NBA

18th Raptors loss in 20th game of the season without Pöltl

Toronto loses again.(Bild: AP)

Still without Jakob Pöltl, who is recovering from finger surgery, the Toronto Raptors lost 103-123 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Friday (local time). The 28-year-old center from Vienna, who also had to sit out at the start of the year due to an ankle injury, missed his 20th game of the current season. The Canadians have been beaten in 18 of these games.

The Raptors suffered their ninth consecutive defeat against the number one team in the Western Conference. They have not won since Pöltl was injured in the 111-106 win over the Charlotte Hornets on March 3. The best scorers against Oklahoma City were rookie Gradey Dick with 21 points and Kelly Olynyk, who replaced the homegrown NBA pioneer at the center position, with 16 points. Toronto will visit the Washington Wizards on Saturday (today).

The Boston Celtics left nothing to be desired at stragglers Detroit Pistons. The NBA leaders, led by Jaylen Brown with 33 points, prevailed 129-102 and won for the eighth time in a row. The Los Angeles Lakers won a thrilling duel with the Philadelphia 76ers. Anthony Davis stood out in the 101:94 victory with 23 points and 19 rebounds. LeBron James contributed 20 points.