Courtside Global

Image : UAE Basketball Association  The curtain has officially closed on the 35th Dubai Basketball Championship 2026, and once again the tournament delivered a week full of intensity, surprises, and high-level international competition. From the group stage all the way to the final day, Dubai reaffirmed its place as one of the region’s most important basketball showcases. The last day featured two key matchups that drew plenty of attention: the third-place game between Beirut First Club and Al-Ittihad, and the championship final between the UAE National Team and Club Africain. Both games carried pressure, storylines, and something to prove. Club Africain of Tunisia completed an impressive tournament by defeating the UAE National Team 93–77 in the final. The game was largely decided early, as Club Africain came out aggressive and poured in 37 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the night. Their physical play, ball movement, and shot-making were consistent f...

Some games are decided early. Others stay close. And then there are games like this one — the kind that keeps everyone on edge until the very last possession. In a dramatic clash at the Dubai Basketball Championship 2026, UAE National Team edged Al Ittihad Libya 97–96 in a game that had everything: big shots, momentum swings, star performances, and a heartbreaking finish for the Libyan side. Image : FIBA From the opening tip, both teams made it clear this would be a battle. Al Ittihad started strong, taking the first quarter 24–21 behind aggressive drives and solid interior finishing. UAE answered in the second quarter, tightening their defense and moving the ball well to narrow the gap, but Al Ittihad still entered halftime with a slim 53–47 lead. The third quarter turned into a trading-buckets affair. Every UAE run was matched by an Al Ittihad response, as neither team managed to create real separation. Heading into the final quarter, the scoreboard reflected how evenly matched these...

After an exciting group stage filled with close games, big performances, and a few surprises, the tournament now moves into its most important phase: the knockout rounds. Eight teams remain, and every game from here on is win-or-go-home. Group A was dominated by the UAE National Team, who finished a perfect 4–0. They looked organized, deep, and confident from the opening day, sending a clear message that they are serious contenders for the title. Behind them, Al-Wahda and Al-Ittihad both closed the group with 2–2 records, showing solid consistency, while Al-Nasr and Homs Al-Fidaa ended their campaigns at 1–3 and will not advance. Group B was much tighter. Club Africain and Al-Ahli Tripoli both finished at 3–1, separating themselves at the top with strong, disciplined performances. Beirut First Club ended the group in third place at 2–2, earning a well-deserved spot in the quarter-finals, while Al-Karameh and Zamboanga Valientes finished at 1–3. Now, attention turns to the quarter-final...

 Another exciting day of action at the Dubai Basketball Championship delivered three very different games — a blowout, a physical battle, and a high-scoring thriller. Here’s a full breakdown of today’s results and the players who stood out. Al Ittihad 112 – Homs Al Fidaa 89 Al Ittihad sent a clear message with a dominant performance against Homs Al Fidaa, controlling the tempo from start to finish and pulling away comfortably. The star of the game was Z. Lofton, who was simply unstoppable: • Z. Lofton – 40 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists • J. Samuel – 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists • M. Sadi – 18 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists • A. Rizq – 17 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists For Homs Al Fidaa, there were strong individual efforts despite the loss: • T. Al-Jabi – 27 points • M. Burwell – 24 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists • O. Sheikh Ali – 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists Al Ittihad’s depth and balance were the difference, with multiple players contributing across the board. Club Africai...

Al Ittihad put on an impressive show in Dubai, pulling away early and never looking back on their way to a convincing 112–89 win over Homs Al Fidaa. From the opening minutes, the pace, physicality, and shot-making all tilted in one direction. This was not a one-man show. It was a full team performance, highlighted by a superstar night from Z. Lofton and strong contributions across the roster. ⭐ The Star of the Night • Z. Lofton (Al Ittihad) 40 points | 6 rebounds | 2 assists Lofton was simply unguardable. He scored at all three levels, attacked mismatches, and punished every defensive coverage. Whenever Homs tried to make a run, Lofton had an answer. 🔥 Al Ittihad’s Supporting Cast Stepped Up • M. Sadi 18 points | 9 rebounds | 7 assists Did a little bit of everything and came close to a triple-double. • J. Samuel 18 points | 5 rebounds | 4 assists Consistent scoring and strong defensive effort. • A. Rizq 17 points | 15 rebounds | 5 assists Absolute force inside. Controlled the boards a...

 Beirut SC continued their strong run at the Dubai Basketball Championship 2026 with a hard-fought 95–83 overtime victory over Tunisia’s Club Africain on Monday afternoon. It was not a pretty game. It was not an easy game. But it was a valuable one. Against a physical Tunisian side filled with national team-level talent, Beirut showed maturity, composure, and late-game execution. AJ English Takes Over The story of the game starts with AJ English. The veteran guard delivered a dominant performance: 32 points 7 rebounds 4 assists 31 efficiency rating Whenever Beirut needed a bucket, English answered. Whether attacking the rim, creating space off the dribble, or knocking down tough jumpers, English was the offensive engine that kept Beirut alive across regulation and ultimately pushed them over the top in overtime. Jad El Hajj Orchestrates the Win While English handled the scoring load, Jad El Hajj controlled the rhythm. El Hajj finished with: 20 points ...