Published on January 8, 2026 at 06:00 PM by driblio.net
Date
2026-01-08
Venue
Round
Round 21
Attendance
7029
Dubai Basketball returned to winning ways with an impressive 92-81 triumph over Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 21 of the EuroLeague on Wednesday evening. Playing in front of 7,029 fans, Dubai dominated from start to finish, building leads in every quarter to snap a three-game losing streak and deliver a much-needed confidence boost to their European campaign.
The victory was particularly satisfying for Dubai, who had endured a difficult stretch that included losses to Hapoel Tel Aviv and Real Madrid. Against a Fenerbahce side riding high on a five-game winning streak, Dubai showed resilience and determination, never allowing the visitors to establish any momentum. The home team's balanced attack and defensive intensity proved too much for Fenerbahce, whose own winning run came to an abrupt halt in the UAE.
The standout performer for Dubai was McKinley Wright IV, who delivered a masterclass in efficiency and leadership. The American point guard tallied 22 points on an exceptional 9-of-13 shooting from the field, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Wright's ability to penetrate the Fenerbahce defense was on full display, as he converted 9 of 11 two-point attempts, consistently finding gaps and finishing at the rim with authority.
Beyond his scoring, Wright contributed four assists and played stellar defense, finishing with a team-high efficiency rating of 28 and a plus-minus of +16. His 30 minutes and 54 seconds on the court demonstrated his importance to Dubai's system, as he orchestrated the offense with poise and made crucial plays when Fenerbahce threatened to mount any comeback attempts.
Coming off the bench, Kenan Kamenjas produced arguably the game's most dominant individual performance. The Bosnian big man was unstoppable in the paint, recording a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds in just 23 minutes and 20 seconds of action. Kamenjas showcased his interior prowess by converting 6 of 10 two-point attempts and demonstrating remarkable composure at the charity stripe, making all eight of his free throw attempts.
His rebounding effort was particularly impressive, pulling down 11 defensive boards and four offensive rebounds, giving Dubai crucial second-chance opportunities and limiting Fenerbahce's ability to generate transition offense. Kamenjas finished with an efficiency rating of 34, the highest of any player on either team, and his impact went far beyond the statistics as he altered shots and controlled the paint throughout his minutes.
Dwayne Bacon continued his consistent play for Dubai, contributing 15 points, four assists, and two rebounds in over 30 minutes of action. Bacon's versatility was on display as he hit 2 of 4 three-pointers while also attacking the basket and drawing fouls, converting 5 of 6 free throws. His plus-minus of +23 was the highest on the team, indicating his positive impact whenever he was on the floor.
Justin Anderson provided valuable energy off the bench with 11 points and four rebounds in 26 and a half minutes. Anderson hit two crucial three-pointers and went 3-of-3 from the free-throw line, providing scoring punch when Dubai needed to maintain their lead. Mfiondu Kabengele also made important contributions in his 13 minutes and 43 seconds, scoring 14 points on efficient 4-of-5 shooting and grabbing five rebounds while drawing six fouls, showcasing his physical presence in the paint.
For Fenerbahce, the loss marked an uncharacteristic off night for a team that had looked unstoppable in recent weeks. The Turkish side struggled to find offensive rhythm and never managed to take control of the game. Their shooting percentages were below par, and they were unable to establish their usually dominant interior game against Dubai's physicality.
The brightest spot for Fenerbahce was Wade Baldwin IV, who came off the bench to score a team-high 21 points in just under 26 minutes. Baldwin was aggressive attacking the basket, converting 6 of 8 two-point attempts and drawing seven fouls, which allowed him to get to the free-throw line frequently. He added five assists and played with intensity, finishing with an efficiency rating of 26 and demonstrating why he's such a valuable weapon for Fenerbahce.
Talen Horton-Tucker added 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting and grabbed five rebounds, but his minus-3 plus-minus suggested his presence didn't translate to team success. Tarik Biberovic contributed eight points but struggled with his three-point shooting, hitting just 2 of 7 attempts from beyond the arc before fouling out after 18 and a half minutes of play.
Mikael Jantunen came off the bench to provide some offensive spark for Fenerbahce, hitting 4 of 5 three-point attempts to finish with 13 points in 23 minutes. His perimeter shooting kept Fenerbahce within striking distance at times, but Dubai's consistent scoring and defensive rotations prevented the visitors from ever seriously threatening the home team's lead.
Devon Hall added nine points and three assists for Fenerbahce, while Nicolo Melli endured a forgettable evening, failing to score in nearly 27 minutes of action and finishing with a minus-16 plus-minus. The Italian veteran's shooting woes—going 0-for-2 from the field—exemplified Fenerbahce's offensive struggles on the night.
Dubai established control early, winning the first quarter 24-20 and never relinquishing their advantage. The home team's defensive pressure and transition offense created problems for Fenerbahce from the opening tip. Dubai extended their lead in the second quarter, outscoring Fenerbahce 27-22 to take a nine-point advantage into halftime at 51-42.
The third quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with Dubai maintaining their cushion by matching Fenerbahce's output at 22-20. The home team's ability to answer every Fenerbahce run prevented the visitors from gaining any momentum. In the final quarter, Dubai's experience and composure shone through as they managed the game effectively, matching Fenerbahce's 19 points to secure the 11-point victory.
Dubai's victory was built on superior rebounding and efficiency in the paint. The home team's big men dominated the glass, with Kamenjas leading the charge, and Dubai consistently got higher percentage shots near the basket. Their ability to draw fouls was also crucial, as they got to the free-throw line more frequently than Fenerbahce and converted at a higher rate.
The bench production proved decisive as well, with Dubai's reserves outscoring Fenerbahce's second unit significantly. While Baldwin provided quality minutes for the visitors, Dubai received contributions from multiple players off the bench, including Kamenjas and Anderson, who combined for 31 points and showcased the home team's depth.
This victory is crucial for Dubai Basketball as they continue their inaugural EuroLeague campaign. After dropping three consecutive games, including tough road losses to quality opponents, Dubai showed they can compete with and defeat top-tier European teams at home. The win improves their confidence and demonstrates that their earlier victories over Milan and Bayern Munich were no flukes.
For Fenerbahce, the loss ends an impressive winning streak and serves as a reminder that consistency throughout the long EuroLeague season is challenging. The Turkish club will need to regroup and address their offensive struggles and defensive lapses that allowed Dubai to control the game from start to finish. With their depth and talent, Fenerbahce will be expected to bounce back quickly, but this defeat exposes some vulnerabilities that opponents will look to exploit.
Dubai's performance, particularly from Wright, Kamenjas, and Bacon, shows they have the talent and system to compete at the highest level of European basketball. As they continue to develop chemistry and gain experience in EuroLeague play, performances like this suggest they could become a dangerous team, especially at home where their energy and execution make them formidable opponents.
| Rank | Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MCKINLEY WRIGHT IV | DUB | 22 | 2 | 4 |
| 2 | WADE BALDWIN IV | FBB | 21 | 2 | 5 |
| 3 | KENAN KAMENJAS | DUB | 20 | 15 | 1 |
| 4 | TALEN HORTON TUCKER | FBB | 15 | 5 | 1 |
| 5 | DWAYNE BACON | DUB | 15 | 2 | 4 |
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 79-73, powered by a dominant 28-14 third quarter. Chima Moneke led all scorers with 21 points for Fenerbahce, but Ebuka Izundu's perfect shooting and Bonzie Colson's 15 points proved crucial for the hosts, ending Fenerbahce's seven-game winning streak.
Published on March 13, 2026 at 09:28 PM by driblio.net
Dubai Basketball defeated Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 100-94 in EuroLeague Round 31 action. Dwayne Bacon led Dubai with 23 points while Mamadi Diakite scored 27 for Baskonia. Dubai's balanced attack and bench depth proved decisive as they secured their fourth consecutive victory. Baskonia suffered their sixth straight loss despite Diakite's exceptional performance, leaving their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Published on March 12, 2026 at 09:22 PM by driblio.net
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul extended their winning streak to eight games with a dominant 88-70 victory over AS Monaco in Round 30 of the EuroLeague. Talen Horton Tucker led all scorers with 28 points off the bench, while Fenerbahce's balanced attack overwhelmed Monaco's struggling offense, marking the visitors' sixth loss in seven games.
Published on March 5, 2026 at 07:47 PM by driblio.net
