Basketball world champion Dennis Schröder made a perfect debut for the Brooklyn Nets in the North American professional league NBA. The national team captain scored 15 points and 12 assists in his new team’s 123:103 (60:48) win against the San Antonio Spurs just a few days after his signing. “It was great,” enthused Schröder after his first appearance in a Nets jersey. “The victory was of course the most important thing. But the appreciation was also there.”
With three quick assists and two successful long-range throws, Schröder fitted in well after his substitution in the first quarter. Even though the 30-year-old was only signed on Thursday, the Braunschweig native, who previously worked for the Toronto Raptors, put his teammates in the spotlight and was also accurate. Only Cam Thomas (25 points) and Nic Claxton (20) had more points. With 21 successes so far, the Nets can still hope to participate in the playoffs.
Franz Wagner also once again showed his top class for the Orlando Magic. The world champion scored 36 points in the 114:108 (101:101, 52:50) win after overtime against the Chicago Bulls and can have high hopes of participating in the playoffs with the team from Florida. Brother Moritz Wagner scored seven points.
The Dallas Mavericks won their fourth win in a row with a brilliant 146:111 (71:62) against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In addition to superstar Luka Doncic (32 points), Maxi Kleber also impressed with 12 points and 12 rebounds. With 30 wins from 53 games, Dirk Nowitzki’s former team is on course for the playoffs.
Without Isaiah Hartenstein, who was still ailing, the playoff contender New York Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers 111:125 (58:61). Center Daniel Theis was not used in the Los Angeles Clippers’ 112:106 (49:58) win against the Detroit Pistons. The team from California is the second best team in the West with 35 wins.
