# Beşiktaş loses narrow EuroLeague opener to Valencia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/beikta-return-to-euroleague-basketball
> Updated: 2026-09-24T19:25:28.000Z. Sources: 45. Developments: 2.

Beşiktaş marked its return to the EuroLeague after a 13-season absence with a narrow 96-94 defeat against Spanish side Valencia Basket. The match, held at the Turkcell Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi, was a high-tempo contest where Beşiktaş fought back from a double-digit deficit to tie the game in the final period.

Valencia secured the victory in the closing minutes, aided by a decisive performance from TJ Shorts, who scored 26 points. Other notable contributors for the Spanish side included Nikola Mirotic with 13 points. Beşiktaş's efforts were led by Eugene Omoruyi and Jaylen Nowell, who both scored 17 points.

Following the match, head coach Dusan Alimpijevic noted that while the team showed a “fighting character,” defensive issues and rebounding—specifically allowing 16 offensive rebounds—were key factors in the loss. The game also brought injury concerns for Beşiktaş, as player Dakvan Jeffries suffered a broken wrist during play. Beşiktaş, who entered the tournament via a one-year wild card, will look to bounce back in their next fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

## Claims

- TJ Shorts struggled to find a role under Ergin Ataman at Panathinaikos (corroborated by 3 sources)
- TJ Shorts scored 26 points in his EuroLeague debut for Valencia (single source)
- Valencia defeated Besiktas 96-94 in their EuroLeague season opener (single source)
- TJ Shorts played 23 minutes and 33 seconds during his debut (single source)
- TJ Shorts averaged 7.8 points and 3 assists during his time with Panathinaikos (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-24: Valencia Basket defeats Beşiktaş 96-94 in EuroLeague opener

Valencia Basket defeated Beşiktaş 96-94 in their EuroLeague season opener, led by TJ Shorts' 26 points in a high-intensity match in Istanbul.

43 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/beikta-returns-to-euroleague-after-13-year-absence-1

### 2026-09-22: Beşiktaş returns to EuroLeague after 13-year absence

Beşiktaş returns to the EuroLeague after 13 years, significantly strengthening its roster with nine new players to compete at the highest level of European basketball.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/beikta-returns-to-euroleague-after-13-year-absence

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Cite as: Beşiktaş loses narrow EuroLeague opener to Valencia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/beikta-return-to-euroleague-basketball