On March 4, 2025, the basketball club Astana faced another heart-wrenching defeat, losing to Pari Nizhny Novgorod 84-82 after overtime at the Velotrek Saryarka arena. The game was marked by intense competition, as Astana managed to mount an impressive comeback, only to falter again when it mattered most.
The match marked the first overtime for Astana this season, who had previously avoided such scenarios even during their only victory against Samara. This time, after trailing throughout much of the game, Astana showed resilience. Initially, they jumped to a quick 5-0 lead; unfortunately, they soon found themselves reeling after allowing Nizhny Novgorod to score 14 unanswered points, ending the first quarter down 26-16.
The second quarter saw Astana's troubles deepen, with Nizhny Novgorod extending their lead to 17 points. At this juncture, it looked as if Astana would return to one of their lackluster performances of earlier this season, where they would capitulate without much fight.
Yet, the tide began to shift before halftime. Astana, showing renewed effort, began closing the gap, finishing the second quarter with only eight points down. The third quarter continued this trend, with Astana steadily chipping away at their deficit, entering the final quarter with the momentum firmly on their side.
By the end of regulation, both teams found themselves tied at 80 points apiece, sending the match to overtime. "We showed good numbers. This match showed us the work we are doing is beginning to pay off," said Gleb Plotnikov, head coach of Astana, reflecting on the positive strides amid the loss.
During overtime, Astana initially seized the lead, but Nizhny Novgorod regained their composure and pulled off the victory with key plays. The final minutes saw Nizhny capitalizing on their defense and Astana faltering under pressure, leading to the narrow final score of 84-82. The overtime period itself was low-scoring with only six points, underscoring the defensive prowess of both teams.
TiJae Starks was the standout player for Astana, scoring 23 points, making his return notable as he had been sidelined for five months due to injury. Despite this, the team has had difficulty breaking free from their losing streak, with this defeat marking their 33rd loss this season against only one victory.
Before the match, Astana sat firmly at the bottom of the VTB United League standings, and this loss only deepened their predicament. They were set to face Uralmash from Yekaterinburg on March 8, 2025, hoping to recover from their recent string of defeats.
Sergey Kozin, head coach of Nizhny Novgorod, noted the quality of Astana's play, stating, "First of all, I want to congratulate Astana. They showed quality basketball today.” His thoughts reflect the reality of the growing competitiveness within the league, as teams are aware they cannot underestimate their opponents regardless of their current standings.
This game is more than just another loss for Astana; it signifies their struggle yet hints at potential for growth moving forward. With key adjustments and sustained effort, the team hopes to leverage what they have learned from this encounter to forge future victories.
Astana's next immediate challenge against Uralmash looks to be pivotal, offering them the chance to shift momentum and strive for redemption at their home court. With hopes riding on Starks' performance and the team’s cohesion, the upcoming matches will be closely watched by fans eager to witness a turnaround.
Despite the challenging season so far, the fight shown by Astana against higher-ranked opponents like Nizhny Novgorod promises excitement and the possibility for improvement. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how Astana can build on this overtime experience and turn around their fortunes as the season progresses.