The good start to the season – two victories in the first two matches – already seems very far away for Atlanta in the NBA. The Hawks conceded a fourth loss in a row Friday against the Sacramento Kings (115-123) and now occupy tenth place in the Eastern Conference.
Aligned in the basic five by his coach Quin Snyder, Clint Capela delivered his second best offensive performance of the season. The Genevan scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds during the 29 minutes he spent on the floor. As is often the case, Atlanta’s top scorer is Trae Young (25 points).
The last undefeated team in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers continued their perfect start to the season (6 wins) with a success against the Orlando Magic (120-109), reunion after the clash between the two teams in the first round of the play-offs in the spring (Cleveland 4-3 victory).
The “Cavs” once again distributed the points with Darius Garland (25 points) and Donovan Mitchell (22 points) in particular.
Jalen Suggs had a complete game (28 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) for the Magic, the day after the announcement of the long injury of the team’s captain Paolo Banchero.
Banchero, who averaged 29 points since the start of the season, suffered a torn abdominal muscle for an unspecified absence. It will be re-examined in four to six weeks.
The Oklahoma City Thunder easily beat Portland (137-114) with 30 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to sign a fifth success.
