By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA Preseason 2026 continued on Monday night with several European standouts making an impact across the league.
At State Farm Arena, the Atlanta Hawks edged the Oklahoma City Thunder 113–110 after 15 lead changes. Despite the narrow defeat, Spanish starting center Aday Mara posted a stellar 17-point, 10-rebound double-double. He also dished out six assists and rejected four blocks in 33:11. German reserve Christoph Tilly chipped in five points, two rebounds, and a block in 10:24.
The visitors missed German Isaiah Hartenstein, Belgian Ajay Mitchell, and Serbian Nikola Topic. For the hosts, Estonian Henri Veesaar remained sidelined.
European roster carries Fernandez
At Capital One Arena, the Brooklyn Nets topped the Washington Wizards 131–122.
Spanish head coach Jordi Fernandez handed a starting role to Russian Egor Demin, who provided four points and three assists in 22:18. French Nolan Traore poured in 17 points in just 19:50. German Moritz Wagner filled the stat sheet with 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals in 18:02. Israeli Danny Wolf hit two points in 8:51, while fellow Israeli Ben Saraf registered four assists in 8:08.
On the wrong end, French starter Alex Sarr grabbed nine rebounds and scored six points in 23:00. French reserve Bilal Coulibaly caught fire, logging 19 points, three steals, and a block in 24:16. In contrast, Serbian Tristan Vukcevic remained sidelined.
Historic night in Portland
The Portland Trail Blazers routed the London Lions 119–66 in Moda Center, with the visitors making history as the first British club to play an NBA opponent.
Belgian starter Toumani Camara tallied 14 points and three assists in 15:15, with Israeli starter Deni Avdija at nine points, five rebounds, and four assists in 16:59. Off the bench, French Sidy Cissoko hit 13 points in 15:17, Czech Vit Krejci supplied 10 points, five rebounds, and three steals in 20:54, and Polish Jeremy Sochan fought down low for eight points and eight rebounds in 20:43.
Wemby rests
The San Antonio Spurs sidelined multiple players, including French star Victor Wembanyama, and fell to the Utah Jazz 119–109 at the Delta Center.
With Bosnian center Jusuf Nurkic out, Finnish starter Lauri Markkanen registered 11 points, two steals, and two assists in 18:56 for the Jazz. Off the bench, Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk chipped in seven points and seven rebounds in 19:05.
Wolves prevail in New York
Anthony Edwards put up 26 points at Madison Square Garden to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves over the New York Knicks 122–104. French starter Rudy Gobert threw in three rebounds, three assists, and a block in 22:04. French reserve Joan Beringer added five points and four rebounds in 13:56. Conversely, Italian Donte DiVincenzo is unavailable.
For the defending champions, British starter OG Anunoby logged 15 points and three steals in 21:31. French reserves went from Pacome Dadiet hitting seven points in 13:31 to Mohamed Diawara grabbing three boards in 12:47.
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