By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A heavy contingent of international players impacted the action across Tuesday’s NBA Preseason 2026 schedule, as rotations began to mirror the Regular Season.
Israeli forward Deni Avdija directed the pace for the Portland Trail Blazers, steering his squad to a commanding 110–98 win over the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center. He missed very little with a game-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting. He fell just short of a double-double, securing nine rebounds, four assists, and a pair of blocks in 25 minutes on the floor.
Fellow starter, Belgian Toumani Camara contributed 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block during his 23-minute stint. Off the bench, French Sidy Cissoko added two points, two rebounds, and an assist in 16 minutes, Czech Vit Krejci disrupted passing lanes to finish with a steal, an assist, and a block over 10 minutes, and Polish Jeremy Sochan grabbed three rebounds and distributed two assists in a brief seven-minute appearance.
Sacramento countered with Israeli Emanuel Sharp, who provided 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Rookie Alex Karaban, who carries Ukrainian and Belarusian heritage, logged 26 minutes to collect eight points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while Russian Viktor Lakhin checked in for eight minutes, generating four points and four rebounds. They missed French Maxime Raynaud and Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis.
Wagner spoils Cavs finale
The Orlando Magic captured a 132–116 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who closed their exhibition schedule at the Kia Center.
German starter Franz Wagner set the tone, registering 20 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and two steals. “It’s preseason. Just getting used to everything, get in shape, and hopefully be ready next week,” the 25-year-old forward explained during his postgame media availability.
Bench depth leaned heavily on European talent. German Tristan da Silva lohhed 18 points and five assists in under 20 minutes, while Georgian Goga Bitadze controlled the interior for 14 points and six rebounds. French Noah Penda recorded five points, four rebounds, and two assists. However, Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic received a night off.
The Cavs featured Croatian Mario Hezonja, who finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and two assists in 21 minutes. Dutch Tristan Enaruna also stepped onto the court, securing a steal in seven minutes of play.
Leonard boosts Raptors
At Scotiabank Arena, Kawhi Leonard returned to the floor with a 21-point performance, guiding the Toronto Raptors to a 148–98 dismantling of a depleted New York Knicks lineup. Austrian center Jakob Poeltl joined him in the opening lineup under Serbian head coach Darko Rajakovic, contributing six points and five rebounds in 19 minutes.
“It was great that he had a chance to play with our starters, that everybody was available,” stated Rajakovic, commenting on the Preseason debut of 35-year-old Leonard. “I tried to get those guys as much as possible on the court together so that they figure out the chemistry and spacing. Obviously, just the first game. He was very excited coming into this game, and I thought he did great.”
The defending champions played without British OG Anunoby and the remaining starters. French Mohamed Diawara started and finished with 13 points, three rebounds, and an assist over 29 minutes. Fellow Frenchman Pacome Dadiet came off the bench to log 10 points and a block in 18 minutes.
Hartenstein debut
The competitive drive extended into extra time at the Paycom Center, where the Oklahoma City Thunder squeezed past the Indiana Pacers 114–112. The matchup marked the Preseason debut of German Isaiah Hartenstein, who recovered from an ankle ailment to log 13 minutes, contributing two assists and a rebound.
Spanish Aday Mara changed the game defensively from the bench, scoring ten points and altering shots with three blocks. German Christoph Tilly entered for four minutes to score two points, while Belgian Ajay Mitchell and Serbian Nikola Topic remained sidelined. The victory was tempered by an injury to rookie Otega Oweh, who suffered a leg issue and needed assistance to reach the locker room.
Croatian starting center Ivica Zubac powered up the opposing frontline. He posted a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds on 6-of-7 shooting inside the arc, while adding five assists and three steals.
Doncic rests
Out in Las Vegas, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101–89 at T-Mobile Arena.
The Lakers rested Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic, but Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili tallied 10 points and seven rebounds. For Golden State, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis bypassed the trip to undergo medical evaluations back at Chase Center, while Dutch reserve Malevy Leons recorded two assists in a short six-minute run.
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