You could see it in his stride. He had this date circled on his calendar in bright red. Being called by a last name that isn’t really his for so long can take a toll. And this wasn’t some random NBA regular-season night. It was a moment to sit at the same table as his idol and finally surpass the father figure. Alperen Sengün looked Nikola in the eye to tell him he’s no longer “Baby Jokic.”
The game—one of the highest-level showdowns so far in this EuroBasket—offered countless twists. But Sengün dominated it from start to finish (95–90). He even picked off Marko Guduric for a steal that signaled the beginning of the end for Serbia.
Sengün, in the Name of the Father
In the first couple of possessions, Sengün tried to attack Serbia the same way he’d steamrolled past every other opponent. But he soon realized this challenge was different. After his third unsuccessful post-up, he decided to face up and pull Nikola Jokic out of his comfort zone. The first quarter was all about mid-range and long-range shooting, as well as distribution—an area he clearly knows well.
He also ventured into the paint when his team needed it. That’s where he capped a memorable night, finishing with 28 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4-of-7 shooting from three.
Serbia Held Its Own
The game was played on even terms. This speaks highly of Turkey, which until not long ago didn’t look like it belonged in these debates, but it also reflects well on Serbia, which has bounced back quite well from losing Bogdan Bogdanovic. The Balkan side began the contest with the apparent intention not to rely solely on Nikola Jokic. The center had fewer touches than usual early on and contributed mainly through setting screens. He finished the first half with only five shot attempts, even though Turkey often guarded him one-on-one.
Instead, Serbia wanted more players involved in decision-making and playmaking. Nikola Jovic came out aggressively off the dribble, and so did Marinkovic, Stefan Jovic, and Marko Guduric. Aleksa Avramovic was also part of the plan, though he’s underperformed with his shooting so far in this tournament despite how crucial his defense is.
However, as the game progressed, Jokic’s impact grew—and so did his teammates’ dependence on him. He found plenty of success in his ever-productive connection with Filip Petrusev, around which Serbia built its dominance in the paint. They ended up outscoring Turkey 42–26 in the lane.
Overall, Jokic performed below his usual standards and had to work hard on defense. Ercan Osmani did a great job denying him the ball, but on a normal day the Denver Nuggets star usually imposes his will more clearly. Even so, considering who we’re talking about, he still guided Serbia’s half-court offense and stood as a defensive pillar.
Sengün’s Sidekick
Turkey’s ability to respond was especially impressive. There were several moments when Serbia tightened passing lanes, forced a string of mistakes and fast breaks, and looked set to run away with the game. But then a couple of timely threes and solid defense from Turkey kept things in balance.
Sengün couldn’t have asked for a better sidekick than Shane Larkin, who showed a special spark from the opening tip. The opposite was true for his longtime teammate Vasilije Micic, who’s still struggling on the floor despite the occasional flash.
Larkin easily got past the typically sticky defense of Avramovic or Stefan Jovic, though he struggled to keep his edge once he reached the paint. Most of his production came from outside, but his trips to the lane opened up plenty of shots and good looks for his teammates. He was rightfully the second-best player on the floor.
Standout Players
Shane Larkin
His shooting prowess is still there, and he was a constant whirlwind. His almost effortless ability to pull up for threes off the dribble—changing direction at lightning speed—gave order to the Turkish offense. It was like finding peace in chaos.
Stats: 23 points (5/8 3PT), 9 assists.
Nikola Jokic
He started out with support from his teammates, letting them take the initiative, but ended up battling on his own. That was especially true on defense, where he got little help against the imposing Sengün. Realistically, Serbia couldn’t do much more, though he surely missed Jovic down the stretch.
Stats: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists.
Alperen Sengün
Some games mark a before-and-after moment for a player, and this one looks like it could change Sengün’s life. For now, he’s an NBA star who hasn’t quite reached “super-” status. But Houston has made it clear he’s the leader after Jalen Green’s departure. And this EuroBasket seems set to elevate him to new heights once he heads back across the pond.
Stats: 28 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists.
(Cover photo courtesy of FIBA EuroBasket)
