Maccabi Tel Aviv's Jalen Hood Scores Controversial Winning Basket as France Edges Serbia 91-90

In a closely contested friendly basketball match on August 23, 2026, France narrowly defeated Serbia 91-90, with Maccabi Tel Aviv player Jalen Hood scoring the decisive buzzer-beater. Hood contributed only four points in the game but made the winning basket after Serbian star Nikola Jokic slowed down on defense during the final possession. The play quickly went viral, amassing millions of views across social media and sparking widespread debate across European sports media.

French outlets praised Hood's speed and clutch performance, highlighting the victory as a significant revenge over Serbia. However, Serbian media and fans heavily criticized the legality of Hood's winning basket, claiming it involved an illegal traveling violation that referees failed to call. They also faulted Jokic and the Serbian defense for their slow reaction in the final moments, describing it as a critical lapse that cost them the game. Commentators from various outlets, including Kurir and DAZN, labeled the defensive breakdown as embarrassing and a fundamental error.

The Serbian press noted that despite Serbia's impressive comeback from a 19-point deficit, their defense faltered at the crucial moment, allowing Hood to secure the win. The controversy over the final play has fueled discussions about officiating and defensive discipline ahead of future international competitions. The full game highlights have been widely shared online, further amplifying the debate.

The game featured two of the world's top basketball teams, with France led by Victor Wembanyama and Serbia by Nikola Jokic. The outcome and the disputed final basket have left European basketball fans and analysts divided, with Serbia vowing to address the defensive and officiating issues moving forward.