Alperen Sengun Outduels Nikola Jokic as Turkiye Stuns Serbia

In a heavyweight battle of All-Star NBA centers, it was Alperen Sengun who stole the show.

The Houston Rockets big man powered Turkiye to a 95-90 win over Nikola Jokic and Serbia, handing the Serbians their first defeat of EuroBasket.

🇹🇷 Alperen Sengun: 28 PTS 13 REB 8 AST
🇷🇸 Nikola Jokic: 22 PTS 9 REB 4 AST 3 STL

A duel for the ages in one of the best #EuroBasket games of all-time! pic.twitter.com/reO1uqA6dy

— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 3, 2025

With the victory, Turkiye remains unbeaten and clinches the top spot in Group A, while Serbia drops to four-and-one, settling for second place. It was billed as one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament, and Sengun lived up to the moment.

It was Alperen Sengun’s, as he dominated Jokic in stretches and controlled the pace when it mattered most.

His energy on both ends proved to be the difference in what many called the highest level of play EuroBasket has seen so far.

Following the battle, many are saying the nickname of ‘Baby Jokic’ for Sengun just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Shane Larkin on Alperen Sengun being called “Baby Jokic”:

“I don’t think he would want that nickname…

…That nickname was suiting for him a couple of years ago but he’s much bigger and much better than he was when they originally gave him that nickname.” pic.twitter.com/gY4dinfyn6

— Antonis Stroggylakis (@AStroggylakis) September 3, 2025

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Portugal and Sweden also secured their places in the knockout round. Celtics center Neemias Queta scored 15 points for Portugal in a win-or-go-home clash against Estonia before being ejected in the third quarter. Portugal held on 68-65. In Group B, Sweden advanced on point differential after Great Britain pulled off a shock win over Montenegro. Miami’s Pelle Larsson was key in helping Sweden book their place.

The most high-profile showdown of Round 16 will see Jokic and Serbia face off against Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, who has been a dominant force throughout the competition.

Two spots from Group C remain up for grabs, and those will be decided Thursday. But for now, the headlines belong to Sengun, who announced himself on Europe’s biggest stage with a performance that even Jokic couldn’t match.