It was Baby Jokic’s day in EuroBasket — and what a day it was. In a highly anticipated showdown between two of the best big men in international basketball, Alperen Sengun outdueled Nikola Jokic in a dramatic 95-90 victory that handed Serbia its first loss of the tournament. The win not only kept Turkiye unbeaten but also solidified them as the Group A winners, sending a clear message to the rest of Europe: this team is for real.

The matchup between Sengun and Jokic was everything fans hoped it would be — a battle of vision, skill, and craft at the center position. Sengun, often compared to Jokic for his unique passing, soft touch, and high basketball IQ, controlled the game with poise beyond his years. His fingerprints were on everything Turkiye did offensively and defensively, and by the end of the night, it was clear why teammates and fans alike are calling him Baby Jokic.

With this victory, Turkiye remains perfect in group play, finishing 5-0, while Serbia drops to 4-1 and will settle for the second seed in Group A.

Knockout Stage Picture Begins to Form

Wednesday wasn’t just about Turkiye and Serbia. EuroBasket’s group stage saw pivotal matchups across the board, with teams battling for the final knockout round spots.

In Group A, Portugal faced Estonia in a true win-or-go-home contest. Celtics center Neemias Queta led Portugal with 15 points before being ejected in the third quarter. Despite losing their best player down the stretch, Portugal held on for a 68-65 victory, clinching their place in the Round of 16.

Meanwhile, in Group B, Montenegro only needed to defeat winless Great Britain to secure their own advancement. Instead, Great Britain flipped the script, pulling off a surprise win and creating a three-way tie at 1-4 for the final knockout spot. Based on point differential, it was Sweden — led by Miami standout Pelle Larsson — who survived the chaos and moved forward.

With these results, four Round of 16 matchups are officially locked in, all scheduled for Saturday:

Turkiye vs. Sweden

Serbia vs. Finland

Latvia vs. Lithuania

Portugal vs. Germany

Among these games, the most star-studded showdown will undoubtedly be Serbia vs. Finland — a heavyweight battle between Nikola Jokic and Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, who just dropped an eye-popping 43 points in Finland’s latest victory. Both nations bring deep rosters, elite NBA talent, and championship aspirations, making this one of the must-watch games of the knockout round.

What’s at Stake Moving Forward

The stakes couldn’t be higher. With knockout play about to begin, one bad game could end even the strongest team’s championship dreams. For Turkiye, Sengun’s emergence as a legitimate international star offers hope that they might make a deep run. They’ve displayed balance, physicality, and the kind of high-IQ play that thrives in tournament basketball.

Serbia, despite the loss, remains one of the deepest teams in the field. Jokic’s brilliance alongside experienced international talent ensures they will still be considered one of the favorites — but Finland, led by a red-hot Markkanen, will test their defensive versatility and mental toughness immediately.

Portugal’s grit in advancing despite adversity underscores the unpredictable nature of EuroBasket. Meanwhile, Sweden, riding the momentum of point-differential survival, will now be tasked with slowing down one of the hottest teams in the tournament in Turkiye.

EuroBasket’s Competitive Balance on Full Display

If Wednesday proved anything, it’s that no game is safe. Traditional powerhouses can stumble, rising nations can thrive, and single moments can shift entire tournament paths. The level of play has been exceptional — perhaps the highest we’ve seen so far in this year’s competition — and the drama is only beginning.

Thursday will finalize the last two spots from Group C, completing the knockout bracket and setting the stage for a weekend of high-stakes basketball. From there, every matchup becomes a win-or-go-home showdown, with NBA talent, European veterans, and national pride all colliding on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

And if Wednesday’s Sengun vs. Jokic duel is any indication, fans are in for something special.