By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA Preseason 2026 continued on Monday with a five-game slate, offering a first glimpse at revamped rosters across the league. The games featured established European superstars, emerging rookies, and a few notable absences due to early-season injuries.
At the Golden 1 Center, the Los Angeles Lakers cruised to a comfortable 127–103 victory over the Sacramento Kings. They were powered by a strong early stretch from Luka Doncic. The Slovenian superstar needed just under 16 minutes on the floor to assert his dominance. He led the Lakers’ offense before resting for the night, finishing with 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including three triples, while adding three assists, two rebounds, and two steals.
His Georgian teammate Sandro Mamukelashvili provided solid minutes off the bench, showing versatility with eight points, five assists, two steals, and one rebound. His play helped maintain a safe lead despite his side missing several players, including Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, who sat out with minor injuries.
For the hosts, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis assumed his familiar role in the starting lineup. In limited action, he logged four points, three rebounds, and three assists. The Kings got 24 minutes from French Maxime Raynaud, who had 12 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Lasting 30 minutes, Israeli Emanuel Sharp chipped in seven points, two steals, two assists, and one rebound. First-generation American with parents from Ukraine and Belarus Alex Karaban went for three points, three rebounds, two steals, and two assists.
Hukporti scary injury
The Philadelphia 76ers made a resounding statement at the Xfinity Mobile Arena by beating the defending champion New York Knicks in a 120–97 blowout. Heavyweight stars Joel Embiid and LeBron James watched from the sidelines, and injured Turkish Adem Bona was unavailable as well.
The friendly game took a concerning turn when German center Ariel Hukporti suffered an unfortunate setback. After earning the starting nod, his night ended after just five minutes on the floor following an awkward fall. Initial fears suggested a potential Achilles injury, and his teammates had to assist him off the court. He finished his brief stint with a single assist. Meanwhile, French wing Rayan Rupert picked up nearly 25 minutes, reaching six points, four rebounds, and one assist.
For the Knicks, British forward OG Anunoby had 12 points and six rebounds. They also leaned on their French contingent off the bench. Mohamed Diawara impressed with eight points and five rebounds, while fellow countryman Pacome Dadiet added five points.
Another French connection
At the Fiserv Forum, the Minnesota Timberwolves showcased their extensive frontline depth to down the Milwaukee Bucks 116–97. Veteran center Rudy Gobert placed in the starting lineup with six points and seven rebounds in 16:37. He was backed up by an explosive performance from French reserve Joan Beringer, who chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds in just over 15 minutes. Italian guard Donte DiVincenzo remained sidelined as he targets a late-season return.
The hosts chose to sit their youthful continental trio, French Ousmane Dieng, Lithuanian Kasparas Jakucionis, and Serbian Bogoljub Markovic. However, Italian prospect Nate Ament maximized his floor time, logging eight points and two rebounds.
A shootout took place at the State Farm Arena, where the Memphis Grizzlies outlasted the Atlanta Hawks 132–123. Starting for Finnish head coach Tuomas Iisalo, Dutch center Quinten Post knocked down two triples en route to an eight-point, four-rebound performance. Atlanta’s Estonian Henri Veesaar missed the contest due to injury.
Finally, the Detroit Pistons edged the Phoenix Suns 109–107 in a tightly contested battle at the Little Caesars Arena.
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