Dubai Basketball protected its home court with a 94-87 victory over FC Barcelona on Tuesday, improving to 2-0 in its EuroLeague season.
Playing at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai used its size, athleticism and defensive pressure to exploit Barcelona’s depleted frontcourt before holding off a late comeback attempt from Kevin Punter.
McKinley Wright IV set the tone for the hosts, finishing with 14 points, six assists and two rebounds while also helping limit Punter’s opportunities early in the game. Wright repeatedly pushed the pace and created openings for Dubai’s frontcourt, including an alley-oop connection with Mfiondu Kabengele.
Dubai’s second unit then helped turn the game in its favor. Toko Shengelia and Mamadi Diakite provided energy and physicality during a 12-0 run, while Davion Mintz added a three-point play as the hosts built a 35-25 advantage.
Kabengele was the main beneficiary of Dubai’s interior advantage. He scored 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting from two-point range and a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, while adding six rebounds and finishing with a game-high 24 PIR.
Dubai’s other frontcourt players also made an impact. Jaron Blossomgame scored 10 points and added two rebounds, while Diakite finished with seven points, six rebounds and two blocks. Filip Petrusev and Shengelia added four points apiece in limited minutes.
Barcelona entered the game without Josh Nebo, Yoan Makoundou and Tosan Evbuomwan, leaving Aleksander Sekulic to adjust his rotations. The visitors increasingly relied on smaller lineups, with Joel Parra and Olivier Nkamhoua sharing frontcourt responsibilities for stretches.
Barcelona’s offense was led by Punter, who scored 25 points on 8-of-10 shooting from two-point range and 3-of-6 from three. Umoja Gibson added 12 points and three assists, while Tyrese Martin scored nine.
Punter helped Barcelona mount a comeback in the second half. After Dubai opened the fourth quarter with a significant lead, the Barcelona guard scored three consecutive baskets generated from his own offensive rebounds before eventually connecting from long range. The visitors cut the deficit to eight points.
Dubai, however, responded through Wright and Kabengele and maintained enough control to close out the victory.
The hosts shot 65.6% from two-point range and 37.5% from three, while Barcelona finished at 61.5% and 30.6%, respectively. Dubai also went 25-of-28 from the free-throw line and committed 15 turnovers.
The victory gives Dubai two wins from its first two EuroLeague games, having already defeated Real Madrid in its opening home game. The team will now face Fenerbahce on the road. Meanwhile, Barcelona will travel to Istanbul to square off against Besiktas.
Dubai’s 2-0 start leaves it at the top of the early EuroLeague standings, while Barcelona falls to 1-1 after two games.
