The Wagner brothers win again, Dennis Schröder has to accept the next defeat – and Daniel Theis makes a quick debut: Germany’s basketball world champions were in action in the NBA on Friday evening with varying degrees of success.
Franz Wagner was once again the top scorer for the Orlando Magic, scoring 21 points in the wild 103:97 win over the Chicago Bulls. His brother Moritz Wagner contributed ten points; it was the seventh win of the season in the twelfth game for Magic.
An accurate Schröder lost with the Toronto Raptors 105:108 despite a fightback against the Boston Celtics, it was the third defeat in the last four games. Schröder was the game’s top scorer with 23 points, and the World Cup MVP also had seven rebounds and six assists. For the Raptors it was also the first game in the in-season tournament, which was being held for the first time.
Theis’ move from the Indiana Pacers to the Los Angeles Clippers was only officially confirmed on Friday, and a few hours later he made his debut for the new team. The center received ten minutes of play off the bench in the 106:100 win against the Houston Rockets, but only hit one of his four throws from the field and missed two free throws.
Young star Victor Wembanyama worked his way out of his personal low with 27 points – but his San Antonio Spurs’ losing streak continues. The 120:129 against the Sacramento Kings was already the seventh defeat in a row. This meant that the Spurs were eliminated early from the in-season tournament.
Another superstar achieved his season high: LeBron James scored a strong 35 points in his Los Angeles Lakers’ 107:95 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.