Knicks EuroBasket Roundup- 09/12/17: Kristaps Porzingis scores 34 in Latvia loss

OK, let’s get this out of the way: Spain will be the only Knick-laden team moving on to the semifinals of 2017 Eurobasket. The Spaniards handled Germany by the score of 84-72. Willy Hernangomez played sparingly—as has been the custom in these knockout rounds—chipping in a tidy 7 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in 14 minutes.

Willy does figure into a couple of these highlights, though, so that’s nice.

But who cares? Our beloved Team Latvia, the greatest club that has ever or will ever featured Kristaps Porzingis, was knocked out by Slovenia in a chippy, offense-heavy contest, 103-97.

But the youngest scion of Clan Porzingis did not go gentle into that good night. Kristaps unleashed the full majesty of the unicorn, dropping a 34 points on 12-21 shooting to go along with 6 rebounds and a block. He struggled from beyond the arc (1-7) but made up for it inside (11-14) and from the free-throw line (9-11). It was the highest single-game total for any player in this year’s tournament. Beautiful.

Because Kristaps is a true Knick now—meaning the basketball gods hate him—he suffered the indignity of losing to colossal Knicks bust Anthony Randolph, who even hit our dude with a Kevin Garnett-esque arm-yanking cheap shot.

Your bony ass just lost #OAKAAK privileges forever, Randolph.

Pat Riley lackey Goran Dragic cleaned up against Latvia’s guards, scoring 26, while teenage phenom (and Willy’s other best friend) Luka Doncic had 27. Doncic will enter the draft next summer, and is so perfect for the Knicks that there is precisely zero chance the Knicks get a chance to draft him. Seriously, the Warriors have a better chance of drafting Doncic than the Knicks do.

Whatever. Kristaps stepped up like a damn superstar. He lost anyway, because Slovenia has more talent up and down the roster. Such is life on the basketball court.

Spain takes on Slovenia in the semis. Please elbow Anthony Randolph, Willy.