Paris Basketball suffer second EuroLeague defeat

Paris Basketball’s European campaign has taken another setback, with the French runners-up still searching for their first EuroLeague victory after two games. The defeat also spoiled their opening home appearance in the competition and followed last week’s loss at Panathinaikos.

Partizan Belgrade won 92-79 after Paris held the advantage early. The hosts opened with a 10-0 run and led 18-15 after the first quarter, but the Serbian side recovered to take a 44-40 half-time lead. Paris remained within reach at 59-59 before Partizan pulled away in the final period, which ended 25-16 in the visitors’ favour.

Nadir Hifi led Paris with 19 points, while Tyson Ward scored 14 and Justin Robinson added 12. Carlik Jones produced 20 points for Partizan and Tonye Jekiri contributed 15 points and seven rebounds. Paris’ 20 turnovers helped the visitors retain control as the game progressed.

The result leaves Paris with consecutive defeats at the start of its European schedule, a difficult opening for a team that finished as France’s runner-up last season. Maxime Lefèvre’s side will have its next chance to change that record when Zalgiris Kaunas visits Paris on Thursday.