In great difficulty with 23 points behind during the 3rd quarter, Oklahoma City, leader in the West, managed to overthrow the Toronto Raptors after two overtimes (135-127). Barely less incisive than usual, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still scored 23 points, distributed 14 assists and grabbed 9 rebounds, and was able to count on the contribution of Luguentz Dort (22 points), Chet Holmgren (22 points) , Josh Giddey (24 points) and Aaron Wiggins (20 points). A magnificent combination for a layup from Wiggins allowed the Thunder to equalize 4 seconds from the end of regulation time, before RJ Barrett (21 points) missed the winning shot for Toronto, overtaken in the second extension.
OKC’s victory allows it to remain in the lead in the West but still with the same record as the Minnesota Timberwolves (35 wins – 15 losses), victorious against the Houston Rockets (111-90) with 32 points for Anthony Edwards. Third (33-15 record), the Los Angeles Clippers keep pace with a success in Miami (103-95) and remain just ahead of champion Denver (35-16), winner against Portland (112-103) with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists from Nikola Jokic.
2023 MVP Joel Embiid will have surgery on his left knee this week, several media outlets including ESPN and The Athletic announced on Sunday, from anonymous sources from the Philadelphia Sixers management, who did not communicate. The Cameroonian, who also holds French and American passports, was hit in the knee on Tuesday when Golden State Warriors player Jonathan Kuminga fell on his leg. After an MRI, the 76ers had advanced a meniscus injury. No length of unavailability has been mentioned for the best average scorer in the NBA this season (35.1 points), whose team is in 5th place in the Eastern Conference but is struggling to shine in his absence.
Arriving at the Phoenix Suns last summer to form a formidable offensive trident with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, Bradley Beal had no feelings about his return to the floor of the Washington Wizards, the franchise where he had spent the last eleven seasons . Beal scored 43 points (16 of 21 shooting) and gave 6 assists, his best performance since arriving in Arizona, after being troubled by back problems. The Suns easily won 140 to 112.
