By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
With Nikola Jokić sidelined by injury, and stars such as Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo not on the schedule, Nikola Vučević stole the spotlight among European players.
The Montenegrin center led the Chicago Bulls to a dramatic 128–126 win over the Utah Jazz at the United Center, sealing the victory with a game-winning basket with four seconds remaining.
Vučević finished the night with 35 points, seven rebounds and five assists, overshadowing Brice Sensabaugh’s 43-point performance for Utah. Matas Buzelis added seven points for the Bulls, while the Jazz were without Lauri Markkanen.
Elsewhere, Darko Rajaković’s Toronto Raptors defeated the Indiana Pacers on the road, 115–101. Egor Demin recorded 17 points and five assists for the Brooklyn Nets, but it wasn’t enough in a 116–113 road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, for whom Karlo Matković scored eight points.
Despite Jokić’s absence, the Denver Nuggets earned a 118–109 road win over the Dallas Mavericks, with Jamal Murray pouring in 33 points. Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a convincing 133–107 victory in Philadelphia, finishing with 35 points against the 76ers.
The Sacramento Kings beat the New York Knicks 112–101, with Maxime Raynaud contributing 10 points and four rebounds. On the losing side, OG Anunoby scored 15 points, while Guerschon Yabusele added two.
Finally, the LA Clippers took care of the Washington Wizards at home, 119–105. Yanic Niederhauser posted 16 points and five rebounds, with Nicolas Batum adding nine points and eight boards. For Washington, Tristan Vukčević scored 10 points, while Alex Sarr finished with four.
Indiana Pacers – Toronto Raptors 101–115
Philadelphia 76ers – Cleveland Cavaliers 107–133
Chicago Bulls – Utah Jazz 128–126
New Orleans Pelicans – Brooklyn Nets 116–113
Dallas Mavericks – Denver Nuggets 109–118
Sacramento Kings – New York Knicks 112–101
Los Angeles Clippers – Washington Wizards 119–105
Eastern Conference:
- Detroit Pistons 28–10
- New York Knicks 25–15
- Boston Celtics 24–15
- Toronto Raptors 25–17
- Philadelphia 76ers 22–17
- Orlando Magic 22–18
- Cleveland Cavaliers 23–19
- Miami Heat 21–19
- Atlanta Hawks 20–22
- Chicago Bulls 19–21
- Milwaukee Bucks 17–23
- Charlotte Hornets 14–26
- Brooklyn Nets 11–27
- Washington Wizards 10–29
- Indiana Pacers 9–32
Western Conference:
- Oklahoma City Thunder 34–7
- Denver Nuggets 28–13
- San Antonio Spurs 27–13
- Minnesota Timberwolves 27–14
- Los Angeles Lakers 24–14
- Houston Rockets 23–14
- Phoenix Suns 24–16
- Golden State Warriors 22–19
- Portland Trail Blazers 19–22
- Memphis Grizzlies 17–22
- LA Clippers 17–23
- Dallas Mavericks 15–26
- Utah Jazz 14–26
- Sacramento Kings 11–30
- New Orleans Pelicans 10–33