By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
Rebounding from a bruised left hip that kept him sidelined for eight straight games during the 2025-26 NBA regular season, Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic scored nine points in just under 23 minutes for the Los Angeles Clippers in a defeat, 109-106, against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Saturday. Croatian Ivica Zubac had a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, Frenchman Nicolas Batum produced three points and Swiss Yanic Konan Niederhauser did not play. On the winning side, Frenchman Rudy Gobert and Italian Donte DiVincenzo were held to five and four points respectively, but Frenchman Joan Beringer did not leave the bench.
After return from illness at the top of a back to backthe Latvian Kristaps Porzingis (reconditioning return to competition) was sidelined, but the Atlanta Falcons won, 131-116, against the Wizards of Washington in the Capital One Arena. Czech reserve Vit Krejci contributed 14 points, including four three-pointers, and French starter Zaccharie Risacher had seven points, along with Serbian Nikola Djurisic and Spaniard Eli Ndiaye for the G League’s College Park Skyhawks. The hosts missed Frenchman Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique sprain) and Alex Sarr (right adductor strain), but Serbian Tristan Vukcevic played with a bruised right knee for 18 points.
Although Lithuania’s Domantas Sabonis (partial left knee meniscus tear) and Germany’s Dennis Schroder (right hip flexor sprain) remain on the injured list, Kings of Sacramento I walked past the Miami Heat127-111, behind a 42-point performance from Zach LaVine. Frenchman Maxime Raynaud started and recorded a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, but Croatian Dario Saric did not play. For the HeatItalian Simone Fontecchio and Serbian Nikola Jovic reached 20 and 12 points, but Swede Pelle Larsson (right hip flexor tightness) was absent, along with Sioux Falls Skyforce regulars Russian Vladislav Goldin and Lithuanian Kasparas Jakucionis.
Meanwhile, Spaniard Jordi Fernández guided the Brooklyn fillets to a 119-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Barclays Center. Russian starter Egor Demin scored eight points, Israeli reserves Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf added seven points each, but Frenchman Nolan Traore was assigned to Long Island. Nets. On the bad side, Croatian Karlo Matkovic scored three points.
Without Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain), the Milwaukee Bucks fell, 124-112, against Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. His brother Thanasis had seven points, two rebounds and a steal, but Alex remained with the Wisconsin Herd. Swede Bobi Klintman (left ankle sprain) remained absent during the Pistons.
Turkey’s Alperen Sengun (illness) missed a second straight game, pushing Switzerland’s Clint Capela to start, with eight points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal with the Houston Rockets losing, 122-109, against Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center.
In Rocket Arena, Dutch Quinten Post started for the understrength Warriors of the Golden Statetotaling 12 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and three assists in a victory, 99-94, against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Saturday results
Brooklyn Nets – New Orleans Pelicans 119-101
Wizards of Washington – Atlanta Falcons 116-131
Cleveland Cavaliers – Warriors of the Golden State 94-99
Detroit Pistons – Milwaukee Bucks 124-112
Miami Heat – Kings of Sacramento 111-127
Minnesota Timberwolves – Los Angeles Clippers 109-106
Dallas Mavericks – Houston Rockets 122-109
Ranking
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 19-5
2. New York Knicks 15-7
3. Toronto Raptors 15-9
4. Boston Celtics 14-9
5. Magic of Orlando 14-9
6. Philadelphia 76ers 13-9
7. Miami Heat 14-10
8. Cleveland Cavaliers 14-11
9. Atlanta Falcons 14-11
10. Chicago Bulls 9-13
11. Milwaukee Bucks 10-15
12. Charlotte Frelons 7-16
13. Brooklyn Tenderloins 6-17
14. Indiana Pacers 5-18
15. Wizards of Washington 3-19
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 22-1
2. Denver Nuggets 16-6
3. Los Angeles Lakers 16-6
4. Houston Rockets 15-6
5. San Antonio Spurs 15-7
6. Minnesota Wolves 15-8
7. Phoenix Suns 13-10
8. Golden State Warriors 12-12
9. Memphis Grizzlies 10-13
10. Portland Trail Blazers 9-14
11. Utah Jazz 8-14
12. Dallas Mavericks 9-16
13. Sacramento Kings 6-17
14. Los Angeles Clippers 6-18
15. New Orleans Pelicans 3-21
-The top 6 teams in each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth in each conference advance to the Play-Ins
