Dubai Basketball came within a single possession of a statement road win in Round 23 of the EuroLeague, falling narrowly to FC Barcelona 91:89 after a dramatic finish at Palau Blaugrana.

Dubai set the tone early and showed no signs of intimidation in one of Europe’s toughest arenas. Strong execution on both ends allowed the visitors to control the opening quarter and take an 18:22 lead after ten minutes. The team’s ball movement and physical approach disrupted Barcelona’s early rhythm and forced the home side to adjust.

Barcelona responded in the second quarter with increased pressure and a decisive scoring run that shifted momentum. A 14–2 stretch turned the game in favor of the hosts, who entered halftime leading 49:41. Despite the swing, Dubai remained composed and stayed within reach by continuing to attack mismatches and limiting turnovers.

The third quarter appeared to push the game away from Dubai. Barcelona found consistency from the perimeter and stretched the margin into double digits, closing the period ahead 79:67. At that point, the challenge became not just tactical but mental, as Dubai needed to respond to both the scoreboard and the atmosphere.

Dubai did exactly that. The final quarter showcased the team’s resilience and belief. A series of timely three-pointers brought the game back to level terms at 83:83, completely resetting the contest. Even after Barcelona regained a slim advantage late, Dubai stayed aggressive, trimming the deficit to a single point and forcing the outcome to be decided in the final seconds.

The decisive moments ultimately favored the home team, which converted on its last two offensive possessions. Dubai, however, had opportunities until the end and remained a threat throughout the closing sequence.

McKinley Wright delivered a standout performance; he finished with a career-high 29 points while also creating opportunities for teammates with five assists. Mfiondu Kabengele added 13 points and provided physical presence inside, particularly during Dubai’s comeback run.

The game also marked the return to EuroLeague for Džanan Musa, who made his first EuroLeague appearance since Round 3 and logged 14 minutes, contributing five points as he continues his reintegration into the rotation.