By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Preparations for Game 3 of the AdmiralBet ABA League Finals have been marked by a violent act as Partizan Mozzart Bet and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet exchanged team practices in Belgrade Arena on Sunday morning.
James Nunnally of Partizan punched Stefan Lazarevic of Zvezda following a brief exchange during the departure and entrance of teams on the court, as reported by Serbian outlet Meridian Sport. The 27-year-old forward of Zvezda inquiring about a specific rough defense in Game 2 was met with a punch to the head, as noted.
Crvena Zvezda later officially confirmed the incident, displaying the facial injuries of the player.
KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet obaveštava javnost da je u nedelju u prepodnevnim časovima, Stefan Lazarević zadobio povrede koje se karakterišu kao „teške telesne povrede“ nakon fizičkog napada od strane igrača KK Partizan Džejmsa Nanelija #kkcz https://t.co/2hXQXvwVeE
— KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) May 19, 2024
“Crvena Zvezda strongly condemns this act. Due to the seriousness of the injury, we expect a reaction from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is currently taking statements and conducting an investigation along with judicial authorities because this act is treated as “causing grievous bodily harm”, under the criminal code of the Republic or Serbia. Also, we expect an immediate reaction of the ABA League to an unprecedented incident in this league.”
Partizan issued a statement saying that it was Lazarevic who initiated the right by grabbing Nunnaly by the neck. The reigning ABA champions also mention that this can be seen in the complete video from the security cameras which isn’t available because someone deleted.
“Partizan adds as a curious fact that Zvezda sports director Milan Dozet suggested to Partizan represenatatives after the incident that everything should be forgotten and the recordings deleted. Partizan refused,” the club also states.
Heading to Game 3 in Belgrade Arena on Sunday evening, the team coached by Giannis Sfairopoulos carries a 2-0 lead.
ABA Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet – SC Derby 2-0 (83-81, 92-77)
Mega MIS – Cedevita Olimpija 2-0 (119-98, 85-71)
Partizan Mozzart Bet – Igokea m:tel 2-0 (94-85, 101-80)
Buducnost VOLI – Zadar 2-0 (100-69, 80-73)
Semifinals (best-of-three)
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet – Mega MIS 2-0 (103-73, 94-69)
Partizan Mozzart Bet – Buducnost VOLI 2-1 (78-67, 73-74, 100-86)
Finals (best-of-five)
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet – Partizan Mozzart Bet 2-0 (85-82, 80-73)
Photo Credit: ABA-Liga.com