Paris' Silent Assassin: Stefan Jovic dictates tempo & dominates over Baskonia, Jakubauskas
- Euroleague
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
In a commanding playoff performance that rewrote expectations, Serbian esports ace Stefan Jovic guided Paris Basketball to a 3-0 series sweep over Baskonia, piloted by Lithuanian gamer Nerijus Jakubauskas. Despite being seeded 10th after the regular season and facing the 7th-seeded Jakubauskas, the one-time Cyber Euroleague champion proved his pedigree by demolishing his opponent in three straight games. With this victory, Jovic has propelled himself and Paris into the Cyber Euroleague’s prestigious Top 8.
Game 1: Paris Pounces with Precision Shooting and Smart Ball Movement
Final Score: Paris 75 – Baskonia 67
Quarter Breakdown: 20-16, 18-14, 20-13, 17-24
The opening clash of the series showcased Paris' balanced offense and deadly perimeter shooting. T.J. Shorts was unstoppable, registering 22 points and 10 assists with surgical accuracy (10-16 FG). Nadir Hifi and Jantunen supported with double-digit contributions, while the team hit 10 of 21 from beyond the arc at a scorching 48%.
Although Baskonia kept the game close with a dominant inside game (38 points in the paint), their shaky 3-point shooting and 8 turnovers prevented a fourth-quarter comeback. Baldwin’s 13 points and 4 assists weren’t enough to swing the tide as Paris executed a clean finish despite some late pressure.
Game 2: Stefan Jovic dominates Baskonia all game long: Defensive Masterclass and Dominance on the Glass
Final Score: Paris 78 – Baskonia 56
Quarter Breakdown: 19-15, 15-11, 19-17, 25-13
Game 2 turned into a showcase of Paris' elite defensive structure. Jovic’s squad limited Baskonia to just 40% shooting from the field and capitalized on 9 turnovers. Meanwhile, Paris shot a deadly 11-of-24 from downtown and added 12 offensive rebounds, creating valuable second-chance opportunities.
Tyson Ward exploded with 21 points (4-of-5 from three), while Hayes delivered a monstrous double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds, dominating the boards. Baskonia’s Forrest had a solid outing with 15 points, but the team never recovered from a lackluster second quarter, as Paris and Stefan Jovic dominates and outpaces them with relentless tempo and rebounding grit.
Game 3: Paris Closes the Series with Clutch Composure
Final Score: Paris 71 – Baskonia 62
Quarter Breakdown: 18-21, 21-14, 14-19, 18-8
With Baskonia desperate to stay alive, Game 3 was the tightest contest of the series—until the final quarter. Tied after three, Jovic’s Paris outscored Baskonia 18-8 in the fourth, silencing any thoughts of a comeback.
T.J. Shorts again led with 23 points and 10 assists, putting on a dazzling playmaking display. Hayes added 12 points and was a defensive anchor. Meanwhile, Baskonia’s Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot put up 14 points, but it wasn’t enough against Paris’ disciplined rotations and fourth-quarter lockdown defense.
The stats told the tale: Paris shot 54% from the field compared to Baskonia’s 45%, committed fewer turnovers, and moved the ball with superior fluidity. The contrast in bench production (21 vs 14) and 3-point shooting (9-of-20 vs 7-of-23) gave Paris the edge in the game—and the series.
Jovic’s Statement Victory: From 10th Seed to Serious Contender
What makes this series sweep more impressive is the underdog seeding of Paris coming into the Top 16. But Stefan Jovic, a seasoned Cyber Euroleague veteran, displayed tactical supremacy, elite shot selection, and smart pacing throughout the series. While Jakubauskas’ Baskonia brought athleticism and paint scoring, they lacked the cohesion and outside shooting needed to handle Paris' multidimensional offense.
Now, Jovic advances to the quarterfinals, eyeing his second Cyber Euroleague crown—and based on this performance, he might just be the dark horse to take it all.
