Jones dominates the finish and Partizan defeats Milan

The first day of the EuroLeague featured a matchup where the Serbian Partizan asserted itself with authority thanks to a second half where controlling the pace proved decisive. The Balkans team led for most of the initial thirty-two minutes, but the Italian team managed to equalize the score just when they needed it most, bringing tension back to a clash that seemed headed for a larger outcome.

The balance that didn't last

The Serbians dominated the early stages with solid defense and fluid ball movement, building an advantage that allowed them to breathe easier. However, Milano did not give up and managed to tie the score at the end of the third quarter at 57-57, a result that injected uncertainty into the match and reopened all possibilities. It was a moment when either team could take the victory, but the final period would bring a radical shift in the dynamics of the game.

That balance lasted little. Just after the last quarter began, the Partizan executed their best basketball and closed off any chance of surprise. The verdict came quickly and emphatically, with a single protagonist who changed everything in a matter of minutes.

Carlik Jones' quarter

Carlik Jones, the Serbian team's point guard, became a nightmare for Milano during the early minutes of the last period. The player scored eight points himself and provided eight additional assists in the first sixteen points that the Partizan scored in that decisive phase. In other words, he was directly involved in all of the local scoring during the stretch that defined the game, a performance of such magnitude that the Italians found no possible defensive answer.

With that unstoppable streak, the Partizan took a lead of over ten points and never looked back. The difference widened as the final minutes progressed, sealing a victory that looked inevitable once Jones took absolute control of the game. The point guard finished the match as the leading scorer with twenty points and ten assists, figures that reflected his influence on both sides of the court.

Complementary contributions

Alongside Jones, other Serbian players contributed significantly. Lamar Stevens added eleven points in a solid performance, while Kevarrius Hayes scored ten more, forming an offensive trio that functioned effectively throughout the match. The balance in scoring distribution allowed the Partizan to maintain constant pressure and prevent the Italians from concentrating their defenses on a single rival.

Milano without reward in their debut

On the Italian side, the situation was more complicated. Marko Guduric and Alec Peters were the top scorers for Milano with seventeen points each, while Devon Hall added thirteen points. Despite these individual efforts, the lack of defensive consistency in the final quarter and the inability to stop Jones proved fatal for the Italian aspirations.

This debut represents a bad start for a team that has significantly revamped its roster during the summer market with eight new additions. The Milano faces the season under the guidance of Peppe Poeta in his first full year as head coach, following two consecutive seasons without making the playoffs. The loss to the Partizan on the first day adds pressure to a project looking to rediscover success after a challenging period.

The match made clear the strengths of the Serbian team, capable of executing their basketball when it matters most, and the defensive vulnerabilities of Milano against high-level opponents. The EuroLeague promises to be a demanding competition for the Italians, who will need to significantly improve their defensive effectiveness if they wish to compete with real options in the coming rounds.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jones domina el cierre y el Partizan vence al Milano