By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
French superstar Victor Wembanyama put on a clinic, powering the San Antonio Spurs to their ninth consecutive win in the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season, handling the Phoenix Suns 122–96 at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Wemby was unstoppable, scoring 40 points on 15-of-19 shooting. He also controlled the paint with 11 rebounds, nine blocks, and three assists. “It feels like where I want to be,” he said in his postgame press conference. “Opponents can’t really put me in a situation where I can’t answer, so now all I have to do is not beat myself.”
Serbia’s Nikola Jokic suited up at Toyota Center despite being initially listed as questionable due to a right elbow sprain. He finished with 25 points, 16 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks, and a steal. It wasn’t enough, though, as the Denver Nuggets fell 110–100 to the Houston Rockets.
“We are getting paid to play. I think there is no question,” mentioned 31-year-old Jokic after the game, dismissing travel issues following the NBA Mexico City Game 2026 leading up to Monday’s fixture. “It’s not an excuse. Not available, but we were ready.”
The opposite starting center, Turkiye’s Alperen Sengun, held his own with 20 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, a block, and a steal. Also, Serbian reserve Bogdan Bogdanovic chipped in eight points. Swiss Clint Capela remained sidelined with a right ankle sprain.
“It’s good to play against him,” 24-year-old Sengun talked about facing the Joker. “I got to test myself every time. I got to guard him all night. And we had a couple games in the national team back last summer. It’s just always amazing to play against him.”
Doncic scores 32, Salaun sparks Hornets
The Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to six games behind Slovenia’s Luka Doncic. The 27-year-old playmaker guided them past the Atlanta Hawks 124–112 at State Farm Arena, racking up 32 points, ten assists, eight rebounds, five steals, and two blocks. Georgian reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili threw in 23 more points. “I feel good. It was a good game. Guys kept fighting, just kept knocking shots down. Just being me, playing instinctual, just believing in me,” recapped 27-year-old Mamukelashvili.
Over at Spectrum Center, the Charlotte Hornets beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 124–112. French reserve Tidjane Salaun provided the spark, scoring all of his 14 points in the second quarter alone. “My goal is to be the best player I can be, and to help my teammates win,” stressed 21-year-old Salaun.
The Hornets also got nine points from Germany’s Christian Anderson Jr. and two from Hannes Steinbach. However, France’s Moussa Diabate missed the game with right quadriceps tendinopathy, joining Germany’s Dennis Schroder on the injury list. For the Cavs, Croatian reserve Mario Hezonja scored ten points.
In a matchup of European head coaches, Finnish play-caller Tuomas Iisalo got the better of Serbian manager Darko Rajakovic as the Memphis Grizzlies took down the Toronto Raptors 118–102 at Scotiabank Arena. The Grizzlies lost Dutch Quinten Post when he left without scoring due to a first-quarter head injury.
For the Raptors, Austrian Jakob Poeltl had a strong night inside with 18 points and four blocks. “There’s always room for improvement,” reacted 31-year-old Poeltl. “Just going to keep trying to analyze what I’m doing out there, and trying to go out there again and do it a little bit better.”
“He’s healthier and he’s finding more rhythm and more groove through those games,” added 47-year-old Rajakovic, commenting on the recent performances of his starting center.
Flagg’s 43-point outing
In a high-scoring game at American Airlines Center, Cooper Flagg erupted for 43 points to lift the Dallas Mavericks past the Indiana Pacers 125–122. The winning side also got ten points from Spain’s Santi Aldama and four from France’s Zaccharie Risacher off the bench, while British forward Tobi Lawal did not play. Croatian starter Ivica Zubac tallied 16 points for the visitors.
At Little Caesars Arena, the Washington Wizards lost 122–111 to the Detroit Pistons despite 44 points from Anthony Davis. France’s Alex Sarr was held to four points. Fellow French import Bilal Coulibaly was ruled out due to left hand soreness, joining Serbia’s Tristan Vukcevic on the sidelines.
Finally, the Golden State Warriors blew out the New Orleans Pelicans 138–87 at Chase Center. European players had a quiet night here. Dutch Malevy Leons went scoreless for the Warriors, while Croatian Karlo Matkovic produced four points as a starter for the Pels.
Monday games
Atlanta Hawks – Los Angeles Lakers 114-124
Charlotte Hornets – Cleveland Cavaliers 124-112
Detroit Pistons – Washington Wizards 122-111
Toronto Raptors – Memphis Grizzlies 102-118
Dallas Mavericks – Indiana Pacers 125-122
Houston Rockets – Denver Nuggets 110-100
Phoenix Suns – San Antonio Spurs 96-122
Golden State Warriors – New Orleans Pelicans 138-87
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 76ers 9-2
2. Boston Celtics 8-2
3. Detroit Pistons 7-3
4. Atlanta Hawks 7-5
5. New York Knicks 5-4
6. Toronto Raptors 5-5
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 5-6
8. Miami Heat 4-6
9. Charlotte Hornets 4-7
10. Washington Wizards 4-7
11. Indiana Pacers 3-8
12. Orlando Magic 2-7
13. Brooklyn Nets 2-8
14. Chicago Bulls 1-8
15. Milwaukee Bucks 1-9
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers 10-2
2. San Antonio Spurs 9-2
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 8-2
4. Golden State Warriors 8-3
5. Minnesota Timberwolves 8-3
6. Houston Rockets 8-3
7. Memphis Grizzlies 7-3
8. Portland Trail Blazers 6-3
9. Dallas Mavericks 7-4
10. Denver Nuggets 5-4
11. New Orleans Pelicans 4-7
12. Phoenix Suns 3-6
13. Los Angeles Clippers 2-7
14. Sacramento Kings 1-9
15. Utah Jazz 1-9
-Top 6 teams in each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-7th through 10th place teams in each conference qualify for the Play-In tournament
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