Sagesse opened its Final 8 playoff series against Homenetmen in emphatic fashion, cruising to a commanding 118-98 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five matchup.
The Green Castle delivered one of its most complete performances of the season, showcasing its offensive firepower and depth in front of a packed crowd eager to witness the long-awaited playoff showdown.
Leading the way was American star Deshawndre Washington, who produced a sensational triple-double with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 12 assists while controlling the game from start to finish. Washington dictated the tempo offensively and repeatedly punished Homenetmen’s defense with his scoring and playmaking.
Youssef Khayat continued his impressive development with 23 points and 8 rebounds, providing a major offensive spark and proving once again why he is considered one of Lebanon’s brightest young talents.
Making his highly anticipated return to Lebanese basketball, Sekou Doumbouya wasted no time making an impact. The former NBA forward finished with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in his first appearance back with Sagesse, giving fans a glimpse of the firepower he brings to the roster.
Simi Shittu controlled the paint with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds while adding 4 assists and 2 blocks, anchoring Sagesse on both ends of the floor.
Captain Jad Khalil contributed 12 points and 7 assists, while veteran center Gerard Hadidian added 11 points and 7 rebounds off the bench to help maintain Sagesse’s momentum throughout the contest.
Despite the loss, Homenetmen received strong performances from its star players.
Jordan Stevens finished with 30 points, 2 rebounds, and 9 assists, doing everything possible to keep his team within striking distance. New signing Dikembe Dixon impressed in his debut, recording 27 points and 8 rebounds while showing why he was brought in for the playoff push.
However, Homenetmen struggled to contain Sagesse’s balanced attack and could not overcome the offensive explosion from the Green Castle, which had six players score in double figures.
The victory gives Sagesse an early advantage in what was expected to be one of the most competitive Final 8 matchups. With Doumbouya settling in quickly and Washington playing at an MVP level, Sagesse sent a clear message to the rest of the league.
Homenetmen will now look to regroup before Game 2 as they attempt to even the series and avoid falling into a difficult 0-2 hole.
For now, Game 1 belonged to Sagesse.