NBA results and standings: Avdija shines with triple-double, Markkanen’s 35 not enough

By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net

Victor Wembanyama missed another game for the San Antonio Spurs due to a knee injury, and his team suffered a home loss.

Deni Avdija shined as the Portland Trail Blazers earned a 115–110 road victory over the Spurs at Frost Bank Center. The Israeli forward delivered another All-Star–caliber performance, posting a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead Portland.

With yet another stellar outing, Avdija became just the second player in franchise history to record multiple 25-point triple-doubles.

Another European stood out as well, but without the same result. Lauri Markkanen dominated offensively, though the Utah Jazz fell 123–114 on the road against the Golden State Warriors.

The Finnish star scored 35 points and grabbed six rebounds, shooting 15-of-27 from the field. Svi Mykhailiuk added 10 points for Utah, while on the other end Dutch center Quentin Post had a solid performance with 15 points and five rebounds.

Nikola Vučević also impressed in a losing effort, as the Chicago Bulls fell 112–99 to the Charlotte Hornets. The Montenegrin center finished with 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Matas Buzelis added 17 points and eight boards.

Elsewhere, Darko Rajaković’s Toronto Raptors recorded a convincing 134–117 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, improving to 21–15 in the Eastern Conference standings. R.J. Barrett and Brandon Ingram scored 29 points apiece, while Georgian big man Sandro Mamukelashvili added 13 points and 12 rebounds, falling just two assists short of a triple-double. Vit Krejčí had 13 points for Atlanta, while Zaccharie Risacher finished with eight points and seven rebounds.

Despite another strong night from European players across the league, it was an American star who ultimately stole the show. Jaylen Brown tied his career high with 50 points in the Celtics’ dominant 146–115 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Brown also added five assists and three rebounds, shooting an efficient 18-of-26 from the field. Luka Garza contributed 11 points and six rebounds, while Neemias Queta narrowly missed a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds.

NBA results and standings:

Miami Heat – Minnesota Timberwolves 115-125
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 119-130
Toronto Raptors – Atlanta Hawks 134-117
Chicago Bulls – Charlotte Hornets 99-112
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 110-115
Dallas Mavericks – Houston Rockets 110-104
Golden State Warriors – Utah Jazz 123-114
Los Angeles Clippers – Boston Celtics 115-146

Eastern Conference:

1. Detroit Pistons 25-9
2. New York Knicks 23-12
3. Boston Celtics 22-12
4. Toronto Raptors 21-15
5. Philadelphia 76ers 19-14
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 20-16
7. Orlando Magic 19-16
8. Miami Heat 19-16
9. Chicago Bulls 17-18
10. Atlanta Hawks 17-20
11. Milwaukee Bucks 15-20
12. Charlotte Hornets 12-23
13. Brooklyn Nets 10-22
14. Washington Wizards 9-24
15. Indiana Pacers 6-29

Western Conference:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 30-5
2. San Antonio Spurs 25-10
3. Denver Nuggets 23-11
4. Houston Rockets 21-11
5. Los Angeles Lakers 21-11
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 22-13
7. Phoenix Suns 20-14
8. Golden State Warriors 19-17
9. Portland Trail Blazers 16-20
10. Memphis Grizzlies 15-19
11. Dallas Mavericks 13-23
12. LA Clippers 12-22
13. Utah Jazz 12-22
14. Sacramento Kings 8-27
15. New Orleans Pelicans 8-28