By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Orlando Magic snapped a six-game losing streak in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season at the Kia Center on Thursday with a 121-117 victory over the Sacramento Kings. German starter Tristan da Silva led the European contingent with 18 points, two assists, and two rebounds in 32 minutes of action. Georgian center Goga Bitadze contributed six points, two rebounds, and one steal in 13 minutes, while German veteran Moritz Wagner recorded one rebound in five minutes without scoring. French rookie Noah Penda did not play, and German star Franz Wagner remained sidelined for injury management. For the visitors, French starter Maxime Raynaud produced ten points, seven rebounds, three steals, and three assists in 39 minutes. Fellow Frenchman Killian Hayes returned from toe inflammation but exited after two minutes with a hand injury, with Lithuanian star Domantas Sabonis already out.
The Charlotte Hornets halted a seven-game winning streak for the New York Knicks at Spectrum Center with a 114-103 victory. French starter Moussa Diabate filled the stat sheet with two points, five rebounds, four steals, three assists, and a block in 30 minutes of play. British forward Tosan Evbuomwan was away on G League assignment, while French teammate Tidjane Salaun sat out with a calf strain. For the Knicks, British starter OG Anunoby posted 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a block in 39 minutes. French reserve Mohamed Diawara chipped in five points, one assist, and one rebound in 13 minutes. Polish forward Jeremy Sochan, French forward Pacome Dadiet, and German center Ariel Hukporti did not play.
Also, the Detroit Pistons defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 129-108 at Little Caesars Arena. Croatian reserve Karlo Matkovic provided eight points, three rebounds, and one assist for the Pels. Swedish forward Bobi Klintman logged two points and one rebound in three minutes on the winning side.
Thursday results
Charlotte Hornets – New York Knicks 114-103
Detroit Pistons – New Orleans Pelicans 129-108
Orlando Magic – Sacramento Kings 121-117
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. x-Detroit Pistons 53-20
2. Boston Celtics 48-24
3. New York Knicks 48-26
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 45-28
5. Atlanta Hawks 41-32
6. Toronto Raptors 40-32
7. Philadelphia 76ers 40-33
8. Charlotte Hornets 39-34
9. Miami Heat 39-34
10. Orlando Magic 39-34
11. Chicago Bulls 29-43
12. Milwaukee Bucks 29-43
13. o-Washington Wizards 17-55
14. o-Brooklyn Nets 17-56
15. o-Indiana Pacers 16-57
Western Conference
1. x-Oklahoma City Thunder 57-16
2. x-San Antonio Spurs 55-18
3. Los Angeles Lakers 47-26
4. Denver Nuggets 46-28
5. Minnesota Timberwolves 45-28
6. Houston Rockets 43-29
7. Phoenix Suns 40-33
8. Los Angeles Clippers 37-36
9. Portland Trail Blazers 37-37
10. Golden State Warriors 35-28
11. o-New Orleans Pelicans 25-49
12. o-Memphis Grizzlies 24-48
13. o-Dallas Mavericks 23-50
14. o-Utah Jazz 21-52
15. o-Sacramento Kings 19-55
-Top six teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference enter the Play-Ins
x-clinched playoff berth
o-eliminated