By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
What a start to the ABA League Finals! Budućnost was just seconds away from victory, but Partizan pulled off a stunning comeback to win 94–88 in overtime and take a 1–0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Down by eight with just over a minute left, Partizan refused to give up. Sterling Brown hit a clutch three-pointer with 14 seconds remaining, and after Kenan Kamenjaš missed two free throws, Tyrique Jones tied the game at 83–83 with a basket three seconds before the buzzer.
Jones carried that momentum into overtime, dominating the offensive glass and finishing the game with a personal ABA League record of 24 points, along with 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and an impressive 39 PIR.
Sterling Brown led all scorers with ABA-high 30 points, while Isaac Bonga had a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds). Carlik Jones also scored 12 for Partizan.
For Budućnost, who lost home-court advantage with this defeat, Yogi Ferrell led the way with 17 points. Rasheed Sulaimon added 15, Kenan Kamenjaš had 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Fletcher Magee and Nikola Tanasković chipped in with 11 each.
Game 2 will be played in Podgorica, where Budućnost will look to bounce back.