By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
Responding to Deni Avdija’s return to Capital One Arena, the Wizards of Washington ended a nine-game losing streak with a 115-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
“It was cooler. The first time you come back here, it was a little emotional. I found a home in Portland. I’m used to it. DC is a good memory to have, but it doesn’t change the way I play or the way I approach the game,” Israeli Avdija said in a post-match media session, commenting on his clash with his former team on Tuesday.
After misses two consecutive games of 2025-26 NBA regular season due to lower back strainthe 25-year-old forward lasted 30:44 for a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, plus three assists and a block. “I’m strong. I’m still getting there. Coming back isn’t easy. You’re always a little careful and cautious in your movements,” he described his current status.
Frenchman Alex Sarr stood out with a double-double of 29 points and 12 rebounds, as well as six blocks, three assists and two steals in 36:07. Returning to action following a lower back injury, fellow French starter Bilal Coulibaly had five points, six assists, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 27:36. On the other hand, Serbian Tristan Vukcevic (left hamstring sprain) remained absent.
Featured alongside Avdija in interim head coach Tiago Splitter’s starting lineup, Belgian forward Toumani Camara had 16 points, nine rebounds, four steals and a block in 32:52. French reserves Rayan Rupert and Sidy Cissoko went from ten points, six rebounds, five steals and one assist in 19:12 to one steal in 15:24.
Knicks and 76ers win
British starter OG Anunoby scored 15 points on 5/7 baskets, including three triples, helping the New York Knicks win, 103-87, on the Kings of Sacramento at Madison Square Garden. Frenchman Guerschon Yabusele recorded three fruitless minutes, with other French options Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara remaining on the bench, as did German Ariel Hukporti.
For the visitors, Lithuanian starter Domantas Sabonis had a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds with seven assists and a block. Coming off the bench for point guard Doug Christie, Germany’s Dennis Schroder and France’s Maxime Raynaud finished with four points each. Limited to just five brief appearances since his arrival in July, Croatian Dario Saric has not played.
With Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain) out indefinitelyTHE Milwaukee Bucks fell, 139-122, against Philadelphia 76ers in the Xfinity mobile arena. The Freak’s brother, Thanasis, grabbed a rebound in 2:23, but Alex remained on assignment with the G League’s Wisconsin Herd. For the SixersTurkey’s Adem Bona had six points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
Late scuffles in Phoenix and Oklahoma City
A close defeat, 106-102, for Spanish head coach Jordi Fernandez and the Brooklyn fillets in front of the Phoenix Suns in the Mortgage Matching Center. Russian starter Egor Demin had 15 points, as well as participating in a late fight. Israelis Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf reached four and three points, respectively, but Frenchman Nolan Traoré remained out of the rotation after recovering from an illness.
A fight also ensued at the Paycom Center, after the Oklahoma City Thunder removed the New Orleans Pelicans104-95. Serbian Nikola Topic (surgical recovery), Belgian Ajay Mitchell (abdominal sprain) and German Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus sprain) were unavailable, but Frenchman Ousmane Dieng had four points. Croatian Karlo Matkovic scored six points on the losing side.
Markkanen enters, Nurkic exits
Returning from illness, Finnish Lauri Markkanen scored 19 points in 29 minutes for the Utah Jazz in a defeat, 115-103, against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Delta Center. On the other hand, the Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk did not play and the Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic (illness) was excluded after three consecutive triple doubles.
On the winning side, Croatian starter Ivica Zubac recorded nine points, seven rebounds and three assists, while French reserve Nicolas Batum had eight points and two rebounds. The Swiss Yanic Konan Niederhauser did not come into play after 5:43 and the Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic (management of a left hamstring injury) remained on the sidelines.
Tuesday results
Wizards of Washington – Portland Trail Blazers 115-111
New York Knicks – Kings of Sacramento 103-87
Philadelphia 76ers – Milwaukee Bucks 139-122
Oklahoma City Thunder – New Orleans Pelicans 104-95
Denver Nuggets – Detroit Pistons 107-109
Phoenix Suns – Brooklyn fillets 106-102
Utah Jazz – Los Angeles Clippers 103-115
Ranking
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 34-11
2. Boston Celtics 29-17
3. New York Knicks 28-18
4. Toronto Raptors 29-19
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 28-20
6. Philadelphia 76ers 25-21
7. Miami Heat 25-22
8. Magic of Orlando 23-22
9. Chicago Bulls 23-23
10. Atlanta Falcons 23-25
11. Charlotte Frelons 19-28
12. Milwaukee Bucks 18-27
13. Brooklyn Tenderloins 12-33
14. Wizards of Washington 11-34
15. Indiana Pacers 11-36
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 38-10
2. San Antonio Spurs 31-15
3. Denver Nuggets 31-16
4. Houston Rockets 28-16
5. Los Angeles Lakers 28-17
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 28-19
7. Phoenix Suns 28-19
8. Warriors of the Golden State 26-22
9. Portland Trail Blazers 23-25
10. Los Angeles Clippers 22-24
11. Dallas Mavericks 19-27
12. Memphis Grizzlies 18-26
13. Utah Jazz 15-32
14. Kings of Sacramento 12-36
15. New Orleans Pelicans 12-37
-The top 6 teams in each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth in each conference advance to the Play-Ins
