Partizan Mozzart Bet pull off a stunning comeback to beat Budućnost VOLI in Game 1

2024/25 AdmiralBet ABA League Finals Round 1, Thursday, 5 June 2025:

Budućnost VOLI – PARTIZAN MOZZART BET 88:94 (24:22, 19:13, 18:25, 22:23, 5:11)

PHOTO GALLERY

Game recap: The 2025 AdmiralBet ABA League Finals opened in sensational fashion as Partizan Mozzart Bet pulled off a stunning 94:88 overtime victory on the road against Budućnost VOLI, grabbing a big 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. In front of a packed Morača Sports Hall in Podgorica, the visitors staged one of the most incredible comebacks in recent ABA history — erasing an eight-point deficit in the final 35 seconds of regulation to force overtime and ultimately seize the win.

The contest was a hard-fought battle from the opening tip. Both teams entered the series with sky-high confidence, and it showed — lead changes, physical defense, and individual brilliance shaped the rhythm of the game.

Despite some scoring droughts, Budućnost VOLI entered the fourth quarter slightly ahead and seemed to have taken full control late in regulation. With less than a minute remaining, they held a commanding 83:75 lead — the crowd on its feet, the bench celebrating, and Game 1 seemingly wrapped up. But what happened was one of the biggest comebacks in league history.

Key moments: The final 40 seconds of regulation delivered an instant classic. Budućnost VOLI were up by 83:75, but then Sterling Brown — already with a strong scoring night — knocked down a three-pointer to cut the lead to 83:78. On the next Budućnost VOLI possession, the home team made a turnover, and Brown again punished them with another dagger from long range — suddenly, it was 83:81.

Budućnost VOLI still had the chance to close it out. After drawing a foul, Kenan Kamenjaš stepped to the free-throw line with 9 seconds left, but nerves took over — he missed both shots. That opened the door for Partizan Mozzart Bet to tie the game, and Tyrique Jones did exactly that with a 2-pointer in the final seconds. 83:83.

In overtime, Partizan’s surge continued. Isaac Bonga, Tyrique Jones and Carlik Jones stepped up for the away team hitting some big shots and grabbing some big rebounds as they led the visitors toward the triumph – 94:88.

Man of the match: Sterling Brown delivered a Finals performance to remember. The American guard erupted for 30 points, shooting 66.7% from the field and connecting on five three-pointers, including two iconic ones in the closing seconds of regulation that flipped the game on its head. Beyond the points, Brown added 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals, and finished with a game-high index rating of 30.

Can’t trick the stats: At the end of the day, that 8:0 run that Partizan Mozzart Bet made late in the 4^th quarter to force overtime, decided the winner today. The visitors made a miraculous comeback to eventually take the lead in the Finals.