Besiktas burst into the season in dominant fashion, posting a perfect 13-0 record in the Turkish Super League, and despite suffering four defeats in the EuroCup, everything seemed to be unfolding according to the master plan of head coach Dusan Alimpijevic.
*from Basketball Sphere correspondent in Istanbul, Alper Gocmez*
That was the case until about a month ago. Then, the engine began to lose power. Offensive struggles and a noticeable drop in defensive intensity saw Besiktas show clear signs of fatigue throughout December, even though they managed to preserve their winning habit through sheer competitiveness. It is worth noting that this was by far the best start to a season in the club’s history, and it is hard to imagine anyone in the future replicating what the architect of Besiktas basketball, Serbian coach Dusan Alimpijevic, has achieved.
The turning point came on January 4. In a high-stakes clash against their biggest rival, Fenerbahce, Besiktas suffered a heavy home defeat, 87-101, bringing their unbeaten streak to an end. The team’s weaknesses suddenly became visible to everyone. Another loss followed, this time against Galatasaray, led by new head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco, and the alarm bells started ringing loudly. Even Dusan Alimpijevic looked unusually subdued on the sidelines, lacking his trademark energy.
Determined not to let the season slip away, the Besiktas front office made a bold move on the market. In fact, they made two excellent ones. First, Matt Thomas arrived from Granada, a well-known three-point specialist. This season, over 14 games played, Matt Thomas has averaged 14.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and two assists per game, shooting an impressive 46.2 percent from both two-point range and beyond the arc, while converting 88 percent of his free throws.
Ozkan Arseven made it clear that he is fully backing the Serbian coach.
“Interfering with team chemistry by bringing in players the coach does not want is not how a club should be run, as it would disrupt team balance. We firmly stand behind all the transfers the coach has made so far, as well as those that will be completed in the future.
The player market is currently limited, and we will not make signings just for the sake of it. This is a joint stance of the coaching staff and the management. Be calm, at least one quality reinforcement will be added, and every player the coach wants will be brought in before the end of the transfer window,” the general manager of the Black and Whites emphasized.
Claim Now With the arrival of this duo just before the clash against Bourg, a clear message was sent. Besiktas stepped onto the court wounded, but highly motivated to prove themselves. Despite defensive issues, their offense remained calm and efficient in crucial moments. The deep rotation managed by Dusan Alimpijevic kept the team fresh, allowing them to dominate the closing stages and execute with precision when it mattered most. Matt Thomas made his debut for his new club, though understandably played only eight minutes, scoring two points and dishing out two assists. Sertac Sanli did not enter the game, with his impact expected later in the season.
When it mattered most, the biggest burden was carried by Ante Zizic, who finished with 26 points and four rebounds on an outstanding 9-of-10 shooting from the field. Jonah Matthews contributed 21 points and five assists, once again delivering when the pressure was highest. Shooting 8-of-16 from the floor, he reminded the European basketball public just how impactful a player he is, and why Dusan Alimpijevic trusted him the most. His move from the EuroLeague to the EuroCup has proven to be a winning combination, both for himself and for Besiktas.
At what represented the ultimate psychological crossroads of the season, Besiktas fought a battle for survival not in terms of results, but in proving that this team is capable of delivering its best performance when it is needed most. In doing so, they once again established themselves as a serious force and one of the main contenders for the EuroCup title. That goal was set before the season began, and it certainly will not be easy to achieve in such strong competition, but it is clear that the road ahead will be filled with challenges and obstacles.
Statistically, Besiktas boast the second-best offensive rating in the EuroCup, scoring an impressive 122.9 points per 100 possessions, with only Hapoel Jerusalem ahead of them. Defensively, they allow 111.4 points per 100 possessions, an area that proved problematic in losses to Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.
As a team, they are shooting an outstanding 39 percent from three-point range. The arrival of Matt Thomas, whose greatest weapon is precisely his three-point shooting, along with Sertac Sanli, a center capable of stretching the floor, should only further enhance the offensive threat of Dusan Alimpijevic’s squad.
Geceyi domine etti. 🔥
— Beşiktaş GAİN (@BJK_Basketbol) January 14, 2026
𝑴𝑽𝑷 👑 𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑬 𝒁𝑰𝒁𝑰𝑪
🏀 26 sayı
🎯 9/10 saha içi isabeti
🛡️ 4 ribaund
💫 34 VP pic.twitter.com/7uin1bznAA
A controlled pace, the fifth-slowest in the EuroCup at 74 possessions per game, is another hallmark of this team. Everyone knows who does what, and when, which is crucial in tense finishes like the one against Bourg, where pressure, refereeing decisions, and momentum can be costly, or in Besiktas’ case, serve as additional fuel for upcoming challenges.
And there will certainly be more to come. The club’s management has given full support to Dusan Alimpijevic and the team, while the fan base, one of the largest in Europe, continues to stand firmly behind them. Recently, the head coach himself spoke about filling the arena even during matinee games in the Turkish Super League, so there is little reason to doubt that same level of support when the most important battles on the road to the EuroLeague are fought.
Step by step, without skipping levels, because that is the only right path. The basketball mosaic has gained two new pieces in Matt Thomas and Sertac Sanli, while the rest of the roster has already shown it possesses identity and, above all, strong basketball character.
It remains to be seen how far that will take them.
The goal is not too far away, but it is not close either.
🔥 Beşiktaş GAİN'in başında 100. galibiyet!
— Beşiktaş GAİN (@BJK_Basketbol) January 14, 2026
𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐉𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐂 💪 pic.twitter.com/sJeaCytxo7
INTERVIEWS:
- Jaka Lakovic: Zeljko Obradovic simply puts you into a mode where you constantly think about basketball
- Zlatko Jovanovic: I stand behind my decision, Honved is living its dream and continues to dream!
- Sani Becirovic: Zenit is thinking seriously, and in the next year or two we are aiming for the highest level
- Levi Randolph: I know what the EuroLeague is, and I hope to play at that level again wearing the Zenit jersey
- Zac Seljaas: I’m a unique person, family means everything to me
- Aleksa Avramovic: Defense wins championships – for sure!
- Nenad Dimitrijevic: It’s sad for the EuroLeague and Partizan that Zeljko Obradovic left
- Ilona Korstin: We are in contact with both the EuroLeague and the NBA, we are present in all meetings
- Bogdan Tanjevic: The main difference between Partizan and Crvena Zvezda – domestic players still lead the way
- Nicolo Melli: We had no-phone rules with Zeljko Obradovic; There was interest from Partizan
- Bo McCalebb: How can you not respect Zeljko Obradovic? My only regret is that I didn’t listen to him enough
