By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Responding to the return of Deni Avdija at Capital One Arena, the Washington Wizards snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 115-111 victory versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
“It was more chill. The first time you come back here, it was a little emotional. I found a home in Portland. I’m used to it. DC is a nice memory to have, but it doesn’t change the way I play or the way I approach the game,” said Israeli Avdija in a postgame media session, commenting on facing his former team on Tuesday.
After missing two straight games of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season due to a lower back strain, the 25-year-old forward lasted 30:44 for a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double, plus three assists and one block. “I’m solid. I’m still getting there. Coming back from back stuff is not easy. You’re always a little cautious and careful on your movements,” he described his current status.
French Alex Sarr stood out with a 29-point, 12-rebound double-double, alongside six blocks, three assists, and two steals over 36:07. Back in action from a lower back strain, fellow French starter, Bilal Coulibaly, went for five points, six assists, five rebounds, two blocks, and two steals in 27:36. In contrast, Serbian Tristan Vukcevic (left hamstring strain) remained out.
“I want to be as impactful as I can be defensively. I still want to take more rebounds. That’s a goal of mine. Just getting blocks, being active. That’s what’s really impactful in winning games,” explained 20-year-old Sarr during a press conference following the jump to 11-34, committing to further improvement of his defensive skills.
Featuring alongside Avdija in the starting lineup of interim head coach Tiago Splitter, Belgian forward Toumani Camara reached 16 points, nine rebounds, four steals, and one block in 32:52. French reserves in Rayan Rupert and Sidy Cissoko ranged from ten points, six rebounds, five steals, and one assist over 19:12 to one steal in 15:24.
Knicks and 76ers win
British starter OG Anunoby chipped in 15 points on 5/7 field goals, including three triples, helping the New York Knicks prevail, 103-87, over the Sacramento Kings in Madison Square Garden. French Guerschon Yabusele logged three fruitless minutes, with fellow French options Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara staying on the bench, similar to German Ariel Hukporti.
For the visitors, Lithuanian starter Domantas Sabonis paired an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double with seven assists and one block. Coming off the bench for play-caller Doug Christie, German Dennis Schroder and French Maxime Raynaud finished with four points each. Limited to only five brief appearances since his arrival in July, Croatian Dario Saric did not play.
With Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain) out indefinitely, the Milwaukee Bucks fell, 139-122, to the Philadelphia 76ers in Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Freak’s brother, Thanasis, grabbed one rebound over 2:23, but Alex remained on assignment with the G League’s Wisconsin Herd. For the Sixers, Turkish Adem Bona drew six points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
Late scuffles in Phoenix and Oklahoma City
A narrow loss, 106-102, for Spanish head coach Jordi Fernandez and the Brooklyn Nets opposite the Phoenix Suns in Mortgage Matchup Center. Russian starter Egor Demin tallied 15 points, besides participating in a late scuffle. Israelis Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf reached four and three points, respectively, but French Nolan Traore remained out of the rotation after recovering from an illness.
“Those are just guys protecting each other and fighting for each other. I think they did a great job. You’re not going to let any of your teammates get hit or pushed or anything. Obviously, there are boundaries, and we don’t want anybody to get hurt here, but you’ve seen a few dirty plays, and they call it, they didn’t call it. At the end of the day, I think it got out of hand because of that,” 43-year-old Fernandez reacted to player altercations.
A fight ensued in Paycom Center as well, after the Oklahoma City Thunder took down the New Orleans Pelicans, 104-95. Serbian Nikola Topic (surgery recovery), Belgian Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain), and German Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain) were unavailable, but French Ousmane Dieng got four points. Croatian Karlo Matkovic scored six points on the losing end.
Markkanen in, Nurkic out
Back from an illness, Finnish Lauri Markkanen scored 19 points in 29 minutes for the Utah Jazz in a loss, 115-103, to the Los Angeles Clippers in Delta Center. In contrast, Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk did not play, and Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic (illness) was ruled out after three consecutive triple-doubles.
On the winning side, Croatian starter Ivica Zubac recorded nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists, with French reserve Nicolas Batum at eight points and two rebounds. Swiss Yanic Konan Niederhauser did not get on the board over 5:43, and Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic (left hamstring injury management) remained sidelined.
Tuesday results
Washington Wizards – Portland Trail Blazers 115-111
New York Knicks – Sacramento Kings 103-87
Philadelphia 76ers – Milwaukee Bucks 139-122
Oklahoma City Thunder – New Orleans Pelicans 104-95
Denver Nuggets – Detroit Pistons 107-109
Phoenix Suns – Brooklyn Nets 106-102
Utah Jazz – Los Angeles Clippers 103-115
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 34-11
2. Boston Celtics 29-17
3. New York Knicks 28-18
4. Toronto Raptors 29-19
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 28-20
6. Philadelphia 76ers 25-21
7. Miami Heat 25-22
8. Orlando Magic 23-22
9. Chicago Bulls 23-23
10. Atlanta Hawks 23-25
11. Charlotte Hornets 19-28
12. Milwaukee Bucks 18-27
13. Brooklyn Nets 12-33
14. Washington Wizards 11-34
15. Indiana Pacers 11-36
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 38-10
2. San Antonio Spurs 31-15
3. Denver Nuggets 31-16
4. Houston Rockets 28-16
5. Los Angeles Lakers 28-17
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 28-19
7. Phoenix Suns 28-19
8. Golden State Warriors 26-22
9. Portland Trail Blazers 23-25
10. Los Angeles Clippers 22-24
11. Dallas Mavericks 19-27
12. Memphis Grizzlies 18-26
13. Utah Jazz 15-32
14. Sacramento Kings 12-36
15. New Orleans Pelicans 12-37
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins