For the second time this season, Jaylen Hoard split a double-double with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. The 23-year-old French winger, who is offered playing time as the NBA season ends on Sunday and his team is eliminated from the race for the final phase, scored 27 points (13/23 in shooting including 1/4 three-pointer) and grabbed 17 rebounds. But he could not win the Thunder, clearly dominated by the Los Angeles Lakers (120-101).
Third game over 20 points for Hoard
Last Tuesday, Hoard had already “doubled”, for the first time in his NBA career, with 24 points and 21 rebounds against Portland. Then, the next day, he scored 23 points against Utah. Finally, a week earlier, the French player had been skilful in rebounding against Detroit, recovering 20 balls.
Theo Maledon did not come into play against the Los Angeles Lakers. Second to last in the Western Conference, Oklahoma City will end its season on Sunday with the Los Angeles Clippers.
17 points for Evan Fournier
Five other French were playing on Friday. Evan Fournier scored 17 points (6/14 shooting including 4/10 three-pointers) with the New York Knicks, clear winners at the Washington Wizards (114-92). Rudy Gobert signed a new double-double with the Utah Jazz (16 points and 12 rebounds). But the Salt Lake City franchise lost at home to the Phoenix Suns (111-105), after entering the last quarter with a 17-point lead.
The other “Frenchies” were more discreet. Killian Hayes scored six points, took three rebounds and delivered three assists in the Detroit Pistons’ clear loss at home against the Milwaukee Bucks (131-101). Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot played a quarter of an hour with the Atlanta Hawks, beaten by the Miami Heat (113-109). He contented himself with a rebound and an assist. Finally Frank Ntilikina only spent five minutes on the floor during the Dallas Mavericks’ big victory over the Portland Trail Blazers (128-78), leaving a blank stats sheet.
