By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With Kevin Durant surpassing Michael Jordan for fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, the Houston Rockets edged out the Miami Heat, 123-122, in Toyota Center. Turkish starter Alperen Sengun overcame back tightness to put in a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Swiss backup Clint Capela stayed on the bench. Starting for the visitors, Italy’s Simone Fontecchio (back spasms) and Sweden’s Pelle Larsson (right foot contusion) produced 21 and 19 points, respectively, after being initially listed as questionable, while Lithuania’s Kasparas Jakucionis and Serbia’s Nikola Jovic were held to scoreless showings off the bench, and Russia’s Vladislav Goldin was assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The San Antonio Spurs continued their historic surge in the 2025-26 Regular Season, leading wire-to-wire in a 134–119 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Frost Bank Center. Despite being a game-time decision with a sore right ankle, French Victor Wembanyama anchored the win with 20 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in 26 minutes. The victory moves San Antonio to 53–18, their best mark since 2017, behind 55% shooting and defensive dominance. While the Pacers struggle in last place following a season-ending injury to Croatian Ivica Zubac (right knee surgery), the Spurs have won 21 of their last 23 contests.
Fellow French starter Moussa Diabate posted an 11-point, 14-rebound double-double to go with three assists, two blocks, and one steal, helping the Charlotte Hornets take down the Memphis Grizzlies, 124-101, in Spectrum Center. However, France’s Tidjane Salaun (left calf strain) remained sidelined, with British Tosan Evbuomwan at the G League’s Greensboro Swarm. For the team coached by Finnish Tuomas Iisalo, France’s Rayan Rupert was sent to the Memphis Hustle, and Spain’s Santi Aldama (right knee surgery) remained out.
French reserve Zaccharie Risacher chipped in 17 points as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Golden State Warriors, 126-110, in State Farm Arena. In the second leg of a back-to-back for the visitors, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis (left low back tightness) sat, but Dutch Quinten Post (right foot injury management) returned and started for eight points, and Dutch Malevy Leons (right wrist sprain) remained available for two points, while Turkish Omer Yurtseven got two points.
The Los Angeles Clippers secured an overtime win, 138-131, against the Dallas Mavericks in American Airlines Center. French reserve Nicolas Batum tallied six points, but Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic did not play, and Switzerland’s Yanic Konan Niederhauser (right Lisfranc ligament tear) remained out. For the Mavs, Greek John Poulakidas was on assignment with the Texas Legends.
Despite missing Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee hyperextension bone bruise), the Milwaukee Bucks prevailed, 108-105, over the Phoenix Suns in Mortgage Matchup Center. French starter Ousmane Dieng threw in 11 points, but Greek Thanasis Antetokounmpo did not play, and his younger brother Alex remained with the Wisconsin Herd.
Turkish starter Adem Bona tallied 16 points as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Utah Jazz, 126-116, in Delta Center. With Finnish Lauri Markkanen (right hip impingement) and Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic (nose injury recovery) sidelined by the hosts, Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk remained out of the rotation.
In Smoothie King Center, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 111-106. Germany’s Dennis Schroder contributed one point, but Dutch Tristan Enaruna and French Olivier Sarr were both assigned to the Cleveland Charge. For the hosts, Croatian Karlo Matkovic ended up with six points.
Saturday results
Washington Wizards – Oklahoma City Thunder 111-132
Charlotte Hornets – Memphis Grizzlies 124-101
Orlando Magic – Los Angeles Lakers 104-105
New Orleans Pelicans – Cleveland Cavaliers 106-111
Atlanta Hawks – Golden State Warriors 126-110
Houston Rockets – Miami Heat 123-122
San Antonio Spurs – Indiana Pacers 134-119
Dallas Mavericks – Los Angeles Clippers 131-138 OT (122-122)
Utah Jazz – Philadelphia 76ers 116-126
Phoenix Suns – Milwaukee Bucks 105-108
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. x-Detroit Pistons 51-19
2. Boston Celtics 47-23
3. New York Knicks 46-25
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 44-27
5. Toronto Raptors 39-30
6. Atlanta Hawks 39-32
7. Philadelphia 76ers 39-32
8. Orlando Magic 38-32
9. Miami Heat 38-33
10. Charlotte Hornets 37-34
11. Milwaukee Bucks 29-41
12. Chicago Bulls 28-42
13. o-Brooklyn Nets 17-53
14. o-Washington Wizards 16-54
15. o-Indiana Pacers 15-56
Western Conference
1. x-Oklahoma City Thunder 56-15
2. x-San Antonio Spurs 53-18
3. Los Angeles Lakers 46-25
4. Houston Rockets 43-27
5. Denver Nuggets 43-28
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 43-28
7. Phoenix Suns 39-32
8. Los Angeles Clippers 35-36
9. Portland Trail Blazers 35-36
10. Golden State Warriors 33-38
11. New Orleans Pelicans 25-47
12. Memphis Grizzlies 24-46
13. Dallas Mavericks 23-48
14. o-Utah Jazz 21-50
15. o-Sacramento Kings 18-53
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins
x-clinched playoff berth
o-eliminated