Flamengo fights back but falls short in Intercontinental debut
The debut of Flamengo in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup was filled with tension, drama, and a heartbreaking ending. The team, which came into the tournament with the ambition of chasing its third world title, faced the NBA G-League United and, despite a thrilling comeback in the final quarter, ended up defeated by just two points, 93 to 91.
The game began balanced, with Flamengo holding its own in the first quarter. Players like Cummings and Shaq Johnson stood out early, while Devin Williams was the most consistent on the G-League side. Still, it was clear from the second quarter that things wouldn’t come easy. Flamengo’s offense lost rhythm, and the Americans took advantage, going into halftime with a nine-point lead.
After the break, the game picked up pace. Dee Bost and Shaq Johnson pushed Flamengo forward, but the G-League responded with strong plays from Feron Hunt. The margin widened, and the Brazilians entered the final period with a real uphill battle. That’s when the drama began.
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In the fourth quarter, Flamengo delivered a reaction that could be described as epic. Gui Deodato, in particular, shined, scoring heavily and lifting the team’s energy. The difference was erased, and at one point, the rubro-negro side even managed to take the lead. The crowd watching could feel that momentum was shifting, and belief in a historic turnaround spread.
But basketball is a game of details. Free throws, which should have secured the advantage, became a problem. Flamengo hit only 37% from the line, and that inefficiency proved costly. With seconds left on the clock, the G-League team had the last possession, and the decisive basket went their way. The buzzer sounded with Flamengo behind, leaving the players frustrated but aware they had fought until the final moment.
Gui Deodato and Shaq Johnson led Flamengo with 20 points each, while Cummings contributed 15. Yet, the sense in the locker room was that the reaction had come too late. Alexey, speaking after the match, admitted that the team waited too long to adjust and only found the right energy once the gap was already wide.
The mission is now clear: to stay alive in the competition, Flamengo must beat the Australian side Illawarra Hawks in the next match. Not only is victory needed, but it must come by more than two points. If that happens, and with a little help from results in other games, Flamengo can still reach the final and keep its dream of a third world crown alive.
For fans, the message is simple—this was just the first chapter. The determination was shown, the mistakes were noted, and the chance for redemption is just around the corner. The tournament is far from over, and Flamengo’s fight continues.
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