NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder lost a victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves that was believed to be certain in the last minute.
At 107:112, the defending champion led by German-American basketball professional Isaiah Hartenstein gave up a lead late on. 40 seconds before the end of the game, OKC was still in the lead thanks to the once again strong NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35 points).
It was the third defeat this season for the leaders of the Western Conference, the second in the past three games after Oklahoma last lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup semifinals.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks’ winning streak also ended. After seven successes including the NBA Cup triumph, the second place in the Eastern Conference had to admit defeat 107:116 against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden.
After the loss in the Cup final, Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio to a 126:98 defeat of the Atlanta Hawks. The French star player, who is still playing in doses after an injury break, scored 26 points in just 21 minutes. It was Wembanyama’s 100th consecutive game with at least one block – a mark that has only been achieved twice before in NBA history: by Dikembe Mutombo (116) and Patrick Ewing (145).
(SID) Foto: Imago
