Paris Basketball has made a successful start to their 2025/26 playoff campaign, asserting dominance over SIG Strasbourg, who qualified through the play-in. As the top seed from the regular season, Paris controlled the game from the outset, building an early lead with strong performances from their point guards, Nadir Hifi (24 points) and Justin Robinson (15 points), to lead 46-39 at halftime. The team then decisively pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Strasbourg 26-11, which proved to be a critical turning point for the visitors.
Despite a solid start from Strasbourg, with Marcus Keene showing early accuracy and the team executing strong collective defense, their efforts were short-lived. Paris quickly responded with fast-break opportunities and late first-quarter baskets from Jared Rhoden, leaving the teams tied at 21 apiece. Paris then intensified their physicality in the second quarter, forcing Strasbourg into foul trouble and creating more open shots in the paint, though SIG managed to stay within striking distance by halftime.
The second half saw Paris take full control. Without needing to rely solely on high-level collective play, Paris capitalized on numerous fast-break chances, with Rhoden, Ouattara, and Morgan delivering impressive dunks, and Hifi hitting from beyond the arc, creating a spectacle at the Adidas Arena and extending their lead to 73-50 by the end of the third quarter. Strasbourg, with Mike David Jr. being a lone bright spot with 20 points, was unable to mount a comeback. Nadir Hifi, motivated to prove his scoring prowess beyond his season-best status, further dismantled Strasbourg’s defense in the final quarter.
Paris now leads the series 1-0 and is heading to Strasbourg for the next game. They are determined to avoid a physically and mentally draining Game 3, similar to their experience in Dijon last year, as they pursue their back-to-back championship goals.
