Published on March 20, 2026 at 09:25 PM by driblio.net
Date
2026-03-20
Venue
TELEKOM CENTER ATHENS
Round
Round 32
Attendance
0
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens overcame a difficult start to secure an 82-74 victory over Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in Round 32 of EuroLeague action at the TELEKOM CENTER ATHENS. After trailing by seven points entering the fourth quarter, the Greek powerhouse exploded for 27 points in the final period while limiting their Serbian opponents to just 12, turning a potential defeat into a convincing triumph.
The match began with Crvena Zvezda asserting their dominance, racing to a 27-20 advantage after the opening quarter. Jared Butler sparked the visitors early, contributing six points in the first period as Zvezda shot efficiently from beyond the arc. The second quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with the score locked at 21 apiece for the period, sending the teams to halftime with Zvezda maintaining a 48-41 lead.
The third quarter proved to be a defensive struggle, with both teams managing only 14 points each. Joel Bolomboy provided energy off the bench for Crvena Zvezda, scoring eight points in the period and helping maintain their cushion. For Panathinaikos, Nigel Hayes-Davis kept his team within striking distance, but the hosts still found themselves trailing 62-55 heading into the crucial final ten minutes.
Jared Butler continued to be a thorn in Panathinaikos' side through three quarters, displaying his scoring versatility with a mix of drives and three-point attempts. However, his efficiency would drop dramatically in the decisive fourth quarter as the home team's defensive pressure intensified significantly.
The final period belonged entirely to Panathinaikos. Kendrick Nunn, who had struggled with turnovers earlier in the game, found his rhythm at the perfect moment. The American guard erupted for 11 points in the fourth quarter alone, connecting on crucial three-pointers that energized both his teammates and the home crowd. His 19-point performance on 8-of-14 shooting proved instrumental in the comeback.
Nigel Hayes-Davis delivered a masterful all-around performance, finishing with a team-high 20 points on efficient 7-of-12 shooting, including three triples. Beyond his scoring, Hayes-Davis contributed with hustle plays, recording three steals and two assists while playing the entire 40 minutes. His veteran presence and ability to execute in critical moments exemplified leadership when Panathinaikos needed it most.
Kostas Sloukas orchestrated the offense brilliantly despite not scoring a single point. The Greek floor general dished out eight assists and grabbed four rebounds, controlling the tempo and making crucial decisions in the fourth quarter. His basketball IQ and passing ability created numerous open looks for his teammates during the decisive run.
Juancho Hernangomez provided a significant spark off the bench for Panathinaikos, contributing five points and a team-high nine rebounds in just over 20 minutes of action. His three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter gave Panathinaikos a lead they would never relinquish, and his defensive presence helped limit Zvezda's interior opportunities.
Nikolaos Rogkavopoulos also made important contributions as a reserve, scoring 13 points including a crucial three-pointer late in the game that extended the lead. The young Greek forward showed poise beyond his years, making smart decisions with the ball and crashing the boards effectively.
For Crvena Zvezda, Jared Butler led all scorers with 15 points but needed 19 shots to reach that total, finishing just 3-of-13 from three-point range. The American guard showed flashes of brilliance but couldn't maintain consistency against Panathinaikos' adjustments in the second half. His five assists demonstrated his playmaking ability, but two costly turnovers in the fourth quarter disrupted Zvezda's offensive rhythm.
Chima Moneke battled hard in the paint, scoring 12 points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting from the field and adding seven rebounds. However, the Nigerian forward struggled with foul trouble throughout the contest, committing three fouls that limited his effectiveness. His six successful free throws kept Zvezda competitive, but he couldn't replicate his efficient field goal shooting in the crucial moments.
Codi Miller-Mcintyre orchestrated the offense admirably with 10 assists, showing excellent court vision and decision-making. The American point guard scored nine points but more importantly facilitated Zvezda's offense throughout the match. His two steals demonstrated active hands on defense, but his team's collective fourth-quarter collapse proved too much to overcome.
Panathinaikos head coach made crucial adjustments entering the fourth quarter, implementing more aggressive ball pressure and switching defensive schemes that disrupted Crvena Zvezda's offensive flow. The hosts forced multiple turnovers in the final period, converting them into easy transition baskets that swung momentum decisively.
Joel Bolomboy provided solid production for Zvezda with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting and five rebounds, but his impact diminished in the fourth quarter as Panathinaikos' length bothered him near the basket. Jordan Nwora struggled with efficiency, managing just nine points on 3-of-8 shooting despite drawing four fouls and getting to the free-throw line.
The rebounding battle remained relatively even, with neither team establishing clear dominance on the glass. However, Panathinaikos' ability to secure defensive rebounds in the fourth quarter prevented second-chance opportunities for Zvezda, effectively ending possessions and allowing the hosts to control the game's pace.
Free throw shooting proved relatively inconsequential as neither team attempted a large volume from the charity stripe. However, ball security became a critical factor, particularly in the game's final stages. Crvena Zvezda committed several costly turnovers in the fourth quarter that led directly to Panathinaikos transition opportunities.
Semi Ojeleye contributed solid minutes off the bench for Zvezda, scoring four points and grabbing five rebounds while providing physical defense. His presence helped during various stretches, but like his teammates, he couldn't generate enough offense when it mattered most in the closing minutes.
This victory improves Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens' position in the EuroLeague standings as they continue their push toward playoff positioning. The ability to overcome a seven-point deficit entering the fourth quarter demonstrates championship character and mental toughness that will serve them well in future close contests.
For Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, the loss represents a missed opportunity after controlling much of the first three quarters. Their inability to maintain offensive efficiency in crunch time remains a concern as they navigate the challenging EuroLeague schedule. The Serbian club will need to find solutions for closing out tight games on the road against elite competition.
The 27-12 fourth quarter scoring disparity ultimately told the story of this contest, as Panathinaikos' superior execution and defensive intensity when the game hung in the balance proved to be the difference between victory and defeat.
| Rank | Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NIGEL HAYES-DAVIS | PAO | 20 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | KENDRICK NUNN | PAO | 19 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | JARED BUTLER | CZV | 15 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | NIKOLAOS ROGKAVOPOULOS | PAO | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| 5 | CHIMA MONEKE | CZV | 12 | 7 | 0 |
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 79-73, powered by a dominant 28-14 third quarter. Chima Moneke led all scorers with 21 points for Fenerbahce, but Ebuka Izundu's perfect shooting and Bonzie Colson's 15 points proved crucial for the hosts, ending Fenerbahce's seven-game winning streak.
Published on March 13, 2026 at 09:28 PM by driblio.net
Panathinaikos defeated Zalgiris Kaunas 92-88 in Round 31 EuroLeague action. Cedi Osman led with 24 points on perfect 7-of-7 shooting, while Kendrick Nunn added 22 points. Sylvain Francisco scored 23 points for Zalgiris in defeat. The home team controlled key moments despite persistent pressure from the visitors.
Published on March 12, 2026 at 10:17 PM by driblio.net
Olympiacos Piraeus defeated Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 86-80 in a thrilling EuroLeague Greek derby at Peace and Friendship Stadium. After building an early lead, Olympiacos withstood a third-quarter surge before dominating the final period 28-24. Nikola Milutinov and balanced scoring led the hosts, while Kendrick Nunn's 20 points couldn't prevent Panathinaikos' fourth loss in five games.
Published on March 6, 2026 at 09:32 PM by driblio.net
