From: apa
Jakob Pöltl is approaching a comeback in the North American professional basketball league NBA. The Viennese hasn’t played a game since December 21st due to back problems, but has been back in full contact training since this week. Before his Toronto Raptors’ 126:128 home defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, the 30-year-old was already working in the hall on the court. A match comeback could take place before next week’s All-Star break.
According to APA information, Pöltl’s back problems are not a structural injury. Nevertheless, the center missed his 22nd game in a row against Minnesota. His team suffered its third defeat in its last four games. The Raptors gave up an 18-point lead midway through the third quarter. At the start of the final period they were still ahead 104:94.
Minnesota star Anthony Edwards turned things around, scoring 13 of his 30 points in the last twelve minutes. At Toronto, Brandon Ingram was the most successful scorer with 25 points. The Raptors are back in action on Thursday. They welcome the Chicago Bulls, who, like several other teams, have recently been traded in the US media as possible interested parties in a swap deal for Pöltl.
Raptors active before transfer deadline
Before the transfer deadline ended on Thursday (9 p.m. CET), according to ESPN, the Raptors had already brought in Trayce Jackson-Davis, a tall reservist from the Golden State Warriors. Toronto temporarily took on veteran playmaker Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers and gave Ochai Agbaji to the Brooklyn Nets. The twelve-time All-Star Paul will not join the team but will be released before the deadline, the US broadcaster reported.
A ten-time All-Star also changed clubs: The Dallas Mavericks gave Anthony Davis along with three other players, including guard D’Angelo Russell, to the Washington Wizards and in return received several selection rights in upcoming drafts alongside Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley III. Top center Kristaps Porzingis, 2024 champion with the Boston Celtics, is going to the Warriors in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield from the Atlanta Hawks.
San Antonio bezwang Oklahoma City
In the NBA top game on Wednesday, the San Antonio Spurs beat the weakened defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 116:106. Keldon Johnson recorded 25 points, Victor Wembanyama contributed 22 points and 14 rebounds. Among the NBA leaders, top star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was missing due to a strained abdominal muscle.
The New York Knicks are currently unstoppable. The 134:127 n.2.V. against the Denver Nuggets was the eighth win in a row. Jalen Brunson was the game’s top scorer with 42 points. A triple double from Nikola Jokic with 30 points, 14 rebounds and ten assists wasn’t enough for the guests from Colorado. Jamal Murray scored 39 points.
The LA Clippers lost 89:121 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Neither James Harden, who is moving from California to Ohio, nor Darius Garland, who is going the other way, were used. The deal was announced on Wednesday.
