Partizan Mozart Bet Prevail Over Crvena zvezda Meridianbet in Game 1 Thriller

2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Semifinals Round 1, Monday, 18 May 2026:

PARTIZAN MOZZART BET – Crvena zvezda Meridianbet 100:94 (25:19, 27:27, 26:13, 22:35)

PHOTO GALLERY

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game Recap: Partizan Mozzart Bet drew first blood in the 2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Semi-Finals! The black and whites defeated arch rivals Crvena zvezda Meridianbet by 100:94 in Game 1 of the best-of-three series after surviving a dramatic finish in front of their home crowd in Belgrade.

What initially looked like a comfortable night for Partizan Mozzart Bet suddenly turned into a real basketball thriller, but the home side still managed to stay composed in the crucial moments and protect their lead to move just one step away from the Finals.

Partizan Mozzart Bet controlled the game for most of the evening and seemed to have everything under control at the start of the fourth quarter when they built a margin bigger than 20 points. Even with three and a half minutes remaining on the clock, the black and whites were cruising toward the win as they led by 90:74.

However, Crvena zvezda Meridianbet then produced a stunning comeback. The red and whites made an incredible run in the final minutes and managed to reduce the gap to just a single point - 95:94 - with less than a minute remaining, completely silencing the home crowd and turning the match into a nail-biter.

Still, when the pressure was at its highest, Partizan Mozzart Bet found the right answers.

Key moments: The hosts made a decisive 5:0 run in the final 30 seconds of the game. Firstly, Carlik Jones calmly knocked down two free throws to increase the lead to 97:94. Then came a huge defensive possession by Partizan Mozzart Bet, as the black and whites forced Crvena zvezda Meridianbet into a costly turnover without even allowing them to cross half court. Finally, Duane Washington Jr. sealed the deal. The regular season top scorer attacked the rim, finished the crucial and-one play and set the final score at 100:94.

Man of the match: Duane Washington Jr. once again showed why he has been one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league this season. The Partizan Mozzart Bet star finished the game as the top scorer of the winning side with 23 points, while he also delivered the clutch bucket that secured the victory for the black and whites.

Can’t trick the stats: Partizan Mozzart Bet dominated the battle inside the paint as they grabbed 6 rebounds more than their rivals, while the hosts also displayed better ball movement throughout the game by making 7 assists more than Crvena zvezda Meridianbet.