There was a chance Nikola Jokic would face Joel Embiid, but the Cameroonian center, who holds a U.S. passport, didn’t show up.
Embiid missed his eighth straight game due to injury, while Jokic led theNuggetsto a dominant 144-109 victory.
The Joker recorded 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, completing his 19th triple-double of the 2024/25 season.
As for other European players, British swingman O.G. Anunoby scored 20 points in theNew York Knicks‘ 95-99 road victory over theBrooklyn Nets.
Deni Avdija recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in thePortland Trail Blazers‘ 116-107 away win over theMiami Heat. Nikola Jovic added 12 points and eight assists, while Pelle Larsson contributed 11 points.
TheToronto Raptorsdefeated theOrlando Magic109-93, with Jakob Poeltl scoring eight points. Paolo Banchero’s 26 points and 12 rebounds, along with Tristan da Silva’s nine points, weren’t enough for the Florida team.
Last but not least, Bilal Coulibaly recorded 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists in theWashington Wizards‘ 111-88 loss to theLos Angeles Lakers. Alex Sarr added 10 points and six boards, Kyshawn George chipped in with eight points and five assists, while Jonas Valanciunas contributed eight points and seven rebounds.
Brooklyn Nets–New York Knicks95-99Miami Heat–Portland Trail Blazers107-116Toronto Raptors–Orlando Magic109-93Denver Nuggets–Philadelphia 76ers144-109Los Angeles Lakers–Washington Wizards111-88
Western Conference
Eastern Conference