By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Without Luka Doncic, who is now considered questionable for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks 124–104 at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Slovenian combo guard sat out his fourth consecutive game of the 2025–26 Regular Season due to a left hamstring strain. He is expected to return to the Lakers lineup after the All-Star break, but his status for Sunday’s All-Star Game at Intuit Dome remains uncertain.
Taking over against Doncic’s former team, 41-year-old LeBron James became the oldest player to record a triple-double in league history. With his 123rd career triple-double, consisting of 28 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, he broke the record previously held by Karl Malone.
German reserve Maxi Kleber added five points and one rebound in 12 minutes of play, helping the team coached by JJ Redick improve their season tally to 33–21.
Avdija and Markkanen out
With Israel’s Deni Avdija (lower back injury management) and Finland’s Lauri Markkanen (rest) sitting out for their respective teams, the Portland Trail Blazers prevailed 135–119 over the Utah Jazz at Delta Center.
Two European players started for Tiago Splitter’s side, with Belgian Toumani Camara chipping in 14 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in 29 minutes, while Frenchman Sidy Cissoko recorded eight points and four rebounds. Off the bench, Czech Vit Krejci added 11 points and five rebounds, and French teammate Rayan Rupert registered two points and four boards.
On the losing side, Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk scored 14 points in 17 minutes, while Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic did not play.
Thursday results
Oklahoma City Thunder – Milwaukee Bucks 93-110
Utah Jazz – Portland Trail Blazers 119-135
Los Angeles Lakers – Dallas Mavericks 124-104
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 40-13
2. Boston Celtics 35-19
3. New York Knicks 35-20
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 34-21
5. Toronto Raptors 32-23
6. Philadelphia 76ers 30-24
7. Orlando Magic 28-25
8. Miami Heat 29-27
9. Charlotte Hornets 26-29
10. Atlanta Hawks 26-30
11. Chicago Bulls 24-31
12. Milwaukee Bucks 23-30
13. Brooklyn Nets 15-38
14. Indiana Pacers 15-40
15. Washington Wizards 14-39
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 42-14
2. San Antonio Spurs 38-16
3. Denver Nuggets 35-20
4. Houston Rockets 33-20
5. Los Angeles Lakers 33-21
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 34-22
7. Phoenix Suns 32-23
8. Golden State Warriors 29-26
9. Portland Trail Blazers 27-29
10. Los Angeles Clippers 26-28
11. Memphis Grizzlies 20-33
12. Dallas Mavericks 19-35
13. Utah Jazz 18-38
14. New Orleans Pelicans 15-41
15. Sacramento Kings 12-44
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins