Beşiktaş defeated rival Galatasaray MCT Technic 83-80 in a fiercely contested Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi Round 4 encounter at the Turkcell Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi. Dusan Alimpijevic’s squad ground out the home victory to lift their early-season record to two wins, while the visitors dropped their third league match.
Derbi Drama at Turkcell Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi
The fixture delivered an intense tactical battle as Galatasaray entered the court under newly appointed head coach Manuchar Markoishvili. The visiting side established an early edge, taking the opening quarter 22-19 behind scoring contributions from Metu and Şehmus Hazer, after Galatasaray MCT Technic had finished the first 5 minutes 10-6 ahead. Beşiktaş countered through Furkan Korkmaz and Zizic, gradually wrestling away control of the tempo before intermission.
By halftime, the Black-and-Whites carved out a 44-39 advantage, extending that margin to 10 points midway through the third period following a driving layup from Korkmaz on the 27th minute. Galatasaray fought back late in the third stanza, sparked by a Buğrahan Tuncer three-pointer on the 29th minute that capped a 9-0 run and trimmed the deficit to a single point at 58-57, before Beşiktaş responded instantly with a three-pointer from Korkmaz to push the margin to 61-57.
Fourth-Quarter Surge Secures Home Victory
Beşiktaş answered every visiting surge in the final period, leaning on home support to rebuild a nine-point cushion at 69-60 following a dunk by Korkmaz in the 32nd minute. Galatasaray mounted a defensive stand, narrowing the gap on the 39th minute through a run capped by Nikolic, before Beşiktaş pulled away with three-pointers from Brown.
Clutch perimeter shooting from the hosts in the dying moments kept the visitors at bay. Despite a deep three-pointer from newly arrived American guard KJ Simpson in the closing seconds, Beşiktaş secured the 83-80 margin at the final buzzer.
Coaching Changes and Roster Adjustments
The encounter marked a turbulent sideline debut for Markoishvili, who took the helm of Galatasaray on October 16 following the departure of Italian head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco. The 39-year-old Georgian coach, previously in charge of French side Monaco, watched his new squad fall to a 1-3 league record.
On the opposing bench, Alimpijevic highlighted the physical toll of a packed calendar. Speaking to beIN Sports after the final whistle, the Beşiktaş head coach praised his medical and conditioning staff, emphasizing that navigating a double-week fixture schedule in European competition makes any victory against an arch-rival exceptionally vital.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray newcomer KJ Simpson made his club debut following his October 14 transfer, where the former Charlotte Hornets and Denver Nuggets guard contributed 12 points. Beşiktaş played without new addition Lonnie Walker IV, who rested ahead of anticipated participation in the upcoming EuroLeague derby against Anadolu Efes.
