Historic Victory Marks Dubai's EuroLeague Debut
Dubai Basketball celebrated their inaugural EuroLeague home game in emphatic fashion, defeating Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 89-76 in front of 6,063 enthusiastic fans on September 30, 2025. The victory marks a significant milestone for the United Arab Emirates franchise as they begin their journey in European basketball's premier competition.
The home side established dominance early, racing to a commanding 28-18 lead after the first quarter. While Partizan managed to keep the second quarter competitive, outscoring Dubai 22-19, the hosts never relinquished control. Dubai's balanced offensive attack and superior three-point shooting proved to be the difference in this Round 1 encounter, as they extended their advantage through the second half to secure a comfortable 13-point victory.
Bertans Leads Offensive Charge from Beyond the Arc
Davis Bertans delivered a masterclass in long-range shooting, finishing with a game-high 20 points on an impressive 6-of-8 shooting from the field, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. The Latvian sharpshooter's efficiency rating of 26 was the highest of any player on the court, and his plus-minus of +16 demonstrated his impact during his 26 minutes of action. Bertans also contributed four assists, three rebounds, and a steal, showcasing his all-around contribution to Dubai's victory.
His ability to stretch the floor created numerous opportunities for his teammates, and Partizan's defense had no answer for his shooting prowess. Every time the Serbian side attempted to mount a comeback, Bertans seemed to respond with a clutch three-pointer that restored Dubai's comfortable cushion. His performance set the tone for Dubai's perimeter-oriented offensive approach throughout the contest.
Musa and Kabengele Provide Crucial Support
Dzanan Musa complemented Bertans perfectly, recording 19 points while playing a team-high 33 minutes. The Bosnian forward shot 6-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, and added five assists and four rebounds. His efficiency rating of 22 and plus-minus of +12 highlighted his importance to Dubai's victory. Musa's ability to create for both himself and others kept Partizan's defense off-balance throughout the game.
Mfiondu Kabengele provided an efficient interior presence, scoring 15 points on an outstanding 6-of-7 shooting from the field. The Canadian center grabbed five rebounds and drew three fouls, getting to the free-throw line four times. His efficiency rating of 18 and plus-minus of +14 in just over 15 minutes demonstrated his impact during his time on the court. Kabengele's ability to finish around the rim gave Dubai an inside-out balance that proved difficult for Partizan to defend.
Wright Orchestrates Dubai's Offense
Point guard McKinley Wright IV played all but 37 seconds of the game, orchestrating Dubai's offense with precision. While his shooting struggled at 2-of-8 from the field, Wright distributed seven assists against zero turnovers, demonstrating excellent decision-making. His plus-minus of +15 was among the team's best, illustrating his positive impact despite modest scoring numbers. Wright's five points, three rebounds, and one steal rounded out a solid floor game that kept Dubai's offense flowing smoothly.
Dwayne Bacon added 11 points on efficient 5-of-9 shooting, along with three assists and two rebounds. His veteran presence and ability to attack the basket provided another dimension to Dubai's offensive arsenal. The American guard's plus-minus of +5 showed his steady contribution throughout his 24 minutes of playing time.
Partizan's Struggles from the Field
Partizan Belgrade faced significant shooting difficulties throughout the contest, particularly from their key offensive players. Jabari Parker, expected to be a primary scoring option, managed just 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting. The former NBA lottery pick's plus-minus of -20 was the worst of any player in the game, indicating the struggles when he was on the court. Parker added four rebounds and two assists but committed two turnovers as Partizan searched for offensive rhythm.
Tyrique Jones provided one of the few bright spots for the Serbian side, coming off the bench to score 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting. The American forward grabbed six rebounds, recorded two assists, two steals, and two blocks in over 25 minutes of action. His efficiency rating of 17 was respectable, but his efforts weren't enough to overcome Dubai's balanced attack.
Point Guard Battle Goes Dubai's Way
Carlik Jones struggled with his shooting efficiency for Partizan, finishing just 1-of-10 from the field for four points. However, the American point guard did distribute six assists and grabbed four rebounds in nearly 30 minutes of play. His plus-minus of +2 suggested he made positive contributions beyond the box score, but Partizan desperately needed more scoring production from their primary ball-handler.
Shake Milton came off the bench to provide 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting for Partizan, including 1-of-1 from three-point range. His efficiency rating of 14 was solid, but his minus-8 plus-minus indicated the team struggled during his minutes. Dylan Osetkowski added 12 points and drew six fouls, getting to the free-throw line frequently, but his minus-13 plus-minus reflected Partizan's overall difficulties.
Dubai's Bench Depth Makes the Difference
Filip Petrusev provided valuable minutes off the bench for Dubai, scoring 14 points on 7-of-13 shooting from inside the arc. The Serbian big man, playing against his home country's representative club, grabbed eight rebounds in nearly 25 minutes. His efficiency rating of 17 demonstrated his effectiveness as Dubai's primary interior scorer from the second unit.
Dubai's second unit outperformed Partizan's reserves significantly, with role players like Justin Anderson and Awudu Abass making timely contributions. Anderson scored two points with one rebound, one assist, and one steal while posting a plus-6 rating in 13 minutes. Abass knocked down a three-pointer for his only field goal attempt, contributing three points in just over nine minutes of action.
Defensive Intensity Sets the Tone
Dubai's defensive performance proved crucial in limiting Partizan's offensive efficiency. The home side forced difficult shots and contested the perimeter effectively, holding Partizan to just 38 percent shooting from the field. Sterling Brown managed just six points on 2-of-5 shooting for Partizan, while Duane Washington struggled mightily, finishing 1-of-7 from the field for two points.
Partizan's three-point shooting was particularly problematic, as they failed to establish any consistent rhythm from beyond the arc. Isaac Bonga provided seven points, eight rebounds, and one assist off the bench, but the German forward's efforts couldn't compensate for the team's overall shooting struggles. Aleksej Pokusevski made both of his three-point attempts for six points, but played just six and a half minutes.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
The game's trajectory was established in the opening quarter, with Dubai's 28-18 advantage setting a tone they never relinquished. The second quarter saw Partizan respond with a 22-19 edge, cutting into Dubai's lead slightly as both teams headed to halftime with Dubai ahead 47-40. The third quarter proved pivotal, as Dubai outscored Partizan 21-16 to extend their advantage to 68-56 heading into the final period. The fourth quarter was evenly matched at 21-20 in Dubai's favor, but by then the outcome was no longer in doubt.
Dubai's ability to maintain their composure and execute their game plan throughout all four quarters demonstrated the team's maturity despite being EuroLeague newcomers. The coaching staff had clearly prepared the squad well for the intensity of European competition, and the players responded with disciplined, efficient basketball on both ends of the floor.
Looking Ahead
This opening victory provides Dubai Basketball with crucial momentum as they embark on their inaugural EuroLeague campaign. The team's balanced scoring attack, led by Bertans' perimeter shooting and supported by contributions from Musa, Kabengele, and Petrusev, suggests they possess the offensive firepower to compete at this level. Wright's steady ball distribution and the team's overall shooting efficiency bode well for future contests.
For Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, the loss highlights areas requiring immediate attention, particularly offensive efficiency and three-point shooting. The Serbian powerhouse will need improved performances from Parker and better shooting nights from their perimeter players to compete effectively in this demanding competition. However, with a long season ahead and time to develop chemistry, Partizan remains capable of bouncing back strongly from this disappointing opening result.
