NBA Weekly: Jokic and Wembanyama clash in epic duel while Hawks stay red hot

[p]Here is what caught our editors' eyes last week:[/p][h2]Cooper Flagg makes more history[/h2][p]According to the recent NBA Rookie of the Year straw poll, the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/charlotte-hornets/xftMikUg/"]Charlotte Hornets[/a]’ [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/knueppel-kon/YDOmqcSE/"]Kon Knueppel[/a] is the favourite to win the award, which is a remarkable feat considering the season that [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/flagg-cooper/dInnahrB/"]Cooper Flagg[/a] is enjoying.[/p][p]On Friday night, No. 1 pick Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points, notching 51 in the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/dallas-mavericks/YouS3mEC/"]Dallas Mavericks[/a]’ [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/basketball/dallas-mavericks-YouS3mEC/orlando-magic-QZMS36Dn/?mid=QcCY4Hkl"]138-127 defeat[/a] to the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/orlando-magic/QZMS36Dn/"]Orlando Magic[/a]. A sensational achievement from a generational talent.[/p][p]Two days later, he followed that up with 45 points in Dallas' [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/basketball/dallas-mavericks-YouS3mEC/los-angeles-lakers-ngegZ8bg/?mid=bqnW93Xp"]134-128 win[/a] over the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-lakers/ngegZ8bg/"]Los Angeles Lakers[/a], also becoming the youngest player ever to record 45+ in back-to-back games.[/p][embed guid="325df8fd-6a37-4f53-bbba-252883a2bb77" url="https://x.com/NBA/status/2040273581226000455" social-type="twitter" /][p]Flagg is set to become just the fourth rookie since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976 to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, joining names like [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/doncic-luka/pQ4ZBK0o/"]Luka Doncic[/a], Michael Jordan and Larry Bird.[/p][p]Of course, No. 4 pick Knueppel is having a brilliant debut campaign, too. He has set the NBA rookie record for three-pointers made in a season and is leading the NBA in threes, while shooting 43.1% from behind the arc. [/p][p]However, Flagg is playing for a poor team that keep losing, after they began tanking weeks ago. This has surely hurt his chances of winning Rookie of the Year, while Knueppel has shone for a Hornets team that have really improved and are now eyeing a playoff spot.[/p][p]However, his recent performances may have shaken up the race, and Flagg would certainly be my pick for Rookie of the Year.[/p][p][i][b]Tolga Akdeniz[/b][/i][/p][h2]Nikola Jokic & Victor Wembanyama duel[/h2][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jokic-nikola/dUHaiJ5n/"]Nikola Jokic[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wembanyama-victor/jFmM1MFl/"]Victor Wembanyama[/a] combined for 74 points, 26 rebounds, 20 assists, and eight blocks in a clash of MVP candidates during the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/basketball/denver-nuggets-CxvW27TI/san-antonio-spurs-IwmkErSH/?mid=KGeyPxsK"]NBA’s Game of the Week[/a].[/p][p]Despite [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/san-antonio-spurs/IwmkErSH/"]San Antonio[/a] leading for almost 90% of the game, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/denver-nuggets/CxvW27TI/"]Denver[/a] battled back in the fourth quarter and tied it up after Jokic dished it to a wide-open [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gordon-aaron/zy3x0uCs/"]Aaron Gordon[/a] to make it 124-124 with 6.2 seconds left, which sent it to overtime. [/p][p]Up 131-129, Jokic hit a ridiculous fadeaway shot over Wemby off the shoulder, which put his squad up by four. He would later hit a floater in the waning seconds over Wemby once more to put the final nail in the coffin as the Nuggets won their eighth straight game and ended the Spurs’ 11-game win streak.[/p][embed guid="f1055662-4e96-4924-8d00-731e5d12470e" url="https://x.com/NBA/status/2040557275052486861?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Jokic became the first centre in NBA history to record at least 40+ points and 10+ assists in a game without committing a single turnover. He finished with 40 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds, and three blocks (leading all Nuggets in each stat) as the Nuggets also had a total of six players with double-digit points. [/p][p]Wemby finished with 34 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks, and one steal. He has now put up at least 15 rebounds in his last six games and at least 30 points in his last three games.[/p][p]San Antonio (59-19) sit three games behind the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/oklahoma-city-thunder/0fHFHEWD/"]Oklahoma City Thunder[/a] (61-16) for the No. 1 seed in the West, while Denver (50-28) are level with the Los Angeles Lakers (50-27) for the No. 3 seed.[/p][p][i][b]Eric Himmelheber[/b][/i][/p][h2]Controversy continues between Giannis and the Bucks[/h2][p][i][b]"I'm ready to play, but I'm not on the court. I'm ready to play today. Right now. I’m ready.” [/b][/i][/p][p]Before a game against the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/boston-celtics/KYD9hVEm/"]Boston Celtics[/a], the Greek two-time MVP told reporters this.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/antetokounmpo-giannis/zw2Tm2a1/"]Giannis Antetokounmpo[/a] has been sidelined since March 15th due to injury in a disastrous season for the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/milwaukee-bucks/QTBEW6rC/"]Milwaukee Bucks[/a], who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, as they have been too hampered by injuries to their franchise player.[/p][p]But we recall that in February, rumours of the Greek star’s departure reached a fever pitch. To the point where a trade seemed inevitable and stirred up the final hours of the trade deadline. But we also recall that Giannis never said “I want out” in those exact words.[/p][embed guid="5633eadf-d0f0-49ac-8859-92ed88aaaf6d" url="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2040239570457931940" social-type="twitter" /][p]One is starting to wonder what lies are behind this latest episode in a once-idyllic relationship that is only deteriorating. There is no competitive benefit to the Bucks in putting their franchise player back on the court, since the season is a lost cause no matter what.[/p][p]But the NBA, in the midst of a war against tanking, has inevitably launched an investigation following these remarks, and this could prove costly for the Wisconsin franchise. [/p][p]After these statements, one can’t imagine anything other than a departure this summer. Giannis has one year left on his contract with a player option, so the timing seems well chosen. But we thought the Greek star would never leave his longtime franchise, the one with which he won a title. [/p][p]So we’ll have to wait until the end of the season to find out, because as the Greek says, “I don’t know how this relationship is going to turn out.”[/p][p][i][b]Sébastien Gente[/b][/i][/p][h2]Lakers injury depleted after key players hurt[/h2][p]The Lakers entered March as one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 15 of 17 games and riding an eight-game streak. During that run, they beat strong opponents like the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/minnesota-timberwolves/KjBIVQcI/"]Minnesota Timberwolves[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-york-knicks/WCNO4nbt/"]New York Knicks[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/houston-rockets/Sr9PQALP/"]Houston Rockets[/a].[/p][p]It seemed that the team loaded with superstars finally found some momentum.[/p][p]“[b]We have to play with a playoff mentality this time of year[/b],” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.[/p][p]By early April, the Lakers looked like legitimate title contenders. But just when everything started to click, the Lakers were hit with a huge roster blow.[/p][p]Mega star Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain against the Thunder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/basketball/los-angeles-lakers-ngegZ8bg/oklahoma-city-thunder-0fHFHEWD/?mid=2u9nCvtH"]on April 3rd[/a], and the fans won’t see him back on the court for at least four weeks. [/p][p]Doncic, who leads the NBA with 33.5 points per game along with 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists, has been in peak form since joining the Lakers in February 2025.[/p][embed guid="b73c6047-f761-4388-93a8-581801c5ba10" url="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2040188592723521697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2040188592723521697%7Ctwgr%5Ee288712f03313538e4c325b8a1b1481320c01395%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nba.com%2Fnews%2Fluka-doncic-out-for-remainder-of-regular-season-with-left-hamstring-strain" social-type="twitter" /][p]One day later, more devastating news. Sharp-shooter [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/austin-reaves/xlCMu1nk/"]Austin Reaves[/a] was ruled out for four to six weeks with an oblique injury.[/p][p]And suddenly, the Lakers are down two key players, with four regular-season games remaining, and Denver and Houston breathing down their necks, trying to get ahead in the standings and secure a more favourable playoff position.[/p][p]The question is no longer about momentum - but survival: can the Lakers hold their ground until their stars return in what is shaping up to be a ruthless postseason race? Only time will tell, but time is no longer a luxury - it’s a liability.[/p][p]Every game carries enormous weight in a cutthroat, win-or-go-home environment. For the Lakers, the margin between contending for the championship and a first-round exit has become razor-thin.[/p][p][i][b]Michaela Gaislerová [/b][/i][/p][h2]Hawks stay in red-hot form[/h2][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atlanta-hawks/xAO4gBas/"]Atlanta Hawks[/a] are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, going 19-3 since the All-Star break and surging up the Eastern Conference standings. After an up-and-down start to the season, Atlanta has found their rhythm at the right time, driven by sharper defence and a more fluid offence. [/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/johnson-jalen/St5Wx0bR/"]Jalen Johnson[/a] is leading the charge, earning Eastern Conference Player of the Month honours while averaging 22.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists during the run. His all-around impact has taken a leap, giving the Hawks a consistent two-way force who can control the game in multiple ways. [/p][image alt="The Hawks' recent form" id="c017e916-591b-4fae-b300-c63245cf3632" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="a48c54c5-5930-426b-bc1c-7176220fe388" original-width="1200" original-height="1200" /][p]Meanwhile, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alexander-walker-nickeil/UX4LnqkP/"]Nickeil Alexander-Walker[/a] is emerging as a strong Most Improved Player candidate, providing defensive intensity, versatility, and consistency off the bench. [/p][p]Head coach Quin Snyder has also been recognised for Atlanta’s surge, earning Eastern Conference Coach of the Month honours. With momentum building on both the court and the sidelines, the Hawks are quickly turning into a team no one wants to face heading into the playoffs.[/p][p][i][b]Natalie Csurillova[/b][/i][/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/basketball/usa/nba/"]Follow the NBA live with Flashscore![/a][/h2]