Dubai Basketball secured a hard-fought 80:76 road victory over Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 17 of the EuroLeague, demonstrating resilience and composure in a tense finale.

Playing away in Istanbul, Dubai faced an early deficit as Efes established a double-digit lead midway through the third quarter. The visitors responded steadily, tightening their defense and improving ball movement to chip away at the gap. By the start of the fourth quarter, Dubai had erased the deficit and forced a close, possession-by-possession finish.

Davis Bertans was instrumental in the comeback, delivering timely three-point shooting that shifted momentum and provided Dubai with scoring stability. McKinley Wright dominated the final minutes, combining clutch scoring with precise playmaking. Wright set a EuroLeague season high with 15 assists and scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, managing the game’s tempo under intense pressure.

The final minute proved dramatic. Dubai held a narrow lead, but Efes regained a chance to tie or take the lead through free throws and a late turnover. Jordan Loyd had an open three-point attempt that could have changed the outcome, but the shot missed, allowing Dubai to secure the rebound and the win.

Beyond Wright and Bertans, Mfiondu Kabengele led Dubai with 20 points, while Filip Petrušev contributed 14. The scoring distribution highlighted Dubai’s balanced approach, allowing them to respond effectively to Efes’ runs without relying solely on one player.

The win ended Dubai’s five-game road losing streak and marked their second EuroLeague road victory of the season, both earned in Istanbul.