By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
British starter OG Anunoby delivered an efficient performance on Friday, registering 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including five three-pointers, to lead the New York Knicks to a comfortable 127-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Fiserv Forum. His versatile stat line featured three assists, three rebounds, and two steals in 28 minutes of play, while fellow European teammates, France’s Mohamed Diawara, Poland’s Jeremy Sochan, and Germany’s Ariel Hukporti provided ten points, three rebounds and two assists, two points and two rebounds, and three rebounds and one assist, respectively. In contrast, French Pacome Dadiet was assigned to the G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks. On the losing end, without Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain) for a 14th consecutive game in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, his brothers ranged from Thanasis reaching one point and one steal to Alex staying with the Wisconsin Herd, while French Ousmane Dieng got three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Following a bizarre 18-minute delay in the third quarter, triggered by a power surge that caused a relentless arena horn and a scoreboard malfunction, the Detroit Pistons ultimately overpowered the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-119 in overtime a tLittle Caesars Arena. Cleared from a recent ankle sprain and staying in the Cavs starting lineup, German Dennis Schroder struggled with ball security, recording 12 points and nine assists against eight turnovers. Dutch teammate Tristan Enaruna did not play. On the winning side, Sweden’s Bobi Klintman remained with the Motor City Cruise.
Finally, the Memphis Grizzlies secured a decisive 124-105 win over the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center, with Spain’s Santi Aldama (right knee injury management) stuck to the injury report. European presence was limited to French Rayan Rupert, who contributed five points, five rebounds, and two steals for the team coached by Finnish Tuomas Iisalo.
Friday results
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 122-119 OT (114-114)
Boston Celtics – Brooklyn Nets 148-111
Milwaukee Bucks – New York Knicks 98-127
Dallas Mavericks – Memphis Grizzlies 105-124
Oklahoma City Thunder – Denver Nuggets 127-121 (107-107)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 44-14
2. Boston Celtics 39-20
3. New York Knicks 38-22
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 37-24
5. Toronto Raptors 34-25
6. Philadelphia 76ers 33-26
7. Orlando Magic 31-27
8. Miami Heat 31-29
9. Atlanta Hawks 30-31
10. Charlotte Hornets 29-31
11. Milwaukee Bucks 26-32
12. Chicago Bulls 24-36
13. Washington Wizards 16-42
14. Brooklyn Nets 15-44
15. Indiana Pacers 15-45
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 46-15
2. San Antonio Spurs 43-16
3. Houston Rockets 37-21
4. Denver Nuggets 37-23
5. Minnesota Timberwolves 37-23
6. Los Angeles Lakers 34-24
7. Phoenix Suns 34-26
8. Golden State Warriors 31-28
9. Portland Trail Blazers 29-31
10. Los Angeles Clippers 27-31
11. Memphis Grizzlies 22-36
12. Dallas Mavericks 21-38
13. Utah Jazz 18-41
14. New Orleans Pelicans 18-42
15. Sacramento Kings 14-47
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins