Next defeat for Franz Wagner and the Orlando Magic. James Harden and Daniel Theis, who were traded at the end of the transfer window, have not yet played for their new teams. The NBA on Saturday morning.
The Magic, led by rookie Wagner from Berlin, lost 99-114 at the in-form Utah Jazz, suffering their third defeat in the past four games. Wagner had nine points and four rebounds in more than 33 minutes of play. His older brother Moritz was again absent because of a rib contusion. The Magic are second to last in the Eastern Conference with just 13 wins on the season.
Daniel Theis was still missing from the record-setting Boston Celtics’ 108-102 win over the Denver Nuggets. Theis, who previously played for the Houston Rockets, had been traded to Boston on Thursday in exchange for national teammate Dennis Schröder. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum (24 points) and Marcus Smart (22), defied a triple-double from MVP Nikola Jokic (23/16/11) to win their seventh in a row.
Harden cheered in “Philly “
James Harden, meanwhile, was not yet on board for the Philadelphia 76ers’ 100-87 win. Joel Embiid led the Sixers to their 33rd win of the season in their 55th game with 25 points, five blocks and 19 rebounds. “The Beard”, who came from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade with Ben Simmons among others, was already introduced in a highlight video to the cheers of the fans in “Philly”.
Philadelphia is fifth in the East’s tight top flight. The Miami Heat (36:20) are in front, but the Cleveland Cavaliers (120:113 at the Indiana Pacers) and the Chicago Bulls (134:122 against the Minnesota Timberwolves) are close behind Jimmy Butler & Co. with a record of 35:21.
