Drama day in Euroleague: James injury and surprises

The third matchday of the Euroliga featured highly intense encounters that left unexpected twists in the continental competition. Four matches played on October 1 set the pace for a day where the results surprised both fans and analysts, with moments of extreme tension both on the court and physically.

The Hapoel comes back against a historic Real Madrid

The Hapoel Tel Aviv achieved its second victory of the season in a match held in Sofia against Real Madrid, with a final score of 102-98. The Israeli team controlled much of the game, especially in the first half, when it led by twenty points (63-43) with a brilliant performance that seemed to be paving the way for a comfortable victory.

Elijah Bryant was the star of the match, nearing a triple-double with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. Alongside him, Vasilije Micic also contributed 22 points, while Bruno Caboclo completed a memorable night with five three-pointers made (5 of 5) for a total of 15 points. Zach Leday rounded off the offensive contributions with another 15 points.

However, Real Madrid did not give up. The French duo of the white team, formed by Theo Maledon (26 points) and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (21 points), led a spectacular third quarter where the Madridians achieved a 19-0 run that even allowed them to take the lead on the scoreboard. Walter Tavares completed the team's performance with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Despite the Madrid push, Hapoel managed to stay calm in the decisive moments of the final period. Bryant once again proved crucial down the stretch, securing a victory that places the team at a 2-1 record. On the other hand, Real Madrid has started the season with three consecutive losses, marking a historically negative precedent in their participation in the European competition.

Drama in Belgrade: Red Star defeats Efes amid uncertainty

The matchup between Red Star (Crvena zvezda) and Anadolu Efes in Belgrade will be remembered for sporting reasons and for an incident that overshadowed the day. The Serbian team won 77-72 in a game where Efes was always trailing but never stopped believing in a comeback.

The most critical moment came with eight seconds left on the clock. Collin Malcolm had the opportunity to put Efes ahead with a wide-open three-pointer, but he missed the crucial shot, allowing Red Star to secure their first victory of the season. Chima Moneke was the top scorer for the winning team with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Jordan Nwora added 12 points and Tyson Carter contributed 11 points.

The serious injury of Mike James

The match was indelibly marked by the serious injury suffered by Mike James, considered one of the best players in Europe. During the game, the Efes guard suffered a collision and lay on the court holding his leg, requiring his removal from the venue. James, who was already dealing with physical issues, managed to score 11 points before the incident that raised concerns in the arena.

From Efes, Jordan Loyd scored 15 points, while Matthew Strazel and Dario Saric each added 13 points. The second defeat for the Turkish team raises doubts about their ability to bounce back, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the physical condition of their star player.

Carr decides in the last second: Virtus Bologna surprises Olympiacos

Virtus Bologna achieved a historic victory by defeating Olympiacos (96-94) in a match held in Italy that was decided in the last second. The Greek team arrived with a perfect record of 2-0, but saw their streak cut short thanks to a buzzer-beater by Marcus Carr.

Carr was the undisputed hero of the night, capping off a superb performance with 22 points and 10 assists. With the game fully open, the Italian guard hit the decisive three-pointer at the exact moment the final buzzer sounded, igniting the euphoria of the home fans. Aliou Diarra was also crucial in the win, achieving a dominant double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, and starring in several decisive plays in the closing minutes of the match.

Olympiacos put on a great offensive performance but it was not enough to maintain their winning streak. Mbaye Ndiaye recorded the best performance of his career with 23 points and 7 rebounds, while Tyler Dorsey contributed 22 points and Sasha Vezenkov added 20. Despite these numbers, the defending champion was shocked at the last second, suffering a defeat that leaves them with a 2-1 record.

Paris starts with a win against Zalgiris at home

Paris Basketball also achieved its first win of the season by defeating Zalgiris Kaunas 82-78 in the French capital. The Lithuanian team received strong support from their traveling fans but failed to complete the comeback they sought in the final moments.

Nadir Hifi led the home team with 21 points, while Zalgiris found a key player in Azuolas Tubelis, who finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. The visitors managed to establish a five-point lead in the final quarter, putting themselves in a strong position to close out the game. However, Paris Basketball reacted at the most critical moment, overturning the game to seal a four-point victory that allows them to start the season on the right foot.

This Euroliga matchday has made it clear that the competition remains unpredictable, with established teams facing surprises and new winners emerging in highly intense encounters. The next matchday, scheduled for October 2, will bring new matchups to complete the third round of the season.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jornada de drama en Euroliga: lesión James y sorpresas