The Turkish side turned a rip-roaring contest on its head after trailing by as many as 15 points against the reigning champs
Efes beats Panathinaikos, 76-79, to even the series
Game Report
3 Mins read
Anadolu Efes Istanbul levelled its Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoff series against reigning champion Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens after an impressive 76-79 road win in Game 2, having wiped out a 15-point deficit after trailing for the vast majority of the matchup.
Player of the game Shane Larkin paced Efes with a game-high 20 points, including 8 in a dramatic finish when Efes turned the game on its head and boosted its hopes of reaching the 2025 Final Four after missing out on the postseason twice in a row.
Big man Vincent Poirier racked up 16 points and 10 boards for the visitors, Perry Dozier chipped in with 14 points while Dan Oturu posted 11 points and 4 boards.
At the other end, former Efes prodigy Cedi Osman led Panathinaikos on 16 points while the regular season’s MVP Kendrick Nunn added 14 after enduring another tough night, having shot 6 of 17 from the floor and just 1 of 6 from downtown. Jerian Grant scored 11 points for the home team and Omer Yurtseven added 10, with the Greens committing 14 turnovers against just 17 assists.
Game Videos
- 02:40
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/b64df6b9-be98-4ad9-a84e-35b0cda31ed5.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A129%3A5]()
Masterpiece on the Mediterranean
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ur89jzArf-c/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Follow the Panathinaikos-Efes Game 2 post-game press conference
- 01:34
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/24/AsiaypPBbOgg7sMsp3KAb1T9reRsG3yQ-1745527699985.jpg]()
Shane Larkin: 'We just had to stay poised'
- 01:01
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/24/64wD0jgGc7NPAmWG3JMdAg3NR9sEmpMn-1745527727057.jpg]()
Vincent Poirier: 'We finished until the end'
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/e17354f8-b7ce-452d-9a15-d80d4de50cf7.jpg]()
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | PO Game 2 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:32
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/24/89uMelBfYzsomRVjNdLrTJBY4gVLTi72-1745528400912.jpg]()
Larkin taking the lead for good! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:12
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Kostas Sloukas with a crazy buzzer-beater! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c8e42709-1c33-48de-8b0d-e520b79f6d2b.jpg?crop=826%3A465%3Anowe%3A118%3A59]()
Oturu with a mighty dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:21
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/117e75dd-713a-475a-a750-11816a23f986.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A128%3A76]()
Oturu with the alley-oop! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/ce0b6b0d-6c6e-40c5-87f9-7b4a211dfd69.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A166%3A31]()
Jerian Grant shows big hustle! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/7073f6c2-ad4c-4a7d-863b-51aeffb839fc.jpg?crop=1275%3A717%3Anowe%3A0%3A33]()
Poirier with the put-back slam! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:08
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/cec6a741-9037-48e2-906f-315b14c7caf0.jpg?crop=1258%3A708%3Anowe%3A46%3A46]()
Poirier with a fierce small-dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:57
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/22/OG7vG6EyeGJFbm2kGVyhpjxVNValU5Xr-1745354407822.jpg]()
Juancho Hernangomez: 'We have a lot of talent, everybody can step up'
- 00:44
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/22/KjcSTkhf2aMMSVyvYCJXKBpHA8ISC45n-1745354439543.jpg]()
Jerian Grant: 'That's what championship teams do'
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/d9020bd2-42d4-4eaf-89e5-aaea0842cf2e.jpg]()
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | PO Game-1 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:24
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/22/n96YhWsSFpKfGjkKhsZuuCektsIoRy7I-1745354833470.jpg]()
Yurtseven at it again! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/beea360c-305d-4ba1-8a45-89e32aefcbd6.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A87%3A24]()
Grant seals the win! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5891d9a3-0bcf-4f64-ab11-47b2dc2e858a.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A115%3A30]()
Juancho flies to the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:16
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/bbf9f2a0-f2f9-4ed7-942c-5e4713479b38.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A134%3A34]()
Larkin and Dozier conjure some magic! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b34c15d6-1cd9-4a42-8f8b-d58c18a37979.jpg?crop=1238%3A697%3Anowe%3A56%3A57]()
Oturu with a strong dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/45829618-26f0-4e3f-9d81-44256e7d5a23.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A106%3A92]()
Poirier rips the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/156a71c3-c1c5-4945-b424-73a283cc80fa.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A29%3A41]()
Yurtseven on the alley-oop! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/6Z4LRqBLipY/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Kendrick NUNN Got MIC’D UP and SCORED BIG | AS Monaco - Panathinaikos
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/cy-lZO7EJYs/maxresdefault.jpg]()
The 7th Star - Trailer
- 00:52
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/11/vePQn7ZjWwzKlckpllUhKDYRLsHGRYqd-1744413709865.jpg]()
Kendrick Nunn: 'The one I'm most proud of is the 10 assists'
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/d2db2da2-5747-4a2c-85d5-6c3fce493ffc.jpg]()
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | RS Round 34 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:24
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/11/MXcx4LkFEnOKhPmsO0LXp0aXi26avpvx-1744410398344.jpg]()
Poirier with a big dunk! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 02:30
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/11/3D1fS9AhhfucshuEtg1t2CcfNC6p4lyR-1744402127807.jpg]()
Shane Larkin: 'We've had to win every single game to get here'
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/ba942191-98e0-4bac-a768-97dba111b91c.jpg]()
Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 34 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:16
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/be488eb7-2d92-4c1f-b820-64c286bde8d5.jpg?crop=1272%3A716%3Anowe%3A39%3A38]()
Nwora with a massive dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/5745c3ce-50b2-42e2-a95f-1d0feff48a07.jpeg?crop=1600%3A900%3Anowe%3A0%3A0]()
EuroLeague 25 Moments: When Panathinaikos took Virtus’s crown in 2002
- 00:52
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/05/i0HFkioIF819oZ650F0w0quDBsDi2rno-1743811398064.jpg]()
Vincent Poirier: 'Really proud of the team and what we've accomplished so far'
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/6183de28-f75a-4657-9218-b3ef7593c469.jpg]()
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 33 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/74e28ff0-dfaa-456c-9394-2979296d10f4.jpg?crop=1156%3A650%3Anowe%3A84%3A38]()
A sublime alley oop from Poirier! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/c45030af-08dc-4106-8d02-ce3f5a34ee69.jpg?crop=1172%3A659%3Anowe%3A103%3A62]()
A ferocious dunk from Thompson! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:41
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/04/03/PchRDipgrWw8Wm4qky502dJQhCdeRhKK-1743707912261.jpg]()
Kendrick Nunn: 'We came here with one job: to win'
![https://media-cdn.cortextech.io/4990cf7f-d53c-41a1-9be1-9ff5569e3f25.jpg]()
AS Monaco-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | RS Round 33 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/7528d58e-ee90-4218-bdc1-3a7c9743d6b4.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A93%3A97]()
Title hereGabriel attacks the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/848bf0eb-f634-416b-9d86-c9dab468d332.jpg]()
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Paris Basketball | RS Round 32 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d609197f-c83a-4032-ac31-e10863a4c457.jpg]()
Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | RS Round 32 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9b1372f7-1126-4a53-9824-2219ca5d179b.jpg?crop=1294%3A728%3Anowe%3A0%3A74]()
Thompson to Poirier alley-oop! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:24
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/03/26/EOyWLssBSx43QuUhIqlSgaiej6czqdBG-1743025381196.jpg]()
Juancho Hernangomez: 'Great teams keep fighting until the end'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/ef5799c3-50b4-4c70-b294-33bf62ebb034.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | RS Round 31 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:32
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/03/26/CKyFT0RrQ08EH0pL46rz5URc75xCt0N3-1743025105690.jpg]()
Shane Larkin breaking ankles! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:22
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/7528d58e-ee90-4218-bdc1-3a7c9743d6b4.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A68%3A100]()
Gabriel dominates on both ends! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:31
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/03/26/ncgaNO3XPDpfrCWGdJpVzKoaktciWAQr-1743019011423.jpg]()
Shane Larkin: 'To catch our rhythm at the right time is perfect'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/1b30c0c0-b546-4c20-a562-c140663c88f9.jpg]()
Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | RS Round 31 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e2e01d21-deb5-47f6-b9f7-bc119c8a2fe3.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A112%3A43]()
Nunn rejects Clark! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/1849ca30-8e30-4f6b-bf57-a39d5d49d680.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A61%3A81]()
Jordan Nwora denies his opponent! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/57539679-5394-420e-b104-0b7a93f5b449.jpg?crop=1282%3A722%3Anowe%3A44%3A73]()
Bryant sets up Poirier for an alley-oop! Motorola Magic Moment
Grant, who hit a clutch three in Game 1 which propelled Panathinaikos to an 87-83 win, carried on right where he left off as he made a pair of deep shots helping the Greens to an early 8-0 lead. Efes responded with a 1-10 run but Osman then hit top gear to rack up 11 points in the first quarter as the hosts romped away to 29-17 at the end of the opening period. Efes looked in trouble after Yurtseven hit a triple in the opening play of the second quarter to give the home team its biggest lead of the game but the visitors then ramped up their defense, slashing the deficit to 42-36 at halftime.
Panathinaikos still looked in cruise control in the third, with Efes going ice-cold from the floor as the Turkish outfit made its first field goal six minutes into the period, with the Greens leading 53-39 midway through. With Efes closing in to 55-50, the home faithful were in raptures at the end of the third as Kostas Sloukas hit an audacious three on the buzzer, giving Panathinaikos a substantial 60-50 advantage ahead of the final 10 minutes of the absorbing clash.
With Nunn subdued by airtight perimeter defense and aggressive half-court hustle from the visitors, Efes kept chipping at the home side as PJ Dozier caught fire and scored nine points in the fourth quarter to instigate the epic comeback completed by Larkin.
The livewire guard made it 73-73 with a breathtaking reverse layup before he buried a tough spot-up three with a defender in his face, giving Efes its first lead since early in the first quarter. Poirier then made one of two free throws as Efes edged ahead 73-77 before Nunn sank his only triple of the night to give Panathinaikos a glimmer of hope.
However, it was not to be as Larkin was ice cool from the foul line before Nunn missed heavily with a pair of tough shots from downtown in the home team’s final possession of an enthralling night in the Greek capital.
