By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Posting his 16th double-double in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, Turkish Alperen Sengun put in 23 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and one block in 36:09, with the Houston Rockets overcoming the Chicago Bulls, 119-113, after 35 lead changes in Toyota Center. Swiss backup Clint Capela added two points and two rebounds over 4:47. Starting for the visitors, Lithuanian Matas Buzelis registered 19 points, six rebounds, and two assists, and Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic went for 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal, but French Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery) has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Playing through a left middle finger injury, Swedish Pelle Larsson lasted 27:22 and put in two points for the Miami Heat in a win, 127-121, over the Phoenix Suns in Kaseya Center on Tuesday. Serbian Nikola Jovic also came off the bench for one point, but Italian Simone Fontecchio and Lithuanian Kasparas Jakucionis did not play. Also, Russian Vladislav Goldin featured in the G League with the affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce.
With Deni Avdija (lower back soreness) added to the injury list, the Portland Trail Blazers fell, 119-97, to the Golden State Warriors in Chase Center. French reserve Rayan Rupert generated 13 points, with starters ranging from Belgian Toumani Camara’s six points and French Sidy Cissoko’s three points. Starting for the hosts, Dutch Quinten Post scored three points, but fellow Dutch import Malevy Leons stayed with the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Despite missing Serbian Nikola Jokic (left knee bone bruise) and Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain), the Denver Nuggets edged out the New Orleans Pelicans, 122-116, in Smoothie King Center. On the wrong end, Croatian reserve Karlo Matkovic registered four points.
Tuesday results
Miami Heat – Phoenix Suns 127-121
Houston Rockets – Chicago Bulls 119-113
Milwaukee Bucks – Minnesota Timberwolves 106-139
New Orleans Pelicans – Denver Nuggets 116-122
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 119-98
Los Angeles Lakers – Atlanta Hawks 141-116
Golden State Warriors – Portland Trail Blazers 119-97
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 28-10
2. New York Knicks 25-14
3. Boston Celtics 24-15
4. Toronto Raptors 24-17
5. Philadelphia 76ers 22-16
6. Orlando Magic 22-18
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 22-19
8. Miami Heat 21-19
9. Atlanta Hawks 20-22
10. Chicago Bulls 18-21
11. Milwaukee Bucks 17-23
12. Charlotte Hornets 14-26
13. Brooklyn Nets 11-26
14. Washington Wizards 10-28
15. Indiana Pacers 9-31
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 34-7
2. Denver Nuggets 27-13
3. San Antonio Spurs 27-13
4. Minnesota Timberwolves 27-14
5. Los Angeles Lakers 24-14
6. Houston Rockets 23-14
7. Phoenix Suns 24-16
8. Golden State Warriors 22-19
9. Portland Trail Blazers 19-22
10. Memphis Grizzlies 17-22
11. Los Angeles Clippers 16-23
12. Dallas Mavericks 15-25
13. Utah Jazz 14-25
14. Sacramento Kings 10-30
15. New Orleans Pelicans 9-33
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins