How Lauri Markkanen Shocked the Basketball World by Toppling Serbia’s Nikola Jokic in EuroBasket’s Biggest Thriller

Serbia came into EuroBasket riding high as the favorite, and honestly, who could blame them? With Nikola Jokic, arguably the best basketball player today, leading the charge—plus that Olympic bronze and a silver at the last World Cup—expectations were sky-high. But sports love to throw curveballs, don’t they? In a stunning twist, Lauri Markkanen and his Finland squad dashed those hopes in the round of 16. I mean, Miro Little from UC Santa Barbara dropping 13 points and Elias Valtonen sinking that clutch three over Jokic late in the game? That’s the kind of drama that reminds you why we watch. Jokic delivered a beastly 33 points and eight boards, yet without Bogdan Bogdanovic’s steady presence—sidelined with a hamstring tweak—Serbia just couldn’t close the deal. Meanwhile, across the EuroBasket court, Turkiye’s Alperen Sengun – a Rockets player with 24 points and 16 rebounds – helped seal an 85-79 win over Sweden, pushing his team into the quarterfinals. The Baltic battle saw Lithuania outmuscle Latvia despite Kristaps Porzingis’ monster stat line of 34 points and 19 rebounds. Hawks fans should definitely perk up—Porzingis is showcasing more than just scoring prowess. Germany flexed their depth with a second-half surge to throttle Portugal 85-58, led by Franz Wagner’s steady 16 points and seven boards. And don’t overlook Celtics center Neemias Queta, who’s making a strong case for a bigger role with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Portugal. This tournament’s heating up in ways you just can’t predict! LEARN MORE

Serbia was the pre-tournament betting favorite to win EuroBasket, and with good reason. Led by the best player on the planet in Nikola Jokic, Serbia was the bronze medal winner at the Paris Olympics a year ago (and pushed the USA hard in the medal round), and it was the silver medalists at the last FIBA World Cup. It felt like their turn.

Serbia is out at EuroBasket in the round of 16, eliminated by Lauri Markkanen and Finland.

Miro Little, who plays his college ball for UC Santa Barbara, had 13 points for Finland in the win, as did Elias Valtonen, who had a clutch 3-pointer over Jokic late. Jokic did his part for Serbia, scoring 33 points with eight rebounds in the game, but Serbia missed the steady hand of Bogdan Bogdanovic (out with a hamstring injury).

In other EuroBasket action Saturday:

• Turkiye got 24 points and 16 rebounds from Rockets’ big man Alperen Sengun, and with that held off Sweden 85-79 to advance to the quarterfinals.

• In a Baltic showdown, Lithuania beat Latvia despite 34 points and 19 rebounds from Kristaps Porzingis. Hawks fans should be optimistic about Porzingis’ performance in this tournament, and it’s not just the points.

• Germany pulled away in the second half and handled Portugal to pick up the 85-58 win. Franz Wagner led a deep and balanced German side with 16 points and seven rebounds.

Celtics center Neemias Queta, about to be thrust into a larger role with the team, looked ready for the part with his play for Portugal at EuroBasket, including having 18 points and 11 rebounds in this game.