NBA

Defeat for Jakob Pöltl on his anniversary

Jakob Pöltl (l.)(Bild: AP)

Jakob Pöltl celebrated a personal NBA anniversary with a defeat on Saturday. Exactly eight years after his debut in the world's strongest basketball league on October 26, 2016, the Viennese lost 101:112 with the Toronto Raptors at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The center recorded eight points, ten rebounds (the Canadians' best figure), three assists, one steal and one block. The 29-year-old was on the floor for 29:58 minutes.

(Bild: AP)

The Raptors got off to the worst possible start in Minneapolis and found themselves trailing by 14 points after the first quarter. In the end, they never led for 48 minutes. Gradey Dick was the most successful scorer in the second defeat in the third game of the season with 25 points. The Timberwolves were led by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle (24 each).

Second defeat for Denver
The Denver Nuggets, who visited Toronto on Monday, also suffered a 104-109 defeat against the LA Clippers in their second game of the new season. Even 41 points from Nikola Jokic were not enough. LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 131:127 victory over the Sacramento Kings with a triple-double of 32 points, 14 rebounds and ten assists, their third win of the season. Anthony Davis scored 31 points. Defending champions Boston Celtics (124-118 against the Detroit Pistons) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (135-116 against the Washington Wizards) also have a 3-0 record.