NBA results & standings: Dončić scores 51, Jokić passes Kareem, Giannis’ 31 not enough

By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net

There were nine games on the NBA schedule last night, and European players once again shined brightly.

Luka Dončić led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 142–130 win over the Chicago Bulls, scoring 50 or more points for the eighth time in his career.

The NBA’s leading scorer had one of those nights, shooting 9-of-14 from beyond the arc and finishing with 51 points, 10 rebounds, and just one assist shy of another impressive triple-double.

On the other side, talented Lithuanian Matas Buzelis also had a strong outing with 22 points and six rebounds.

It’s a shame that Victor Wembanyama couldn’t suit up against the Denver Nuggets, leaving fans without a potential classic against Nikola Jokić.

The Serbian center and three-time MVP dominated the Wembanyama-less San Antonio Spurs, leading the Nuggets to a 20-point comeback and a 136–131 road victory.

Jokić finished with another impressive triple-double of 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career regular-season games with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in NBA history.

Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance but wasn’t as fortunate as Dončić or Jokić, as the Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Miami Heat on the road, 112–105.

Antetokounmpo scored 31 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Pelle Larsson led the Heat to victory with 28 points. Kasparas Jakucionis also had a strong game for the winners with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Simone Fontecchio added eight points.

The Orlando Magic needed overtime to beat the Washington Wizards 136–131, with Tristan da Silva producing 26 points, seven rebounds, and two assists for the winning team. Bilal Coulibaly led the visitors with 29 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Alex Sarr added 16 points for the Wizards, while Tristan Vukčević recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Last but not least, Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 104–102 win over the Boston Celtics with 35 points and nine assists, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain with 127 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points.

Detroit Pistons – Philadelphia 76ers 131–109
Indiana Pacers – Phoenix Suns 108–123
Orlando Magic – Washington Wizards 136–131 (OT)
Atlanta Hawks – Brooklyn Nets 108–97
Miami Heat – Milwaukee Bucks 112–105
Memphis Grizzlies – Dallas Mavericks 112–120
San Antonio Spurs – Denver Nuggets 131–136
Oklahoma City Thunder – Boston Celtics 104–102
Los Angeles Lakers – Chicago Bulls 142–130

Eastern Conference

1. Detroit Pistons 47–18
2. Boston Celtics 43–23
3. New York Knicks 42–25
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 40–26
5. Orlando Magic 37–28
6. Miami Heat 38–29
7. Toronto Raptors 36–29
8. Atlanta Hawks 35–31
9. Philadelphia 76ers 35–31
10. Charlotte Hornets 34–33
11. Milwaukee Bucks 27–38
12. Chicago Bulls 27–39
13. Brooklyn Nets 17–49
14. Washington Wizards 16–49
15. Indiana Pacers 15–51

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 52–15
2. San Antonio Spurs 48–18
3. Los Angeles Lakers 41–25
4. Houston Rockets 40–25
5. Denver Nuggets 41–26
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 40–26
7. Phoenix Suns 39–27
8. LA Clippers 33–32
9. Golden State Warriors 32–33
10. Portland Trail Blazers 31–35
11. Memphis Grizzlies 23–42
12. Dallas Mavericks 22–44
13. New Orleans Pelicans 22–45
14. Utah Jazz 20–46
15. Sacramento Kings 16–51