By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Atlanta Hawks overcame a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 115-104 at State Farm Arena on Sunday. The win followed a lineup shift where 2024 top pick Zaccharie Risacher was moved to the bench, finishing with seven points in his first game as a reserve since a single appearance early in his rookie NBA campaign. Starting for the Nets, under the guidance of Spanish head coach Jordi Fernandez, Russian Egor Demin and Frenchman Nolan Traore impressed with 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Israeli Danny Wolf reached five off the bench, but fellow Israeli Ben Saraf stayed with the G League’s Long Island Nets.
In a tight battle at the Intuit Dome, the Orlando Magic held off the Los Angeles Clippers 111-109. Starter Tristan da Silva led the German contribution with 13 points, supported by Moritz Wagner’s nine. French Noah Penda and Georgian Goga Bitadze did not play, with German Franz Wagner (left high ankle injury management) remaining out. On the wrong end, Swiss Yanic Konan Niederhauser paired seven points with eight rebounds and four blocks, but French Nicolas Batum did not score, and Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic stayed on the bench.
In United Center, the New York Knicks secured a 105-99 victory over the Chicago Bulls. British forward OG Anunoby provided nine points as a starter. German Ariel Hukporti and Polish Jeremy Sochan added four and two points, respectively, but French Mohamed Diawara did not play, and French Pacome Dadiet was assigned to the Westchester Knicks. Starting for the Bulls, Lithuanian Matas Buzelis got 15 points, and French Guerschon Yabusele dominated the glass with an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double, with French Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery) remaining sidelined.
With Serbia’s Tristan Vukcevic (right hand contusion) joining France’s Alex Sarr (right hamstring strain) on the injury report, the Washington Wizards lost, 129-112, to the Charlotte Hornets in Capital One Arena. French starter Bilal Coulibaly scored 17 points in 17 minutes, including 15 in the first quarter. A French option on the winning side, Tidjane Salaun generated nine points, but fellow Frenchman Moussa Diabate (league suspension) was unavailable, and British Tosan Evbuomwan was with the Greensboro Swarm.
Belgian Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain / left ankle sprain) remained among several key absences, but the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-113, in Paycom Center. German starter Isaiah Hartenstein made all of his six field-goal attempts en route to 13 points, and Serbian Nikola Topic added two points. For the Cavs, Germany’s Dennis Schroder finished with 11 points, with Dutch Tristan Enaruna at the Cleveland Charge.
With Rudy Gobert serving a one-game suspension, fellow Frenchman Joan Beringer made his first career start, registering seven points, but the Minnesota Timberwolves fell, 135-108, to the Philadelphia 76ers in Target Center. Starting as well, Italian Donte DiVincenzo got 11 points. For the visitors, Turkiye’s Adem Bona reached eight points with 4/4 two-pointers.
Elsewhere in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, the Dallas Mavericks snapped a ten-game losing streak by taking down the Indiana Pacers, 134-130, in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Croatian Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain) remained sidelined for the hosts.
Sunday results
Oklahoma City Thunder – Cleveland Cavaliers 121-113
Atlanta Hawks – Brooklyn Nets 115-104
Milwaukee Bucks – Toronto Raptors 94-122
Golden State Warriors – Denver Nuggets 128-117
Indiana Pacers – Dallas Mavericks 130-134
Washington Wizards – Charlotte Hornets 112-129
Los Angeles Lakers – Boston Celtics 89-111
Minnesota Timberwolves – Philadelphia 76ers 108-135
Chicago Bulls – New York Knicks 99-105
Phoenix Suns – Portland Trail Blazers 77-92
Los Angeles Clippers – Orlando Magic 109-111
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 42-13
2. Boston Celtics 37-19
3. New York Knicks 37-21
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 36-22
5. Toronto Raptors 34-23
6. Philadelphia 76ers 31-26
7. Orlando Magic 30-26
8. Miami Heat 31-27
9. Atlanta Hawks 28-31
10. Charlotte Hornets 27-31
11. Milwaukee Bucks 24-31
12. Chicago Bulls 24-34
13. Washington Wizards 16-40
14. Brooklyn Nets 15-41
15. Indiana Pacers 15-43
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 44-14
2. San Antonio Spurs 40-16
3. Denver Nuggets 36-22
4. Houston Rockets 34-21
5. Los Angeles Lakers 34-22
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 35-23
7. Phoenix Suns 33-25
8. Golden State Warriors 30-27
9. Portland Trail Blazers 28-30
10. Los Angeles Clippers 27-30
11. Memphis Grizzlies 21-34
12. Dallas Mavericks 20-36
13. Utah Jazz 18-39
14. New Orleans Pelicans 16-42
15. Sacramento Kings 12-46
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins