Dubai Basketball continue remarkable surge with landmark finals appearance.
Dubai Basketball moved a step closer to a historic ABA League title with a 99–93 victory over Partizan in Game 1 of the 2025/26 Finals at the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai on Thursday, June 5.
Playing in front of a packed home crowd of nearly 9,500 fans after a three-month spell away from Dubai, the hosts delivered a strong performance against one of European basketball’s most decorated clubs to take a 1–0 lead in the best-of-five series.
The arena was filled with energy as supporters created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the championship opener. The occasion marked a significant milestone for a team representing Dubai on one of European basketball’s biggest stages.
Dubai Basketball rose to the occasion with an impressive display, leading for much of the game and staying composed as reigning champions Partizan mounted a comeback. A strong start to the fourth quarter helped the home side pull away and secure a deserved six-point victory.
Head coach Aleksandar Sekulić praised the atmosphere at the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, crediting the fans for helping energise the team during a high-pressure contest. “It’s the finals. It’s something that everybody was excited to start, especially here in Dubai,” Sekulić said after the game. “A big praise and big thanks to the fans coming to the arena, cheering us on and bringing the energy we needed.”
Match Highlights
Džanan Musa top-scored with 22 points, while Mfiondu Kabengele added 19 points and eight rebounds. McKinley Wright IV contributed 19 points and nine assists, and Justin Anderson chipped in with 11 points and three rebounds, rounding off a strong all-round performance from the home side.
The result marks another milestone in the club’s remarkable rise. The victory gives Dubai Basketball a 1–0 lead in the best-of-five series and moves the team one step closer to a historic first ABA League title.
The Finals return to the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai on Saturday, June 6, with Dubai aiming to strengthen its series advantage before the title decider shifts to Belgrade. Backed by a passionate home crowd, the team will look to take another step towards a landmark ABA League championship.
About Dubai Basketball
Dubai Basketball’s rapid rise has emerged as one of the most notable stories in regional sport.
Founded in 2023, Dubai Basketball is a newly established professional basketball franchise competing in Europe’s ABA League and participating in the EuroLeague system for the 2025/26 season. Led by head coach Aleksandar Sekulić, the club has built a strong roster and hosts its home games at the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai.
In just its second season, the team has reached the ABA League Finals—an achievement rarely seen among newly formed clubs—and has also become the first UAE-based team to do so.
How Dubai Basketball Reached the ABA League Finals
Dubai Basketball’s journey to the ABA League Finals began with a strong regular-season campaign that saw the club finish among the competition’s top teams and secure home-court advantage for the playoffs.
In the quarter-finals, Dubai swept Serbia’s Spartak Office Shoes 2–0 in a best-of-three series to book a place in the semi-finals. They then overcame Montenegro’s Budućnost VOLI 2–1, clinching the deciding third game to advance to the Finals.
Dubai went on to face Partizan in the championship series, a best-of-five battle for the ABA League title that began yesterday.
For a club that did not exist three years ago, reaching the ABA League Finals and defeating one of Europe’s basketball giants in the opening game represents a major milestone—not only for the team, but also for the growth of basketball in the UAE.
What’s next?
Dubai Basketball returns to action on Saturday, June 6, when it hosts Partizan Belgrade in Game 2 of the ABA League Finals at the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai. Tip-off is scheduled for 8pm UAE time as the home side looks to build on its opening win and strengthen its position in the best-of-five series.
How to watch
Fans in the UAE and across the wider region can watch all remaining ABA League playoff games, including the Finals, live via Dubai Basketball’s official app after completing a free registration. The broadcasts are available through the club’s partnership with Arena Sport, the league’s official rights holder.
