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Dubai Basketball pulled off a dramatic comeback victory against Anadolu Efes on Thursday, erasing a double-digit deficit to claim an 80-76 road win in Round 17 of the EuroLeague season.
McKinley Wright IV orchestrated the stunning turnaround with a dominant all-around performance, finishing with 17 points and 15 assists for Dubai. The guard delivered crucial baskets and assists down the stretch to secure his team's eighth victory of the campaign, mirroring his stellar showing in Dubai's previous contest against Maccabi.
Mfiondu Kabengele led all Dubai scorers with 20 points, while Filip Petrusev contributed 14 points in the winning effort. For Anadolu Efes, Rodrigue Beaubois and Rolands Smits paced the attack with 12 points apiece, but the home side couldn't maintain its early advantage.
The Istanbul-based club appeared poised to extend its winning streak under coach Pablo Laso, controlling the game for nearly three quarters. Anadolu Efes established a 50-40 advantage midway through the contest, building momentum with balanced scoring from four players in double figures.
However, Jurica Golemac's squad steadily chipped away at the deficit, relying on Wright IV's playmaking and timely scoring contributions across the roster. The guard's ability to create opportunities for teammates while finding his own offense proved decisive as Dubai clawed back into contention.
The game came down to a tense final possession, with Anadolu Efes holding a chance to steal the victory. Jordan Loyd attempted a three-pointer that could have put the home team ahead, but the shot missed its mark. Wright IV secured the rebound and converted free throws to put the game out of reach, capping another magnificent performance for the visiting side.
The victory improved Dubai's record to 8-9 in the EuroLeague regular season, keeping the club in playoff contention as the competition reaches its midpoint. Dubai will look to build on this momentum when it hosts Olimpia Milano in its next fixture.
For Anadolu Efes, the defeat dropped the Turkish powerhouse to 6-11, placing additional pressure on the team's playoff aspirations. The club will travel to face ASVEL in Round 18 as it attempts to reverse its fortunes in the standings.
The EuroLeague, European basketball's premier club competition, features 18 teams competing in a double round-robin regular season. The top 10 teams advance to the playoffs, with the bottom eight eliminated from title contention.
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