By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a defensive showdown at Madison Square Garden, the Oklahoma City Thunder narrowly defeated the New York Knicks 103–100. With a final chance to tie, British forward OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson both missed three-point attempts as time expired. Despite the loss, Anunoby led the European contingent with 16 points, while French prospect Mohamed Diawara chipped in nine. German center Ariel Hukporti and Polish forward Jeremy Sochan saw limited, scoreless minutes, while France’s Pacome Dadiet did not play. The defending NBA champions were physically tested, losing German starter Isaiah Hartenstein to left calf tightness and Alex Caruso to a left hip contusion. They were already missing Belgium’s Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain/left ankle sprain) and Serbian guard Nikola Topic, who was on assignment in the G League.
At TD Garden, the Charlotte Hornets delivered a 118–89 blowout against the Boston Celtics. French starter Moussa Diabate tallied nine points in the win, though his compatriot Tidjane Salaun sat out Wednesday’s game with a left knee sprain, and British forward Tosan Evbuomwan was a healthy scratch. The C’s featured several Europeans, with Bosnian Luka Garza at 9 points, Spanish wing Hugo Gonzalez scoring eight, Montenegrin veteran Nikola Vucevic reaching seven, and Portuguese starter Neemias Queta at two. British big man Amari Williams and Ukrainian guard Max Shulga did not see game action.
Elsewhere in the 2025-26 Regular Season, the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 122–114 at FedExForum, overcoming the fifth straight absence of Israeli forward Deni Avdija (low back injury management). Belgian starter Toumani Camara put in nine points, while France’s Sidy Cissoko and Czechia’s Vit Krejci added four and three points, respectively. The Grizzlies, coached by Finnish Tuomas Iisalo, started Frenchman Rayan Rupert, who registered five against his former team, though Spanish forward Santi Aldama (right knee injury management) remained out.
With injured Croatian Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain) receiving a warm welcome in his return to Intuit Dome, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Indiana Pacers 130–107. The hosts suffered a blow when Switzerland’s Yanic Konan Niederhauser exited with a right foot injury after scoring six points. France’s Nicolas Batum played five scoreless minutes, and Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic did not enter the game.
The Philadelphia 76ers edged the Utah Jazz 106–102 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, powered by 12 points from Turkish starter Adem Bona. The Jazz were severely shorthanded, as Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk remained on the bench, while Finnish star Lauri Markkanen (right hip impingement) and Bosnian center Jusuf Nurkic (nose injury recovery) were both sidelined.
Wednesday results
New York Knicks – Oklahoma City Thunder 100-103
Boston Celtics – Charlotte Hornets 89-118
Philadelphia 76ers – Utah Jazz 106-102
Memphis Grizzlies – Portland Trail Blazers 114-122
Milwaukee Bucks – Atlanta Hawks 113-131
Los Angeles Clippers – Indiana Pacers 130-107
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 45-15
2. Boston Celtics 41-21
3. New York Knicks 40-23
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 39-24
5. Toronto Raptors 35-26
6. Philadelphia 76ers 34-28
7. Orlando Magic 32-28
8. Miami Heat 33-29
9. Charlotte Hornets 32-31
10. Atlanta Hawks 32-31
11. Milwaukee Bucks 26-35
12. Chicago Bulls 25-37
13. Washington Wizards 16-45
14. Brooklyn Nets 15-46
15. Indiana Pacers 15-47
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 49-15
2. San Antonio Spurs 44-17
3. Houston Rockets 38-22
4. Minnesota Timberwolves 39-23
5. Denver Nuggets 38-24
6. Los Angeles Lakers 37-24
7. Phoenix Suns 35-26
8. Golden State Warriors 31-30
9. Los Angeles Clippers 30-31
10. Portland Trail Blazers 30-33
11. Memphis Grizzlies 23-38
12. Dallas Mavericks 21-40
13. New Orleans Pelicans 19-44
14. Utah Jazz 18-44
15. Sacramento Kings 14-49
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins