The Orlando Magic lost a marathon match in Sacramento and Franz Wagner. Things went better for Daniel Theis and Dennis Schröder, not to mention Isaiah Hartenstein. The NBA on Thursday morning
Even a Paolo Banchero in gala form couldn’t prevent this defeat in the end. The Orlando Magic (19-15) lost 135-138 at the Sacramento Kings – it took two overtimes in California’s capital to decide a winner. Banchero, who set a career best with 43 points but also missed a possible three-pointer on the very last siren to force a third overtime, had carried the Magic through this game together with Jalen Suggs (24).
Even though he twisted his right ankle during the game. While the 21-year-old power forward returned after brief treatment, Franz Wagner was unable to do so. The Berlin native also twisted his right ankle early in the game during an attempted block and had to leave the game after five minutes, six points and two rebounds. Initial x-rays revealed that the injury was not serious. Brother Moritz did not score more than two points from free throws
Monk makes 37 from the bench
The Kings (20-13) were able to rely on Malik Monk (37 points off the bench!) and Domantas Sabonis, who notched up his seventh triple-double of the season with 22 points, 23 rebounds and 12 assists.
Other German NBA pros were also in action – and celebrated successes. Dennis Schröder won 116:111 with the Toronto Raptors (14-20) at the Memphis Grizzlies (11-23). The Canadians ended the first half with a 15:2 run and pulled away in the second half to a 20-point difference. Schröder once again came off the bench and scored a strong 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists
Clippers in the flow – Hartenstein breaks rebounding record
Daniel Theis is still on the upswing with the Los Angeles Clippers (21-12): The 131:122 away win at the Phoenix Suns (18-16) was the Californians’ fourth success in a row and their 13th win in the last 15 games. The visitors had already scored 107 points after the third quarter, with Theis adding six points and three rebounds and Paul George 33 points.
The New York Knicks (19-15) with Isaiah Hartenstein defeated the Chicago Bulls (15-21) 116:110 to record their third home win in a row. Hartenstein set a personal career best with 20 rebounds and the center, who blocked five shots, notched up his third double-double of the season thanks to ten points. “Everyone in this league has been a scorer at some point, and I know I can score when I have to. But in the end, I do what’s good for my team,” said Hartenstein, who was once again in Head Coach Tom Thibodeau’s starting five. It was mainly the usual Knicks protagonists who scored: Julius Randle with 35, Jalen Brunson with 31 and 13 assists
Pacers now hotter than Thunder – Doncic/Irving working
The hottest team in the league is the Indiana Pacers (19-14). After a 142-130 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks (24-10), coach Rick Carlisle’s team is unbeaten in five games. The hosts pulled away with 47 points in the third quarter, for whom point guard Tyrese Haliburton once again excelled with 31 points and twelve assists.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder (23-10) were toppled 138-141 by the Atlanta Hawks (14-19) with Jalen Johnson, who scored a career-best 28 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33/13/8) and his young teammates lost for the first time after five wins in a row.
The Dallas Mavericks (20-15) were also successful without Maximilian Kleber, who injured his toe. Luka Doncic once again played an outstanding role in the 126:97 win over the Portland Trail Blazers (9-24) with 41 points, while the recovered Kyrie Irving also scored 29 points. The backcourt duo already had 52 points at the break – five more than the entire visiting squad.
