Celtics streak continues

Pöltl injured again in Toronto win

Jakob Pöltl is repeatedly plagued by injuries(Bild: AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Jared C. Tilton)

Jakob Pöltl suffered another injury in his Toronto Raptors' win against the Charlotte Hornets. It was the third time this year that the Viennese player had to leave the court early. 

Austria's NBA pioneer Jakob Pöltl is currently plagued by injuries. In the Toronto Raptors' 111:106 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday (local time), the center had to leave the court early for the third time since the start of the year. He dislocated the little finger on his left hand shortly before half-time. In just 14:50 minutes of action, the 28-year-old Vienna native recorded eight points, three assists, two rebounds and a block.

"We lost possession too often before the break and let a lead slip at the end, but were able to convert the important free throws," analyzed Pöltl. It was Immanuel Quickley who kept his cool at the line in the final minute and converted six times. The guard finished with 22 points, while RJ Barrett was the Raptors' top scorer with 23 points.

The Canadians will have to make do without All-Star Scottie Barnes, who broke his left middle finger on Friday. On Tuesday, Toronto will host the New Orleans Pelicans in the last of four home games in a row.

Celtics still unstoppable
The Boston Celtics literally rolled over the Golden State Warriors and won 140:88. The eleventh win in a row was also the third-highest in the club's history. Jaylen Brown scored 29 points and Jayson Tatum, who turned 26, had 27. Stephen Curry remained on the bench for the San Francisco team after the break. The top star had to make do with four points and none of his nine long-range shots found their target.

Oklahoma City Thunder regained first place in the Western Conference with a 118:110 win at the Phoenix Suns. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points. Jusuf Nurkic set a club record for his opponent with 31 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves, the previous leaders in the NBA West, lost 88:89 to the LA Clippers.