By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In the latest night of European influence across the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers weathered a historic shooting barrage to secure a 142-126 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum, despite the hosts matching the league’s single-game record with 29 three-pointers on Monday. German veteran Dennis Schroder posted a 22-point, 11-assist double-double after moving into the starting lineup, while Dutch Tristan Enaruna got two points and French Olivier Sarr went scoreless. For the team coached by Finland’s Tuomas Iisalo, French prospect Adama Bal provided a major bright spot by tallying an NBA-best 20 points, but French Rayan Rupert was inactive, and Spaniard Santi Aldama continued his recovery from right knee surgery.
At the Kia Center, the Orlando Magic handled the Detroit Pistons in a 123-107 win despite playing the second leg of a back-to-back without German star Franz Wagner, who was sidelined for injury management of a left high ankle sprain. In his absence, fellow German Tristan da Silva stepped up with 12 points as a starter, supported by nine points from Georgia’s Goga Bitadze and two points from Germany’s Moritz Wagner off the bench, with French Noah Penda logging a brief scoreless showing. The visitors opted to leave Sweden’s Bobi Klintman out of the active lineup.
Elsewhere in the 2025-26 Regular Season, the New York Knicks narrowly edged the Atlanta Hawks, 108-105, at State Farm Arena. British starter OG Anunoby was instrumental in the victory, producing 22 points, but Poland’s Jeremy Sochan, Germany’s Ariel Hukporti, and French duo Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara did not see the floor. On the wrong end, French reserve Zaccharie Risacher had three points.
Monday results
Atlanta Hawks – New York Knicks 105-108
Orlando Magic – Detroit Pistons 123-107
Memphis Grizzlies – Cleveland Cavaliers 126-142
San Antonio Spurs – Philadelphia 76ers 115-102
Denver Nuggets – Portland Trail Blazers 137-132 OT (125-125)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. x-Detroit Pistons 57-22
2. x-Boston Celtics 53-25
3. x-New York Knicks 51-28
4. x-Cleveland Cavaliers 50-29
5. Atlanta Hawks 45-34
6. Toronto Raptors 43-35
7. Philadelphia 76ers 43-36
8. Charlotte Hornets 43-36
9. Orlando Magic 43-36
10. Miami Heat 41-37
11. o-Milwaukee Bucks 31-47
12. o-Chicago Bulls 29-49
13. o-Brooklyn Nets 19-59
14. o-Indiana Pacers 18-59
15. o-Washington Wizards 17-61
Western Conference
1. x-Oklahoma City Thunder 62-16
2. x-San Antonio Spurs 60-19
3. x-Denver Nuggets 51-28
4. x-Los Angeles Lakers 50-28
5. x-Houston Rockets 49-29
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 46-32
7. Phoenix Suns 43-35
8. y-Los Angeles Clippers 40-38
9. y-Portland Trail Blazers 40-39
10. y-Golden State Warriors 36-42
11. o-Dallas Mavericks 25-53
12. o-New Orleans Pelicans 25-54
13. o-Memphis Grizzlies 25-54
14. o-Sacramento Kings 21-58
15. o-Utah Jazz 21-58
-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
y-clinched play-in berth
o-eliminated