Dante Exum reveals Yabusele didn't apologize to him, criticizes EuroLeague for fines in Game 2 / News - Basketnews.com

Dante Exum revealed Guerschon Yabusele didn't apologise to him after a body slam, adding that the brawl in Game 2 completely changed the series due to suspensions that EuroLeague gave.

Credit: Jesus Orihuela/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Jesus Orihuela/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade missed out on the Final Four in Kaunas after another close and emotional battle against Real Madrid in Game 5, but Dante Exum believes the whole series changed back in Game 2.

Player of the Game EFF 26 Sergio Rodriguez Points 19 Accuracy 8-11 Rebounds 3 Assists 6

The infamous brawl between Real and Partizan players took place, where Guerschon Yabusele slammed Exum into the ground, receiving a 5-game penalty.

Others involved players like Kevin Punter, Mathias Lessort, and Gabriel Deck also had to miss games because of it.

Despite the loss, Exum believes that Partizan was the team that should have traveled to Kaunas.

"There's nothing you can say," Exum reacted to the loss in Game 5. "We were up, we knew they can come out dirty, and that's just the way it goes. Obviously, [I'm] really disappointed. I think everyone knows we deserved it [to be in the Final Four]."

"The series changed when the bodies got slammed. 100%. We lost two of our guys [Mathias Lessort and Kevin Punter], I'm playing injured for the rest of the series. What else can you say?" Exum added.

The Australian also revealed that Yabusele didn't apologize to him, claiming that Real Madrid did what they did for the public eye.

"I think it's funny how they controlled the narrative and story," Exum said. "They came out in the media with all the apologies. I didn't get one apology straight from Yabusele. It just shows how they are. We keep our head high and focus on the ABA League now."

Exum was also not happy with the 5-game suspension on Yabusele. Partizan member believes the French forward should have been punished harder.

"I think everyone that plays basketball and saw the film knows that the punishment wasn't tough enough. I think everyone is shocked [Yabusele got suspended] for only five games. We are not playing WWE. What can I say?

3-pointers this season

37%9,1Points made:9,1Accuracy:36,8%Place in standings:9Record max:18Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Mario HezonjaTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

I think I even would have felt a little bit better about the situation if he even tried to apologize or do anything. But they did it through the media. I guess EuroLeague sucked it up and gave them light suspensions," Exum continued.

Partizan had a 2-0 lead but lost both games in Belgrade. Punter missed both games, while Lessort returned only for Game 4.

Credit Jesus Orihuela/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

In Exum's opinion, these suspensions shifted the series' momentum.

"Yes, 100%. KP [Kevin Punter] was coming out trying to protect me from someone hitting me from behind, and he [Gabriel Deck] gets one game [suspension].

He's [Punter] defending me and comes out, and the guy got his fists up to him. Of course, he's gonna defend himself. It's a joke. I think they knew what they were doing. We had the game, we should have won it. That's just it, but the series momentum definitely changed at that point," Exum shared his thought openly.

Speaking of Game 5, Partizan had an 18-point lead in the third quarter. Yet, just before the fourth quarter, Real Madrid cut the deficit to only 7 points and eventually took over the game.

Exum admitted that Partizan players lost their heads a little bit.

"We got into foul trouble, the lineups change. We were frustrated about some calls that were called. Obviously, they've been in a lot of such situations, they know how to take over the game," Exum concluded.

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