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jun 19 2026Fenerbahce reclaimed the Turkish title after a thrilling final decided at the buzzer. The Istanbul squad defeated Besiktas 77-75 on the road in Game 4 of the series, clinching the championship with a decisive three-pointer by Tarik Biberovic with 1.9 seconds remaining, set up by an extraordinary assist from Wade Baldwin.
The defending champion retained its throne in a final filled with tension, featuring four highly competitive games and a nail-biting conclusion. Besiktas had the feeling for much of the game that it could force a fifth matchup, especially after opening a double-digit lead early in the third quarter. However, Fenerbahce held firm, chipped away at the deficit, and entered the fourth period with the game wide open after tying the score at 54.
Wade Baldwin was the defending champion's offensive leader with 21 points, while Biberovic finished with 17 and Mikael Jantunen contributed 12. For Besiktas, Yigit Arslan posted 19 points, Devonte Dotson added 15, and Matt Thomas finished with 11.
The fourth quarter had all the ingredients of a championship final. Dotson kept Besiktas afloat with several crucial three-pointers and the home team arrived with real chances to win, but the ending proved cruel for the hosts. With possession to potentially seal the game, Arslan turned the ball over and Fenerbahce ran the transition that decided the championship.
Baldwin attacked the rim, found himself with virtually no angle, and from an almost impossible position, found Biberovic open. The small forward didn't hesitate and converted the three-pointer that made it 77-75 with 1.9 seconds remaining. Besiktas still had one last chance in Dotson's hands, but his forced shot missed the rim.
With that play, Fenerbahce sealed a dramatic victory, closed out the series, and successfully defended the Turkish league title in one of those finals remembered for a single image: Baldwin's impossible pass and Biberovic's three-pointer to claim another championship.
