By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a high-stakes night of NBA action, the Milwaukee Bucks narrowly escaped with a 118-116 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Fiserv Forum after a potential game-tying bucket was waved off following a video review. Milwaukee managed the win despite Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain) missing his 13th consecutive game in the 2025-26 Regular Season, though the Greek superstar is nearing a return, as confirmed by head coach Doc Rivers on Wednesday. His brothers ranged from Thanasis staying on the bench to Alex continuing his G League assignment with the Wisconsin Herd. France’s Ousmane Dieng provided six points and two assists. The Cavaliers, playing without James Harden, saw a standout performance from Germany’s Dennis Schroder, who moved into the starting lineup to record 26 points and five assists, while Tristan Enaruna remained with the Cleveland Charge.
In FedExForum, the Golden State Warriors overpowered the Memphis Grizzlies, 133-112. With Latvian Kristaps Porzingis (general illness) staying in a packed injury list, European contribution was covered by Dutch reserves, Quinten Post and Malevy Leons combining for 21 points and 16 rebounds. The Grizzlies, led by Finnish head coach Tuomas Iisalo, received eight points from French wing Rayan Rupert, though they remained without Spanish forward Santi Aldama (right knee injury management).
Meanwhile, a battle of conference leaders took place at Little Caesars Arena, where the Detroit Pistons edged out a shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder squad 124-116. German Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus injury management) joined Belgian Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain / left ankle sprain) on the sidelines, but Serbia’s Nikola Topic got four assists and two rebounds. Swedish Bobi Klintman remained assigned to the Pistons’ affiliate, the Motor City Cruise.
Wednesday results
Detroit Pistons – Oklahoma City Thunder 124-116
Toronto Raptors – San Antonio Spurs 107-110
Memphis Grizzlies – Golden State Warriors 112-133
Houston Rockets – Sacramento Kings 128-97
Milwaukee Bucks – Cleveland Cavaliers 118-116
Denver Nuggets – Boston Celtics 103-84
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 43-14
2. Boston Celtics 38-20
3. New York Knicks 37-22
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 37-23
5. Toronto Raptors 34-25
6. Philadelphia 76ers 32-26
7. Orlando Magic 31-26
8. Miami Heat 31-28
9. Atlanta Hawks 29-31
10. Charlotte Hornets 28-31
11. Milwaukee Bucks 26-31
12. Chicago Bulls 24-35
13. Washington Wizards 16-41
14. Brooklyn Nets 15-42
15. Indiana Pacers 15-44
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 45-15
2. San Antonio Spurs 42-16
3. Houston Rockets 36-21
4. Denver Nuggets 37-22
5. Minnesota Timberwolves 36-23
6. Los Angeles Lakers 34-23
7. Phoenix Suns 33-26
8. Golden State Warriors 31-28
9. Portland Trail Blazers 28-31
10. Los Angeles Clippers 27-30
11. Memphis Grizzlies 21-36
12. Dallas Mavericks 21-36
13. Utah Jazz 18-40
14. New Orleans Pelicans 17-42
15. Sacramento Kings 13-47
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins