Nikola Jokic approaches a triple-double in NBA preseason loss

By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]

After two losses to the Boston Celtics in Abu Dhabi, the Denver Nuggets resumed the 2024 NBA preseason and were defeated by the Phoenix Suns 118-114 on Sunday at Ball Arena.

Serbian Nikola Jokic scored 21 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists and one steal in 29 minutes. Croatian Dario Saric came off the bench and played 17 minutes with six points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Slovenian Vlatko Cancar only managed one rebound and one assist in two minutes. The Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic (left middle finger) was left out for the winning team.

The Michael Malone-coached team will host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena on Tuesday before wrapping up its preseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at Target Center.

Queta, Poeltl in double-double mode

The Celtics went 4-0 in the preseason with a 115-111 win over the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden. When the Portuguese Neemias Queta came into the starting line-up, he achieved a double-double with 12 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and a block before the end. Ukrainian Dmytro Skapintsev had one point, two rebounds, two blocks and two steals. For the team coached by Serbian Darko Rajakovic, Austrian Jakob Poeltl achieved a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves were defeated 115-110 by the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Frenchman Rudy Gobert scored nine points with ten rebounds and Bosnian Luka Garza scored six points with five rebounds. For the hosts, British OG Anunoby collected 19 points and German Ariel Hukporti grabbed two rebounds.

The Golden State Warriors made 18 three-pointers and defeated the Detroit Pistons 111-93 at Chase Center. Dutch rookie Quinten Post was responsible for one of the triples. For the guests, Italian Simone Fontecchio had three points and Briton Tosan Evbuomwan had two points. The Swede Bobi Klintman (bruised right calf) was still unavailable.

Avdija debuts

At the Golden 1 Center, the Portland Trail Blazers dominated the Sacramento Kings 105-85. Belgian Toumani Camara scored 13 points, Israeli Deni Avdija scored five points in his preseason debut and Frenchman Rayan Rupert added three points. On the losing side, Ukrainian Alex Len finished the game with 13 points and Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis got nine points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two blocks.

With Serbian Nikola Jovic in the starting lineup, the Miami Heat defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 101-99 at the Kaseya Center. Jovic contributed three points and three rebounds. To keep the lead on the home straight, Swede Pelle Larsson scored six points.

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