Sabonis wins it for the Kings, Clippers spoil Wemby’s block party
· EurohoopsErasing large deficits emerges as a pattern across several NBA teams, including the Sacramento Kings
By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A game-winning effort by Domantas Sabonis sent the Sacramento Kings to a win, 111-110, versus the Miami Heat in Kaseya Center on Monday.
Digging their way out of a 15-point hole in Miami, the Kings improved to 4-3 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
The Lithuanian big finished with a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double alongside seven assists. Ukrainian teammate Alex Len did not score over ten minutes. On the losing end, Swedish Pelle Larsson logged 13 points and Serbian Nikola Jovic had four points.
Despite Victor Wembanyama combining a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double with nine blocks, the San Antonio Spurs let go of a 26-point advantage and lost, 113-104, to the Los Angeles Clippers in Intuit Dome. Polish teammate Jeremy Sochan was forced to an early exit due to an injury in his left thumb. Croatian Ivica Zubac was among the main contributors for the hosts behind a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double.
A late rally by the Phoenix Suns secured a win, 118-116, against the Philadelphia 76ers in Footprint Center. Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic chipped in 15 points and 15 rebounds. Coming off the bench for the Sixers, French Guerschon Yabusele went for 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one block.
With Devin Booker of the Suns being named Western Conference Player of the Week, Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers got the nod in the Eastern Conference. The latter was limited to 14 points on Monday but the Cavs beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 116-114, in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined with a strained adductor muscle.
Monday games
Cleveland Cavaliers – Milwaukee Bucks 116-114
Washington Wizards – Golden State Warriors 112-125
Detroit Pistons – Los Angeles Lakers 115-103
Atlanta Hawks – Boston Celtics 93-123
Brooklyn Nets – Memphis Grizzlies 106-104
Miami Heat – Sacramento Kings 110-111
Chicago Bulls – Utah Jazz 126-135
Houston Rockets – New York Knicks 109-97
Minnesota Timberwolves – Charlotte Hornets 114-93
Oklahoma City Thunder – Orlando Magic 102-86
New Orleans Pelicans – Portland Trail Blazers 100-118
Dallas Mavericks – Indiana Pacers 127-134
Denver Nuggets – Toronto Raptors 121-119
Phoenix Suns – Philadelphia 76ers 118-116
Los Angeles Clippers – San Antonio Spurs 113-104
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 8-0
2. Boston Celtics 7-1
3. Brooklyn Nets 4-4
4. New York Knicks 3-3
5. Miami Heat 3-3
6. Indiana Pacers 3-4
7. Chicago Bulls 3-4
8. Detroit Pistons 3-5
9. Orlando Magic 3-5
10. Atlanta Hawks 3-5
11. Washington Wizards 2-4
12. Charlotte Hornets 2-5
13. Toronto Raptors 2-6
14. Philadelphia 76ers 1-5
15. Milwaukee Bucks 1-6
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 7-0
2. Golden State Warriors 6-1
3. Phoenix Suns 6-1
4. Sacramento Kings 4-3
5. Houston Rockets 4-3
6. Dallas Mavericks 4-3
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 4-3
8. Denver Nuggets 4-3
9. Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
10. Memphis Grizzlies 4-4
11. Los Angeles Clippers 3-4
12. San Antonio Spurs 3-4
13. Portland Trail Blazers 3-5
14. New Orleans Pelicans 3-5
15. Utah Jazz 1-6
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins