The basketball world turns its attention to one of Europe’s premier matchups. On Friday afternoon, Nikola Jokić prepares to lead Serbia against Portugal in a pivotal FIBA EuroBasket 2025 clash. The drama builds as two unbeaten teams collide with playoff positioning on the line.
The Denver Nuggets superstar enters this contest riding momentum from his steady 11-point, 10-rebound double-double performance that helped Serbia dismantle Estonia in a commanding 98-64 victory on opening day. That dominant win places Serbia among the tournament’s three unbeaten teams in Group A, alongside Portugal and Turkey, setting up a crucial test of championship credentials.
How Will This Serbia vs Portugal Showdown Impact Group A Standings?
The two teams square off at Riga Arena at 2:15 p.m. ET in what promises to be a defining moment for both squads. While EuroBasket 2025 isn’t available on traditional TV networks in the United States, fans can catch all the action live on Courtside 1891. The streaming service offers two subscription tiers accessible through DAZN, ensuring no one misses this high-stakes encounter.
Adding to the excitement, reports indicate that the semifinals and final will stream live on YouTube, bringing the tournament’s biggest moments to an even wider audience. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as only the top four teams from each group will advance to the knockout round.
What Does Portugal’s Neemias Queta Think About Facing Jokić?
The buildup to Friday’s clash has been electric, with Portugal’s Neemias Queta offering insight into his team’s approach to facing the three-time NBA MVP. Speaking to the media ahead of their showdown with Jokić’s Serbia, the Boston Celtics center revealed the mindset driving his squad forward.
Per Basketball Sphere, “We are ready regardless of the opponent,” Queta stated with confidence.
“We’ve always wanted to be here, and it wasn’t easy. We worked hard just to reach EuroBasket and are proud of what we’ve achieved. We don’t have the luxury to look ahead; we have to take it game by game. Our goal is to give everything every second, no matter the rival.”
Neemias Queta will face Nikola Jokic when Portugal takes on Serbia today at 2:15pm ET.
Queta is coming off a monster opening EuroBasket game in which he tallied 23 points, 18 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals.
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) August 29, 2025
When discussing Serbia specifically, Queta emphasized the team-first approach needed to contain the reigning NBA Finals MVP. “We have to play as a team against him, against Serbia. We all know who Jokic is and how much he makes his teammates better.”
Portugal has every reason for optimism after their tournament opener. Queta and his teammates announced their arrival with authority, delivering a statement victory over the Czech Republic. The center’s exceptional double-double performance of 23 points and 18 rebounds served notice that Portugal came to compete at the highest level.
This European tournament showcases basketball’s global reach, featuring a constellation of NBA superstars representing their home countries. The likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo suiting up for Greece and Luka Dončić leading Slovenia add tremendous star power to the competition. Other notable NBA names include Alperen Sengun, Bogdan Bogdanović, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Nikola Vučević, creating must-watch matchups throughout the tournament.