By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Bouncing back from a left hip contusion, which sidelined him for eight straight games in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic netted nine points in just under 23 minutes for the Los Angeles Clippers in a loss, 109-106, to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Target Center on Saturday. Croatian Ivica Zubac posted a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double, French Nicolas Batum produced three points, and Swiss Yanic Konan Niederhauser did not play. On the winning side, French Rudy Gobert and Italian Donte DiVincenzo were held to five and four points, respectively, but French Joan Beringer did not leave the bench.
After returning from illness at the top of a back-to-back, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis (return-to-competition reconditioning) was sidelined, but the Atlanta Hawks prevailed, 131-116, against the Washington Wizards in Capital One Arena. Czech reserve Vit Krejci contributed 14 points, including four three-pointers, and French starter Zaccharie Risacher had seven points, with Serbian Nikola Djurisic and Spanish Eli Ndiaye at the G League’s College Park Skyhawks. The hosts missed French Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique strain) and Alex Sarr (right adductor strain), but Serbian Tristan Vukcevic played through a right knee contusion for 18 points.
Despite Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis (left knee partial meniscus tear) and German Dennis Schroder (right hip flexor strain) staying on the injury list, the Sacramento Kings strolled past the Miami Heat, 127-111, behind a 42-point showing by Zach LaVine. French Maxime Raynaud started and posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, but Croatian Dario Saric did not play. For the Heat, Italian Simone Fontecchio and Serbian Nikola Jovic reached 20 and 12 points, but Swedish Pelle Larsson (right hip flexor tightness) was out, alongside Sioux Falls Skyforce regulars, Russian Vladislav Goldin and Lithuanian Kasparas Jakucionis.
Meanwhile, Spanish Jordi Fernandez guided the Brooklyn Nets to a 119-101 victory versus the New Orleans Pelicans in Barclays Center. Russian starter Egor Demin put in eight points, Israeli reserves Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf added seven points each, but French Nolan Traore was assigned to the Long Island Nets. On the wrong end, Croatian Karlo Matkovic registered three points.
Without Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain), the Milwaukee Bucks fell, 124-112, to the Detroit Pistons in Little Caesars Arena. His brother Thanasis went for seven points, two rebounds, and one steal, but Alex stayed with the Wisconsin Herd. Swedish Bobi Klintman (left ankle sprain) remained sidelined for the Pistons.
Turkish Alperen Sengun (illness) sat out a second straight game, pushing Swiss Clint Capela to a start, packing eight points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and one steal with the Houston Rockets losing, 122-109, to the Dallas Mavericks in American Airlines Center.
In Rocket Arena, Dutch Quinten Post started for the undermanned Golden State Warriors, tallying 12 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and three assists in a win, 99-94, over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Saturday results
Brooklyn Nets – New Orleans Pelicans 119-101
Washington Wizards – Atlanta Hawks 116-131
Cleveland Cavaliers – Golden State Warriors 94-99
Detroit Pistons – Milwaukee Bucks 124-112
Miami Heat – Sacramento Kings 111-127
Minnesota Timberwolves – Los Angeles Clippers 109-106
Dallas Mavericks – Houston Rockets 122-109
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 19-5
2. New York Knicks 15-7
3. Toronto Raptors 15-9
4. Boston Celtics 14-9
5. Orlando Magic 14-9
6. Philadelphia 76ers 13-9
7. Miami Heat 14-10
8. Cleveland Cavaliers 14-11
9. Atlanta Hawks 14-11
10. Chicago Bulls 9-13
11. Milwaukee Bucks 10-15
12. Charlotte Hornets 7-16
13. Brooklyn Nets 6-17
14. Indiana Pacers 5-18
15. Washington Wizards 3-19
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 22-1
2. Denver Nuggets 16-6
3. Los Angeles Lakers 16-6
4. Houston Rockets 15-6
5. San Antonio Spurs 15-7
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-8
7. Phoenix Suns 13-10
8. Golden State Warriors 12-12
9. Memphis Grizzlies 10-13
10. Portland Trail Blazers 9-14
11. Utah Jazz 8-14
12. Dallas Mavericks 9-16
13. Sacramento Kings 6-17
14. Los Angeles Clippers 6-18
15. New Orleans Pelicans 3-21
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins