Two years after making its first EuroLeague Final Four appearance, AS Monaco Basket is returning to European basketball's showpiece event, this time in Abu Dhabi.

Monaco heads to its second-ever Final Four

[AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) has become the third team to secure its place at the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, [joining Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-beko-heads-to-second-final-four-in-a-row/) and [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-bc-reaches-final-four-for-fourth-straight-year/).

Vassilis Spanoulis's side won its series 3-2 against FC Barcelona after winning Games 1, 2 and 5 at home, having lost Games 3 and 4 at Palau Blaugrana.

In the EuroLeague Semifinals, Monaco will take on Olympiacos in a repeat of their 2023 semifinal matchup.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">✅ 𝟑-𝟐 Series is over! <br><br>The Final Four ticket is ours ! 😤🎫<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/0natVvsKBR">pic.twitter.com/0natVvsKBR</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1919829986711613523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Monaco’s Final Four history

This is just the second time that Monaco has reached the Final Four, having previously done so in 2023 when it was hosted in Kaunas, Lithuania. Despite leading 29-41 against Olympiacos in the semifinals, a 27-2 third quarter saw the momentum completely swing as [the Greek side went on to reach the championship game](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2223-olympiacos-vs-monaco-semifinal-blog/). Monaco did respond, however, by [beating Barcelona in the third-place game](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/third-place-game-blog-as-monaco-vs-fc-barcelona/).

Despite being in just its fourth EuroLeague season, Monaco has made the playoffs in each of the last four years.

### How many EuroLeague titles have Monaco won?

None so far, but [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) and co. will be looking to change that in Abu Dhabi.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">✈️ Abu Dhabi, we&#39;re coming !! 🧭🇲🇨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DagheMunegu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DagheMunegu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/Sv2T3QUmXU">pic.twitter.com/Sv2T3QUmXU</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1919830825312370801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Which Monaco players have won the EuroLeague before?

[Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) is one of two Monaco players to have hoisted the EuroLeague trophy, doing so in 2011 with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens. The other is [Petr Cornelie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/petr-cornelie/004790/), who became a EuroLeague champion with Real Madrid in 2023. Coach Vassilis Spanoulis, of course, won three EuroLeague titles during his playing days.

### Who is heading to their first Final Four?

Seven Monaco players were on the roster that made it to the 2023 Final Four (James, [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/), [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/), [Matthew Strazel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-strazel/008099/), [Jaron Blossomgame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaron-blossomgame/011231/), [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/), [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/)), while [Terry Tarpey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/terry-tarpey/012515/), [Juhann Begarin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juhann-begarin/008161/), [Vitto Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vitto-brown/013365/), [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) and [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mam-jaiteh/002581/) will play at the Final Four for the first time. Coach Spanoulis, who went to five Final Fours as a player, is going to his first Final Four as a head coach.

Game News

In just its fourth season in the EuroLeague, the Monegasque side continues to impress

AS Monaco v FC Barcelona (2025-05-06T17:00:00.000Z)

The playoffs conclude on Tuesday, with four teams battling to join Olympiacos Piraeus and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul at the Final Four. Here’s what to expect from a thrilling pair of Game 5 showdowns.

Game Center: 2025 Playoffs Game 5

## Tuesday, May 6, 2025

### [AS Monaco 85-84 FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/as-monaco-fc-barcelona/E2024/325/)

Monaco sealed its place at the 2025 Final Four spot after defeating Barcelona 85-84 in a thrilling back-and-forth Game 5 on Tuesday evening at Salle Gaston Medecin. Mike James led all scorers with 20 points and Georgios Papagiannis netted 17 – 10 of which were scored in the final quarter. Alpha Diallo and Matthew Strazel bagged 11 each. For Barcelona, Kevin Punter scored a team-high 19 points, with Justin Anderson and Willy Hernangomez recording 16 apiece. Youssoupha Fall registered a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🇲🇨 𝙄𝙇𝙎 𝙇&#39;𝙊𝙉𝙏 𝙁𝘼𝙄𝙏 🥵🔥<br><br>❤️‍🔥 La <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> remporte ce game 5️⃣ bouillant face au Barça et se qualifie pour le Final Four ! 💥<br><br>‼️ DAGHEEEEEE 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DagheMunegu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DagheMunegu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/KBIG5TVg8q">pic.twitter.com/KBIG5TVg8q</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1919828526707999176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 75-67 Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2024/326/)

Reigning champion Panathinaikos advanced to the 2025 Final Four in Abu Dhabi after defeating Efes 75-67 to win their absorbing playoff series 3-2 and earn a shot at winning back-to-back titles. An effervescent Cedi Osman paced Panathinaikos on 28 points and 8 boards, putting his boyhood club Efes to the sword after an epic clash. Jerian Grant racked up 11 points and 8 rebounds and the regular season’s MVP Kendrick Nunn added 12 points for the hosts despite another poor shooting night. At the other end, Elijah Bryant netted 16 points and Shane Larkin chipped in with 12 for Efes, but both visiting guards struggled as they combined for 8 of 26 from the floor, with Panathinaikos prevailing in the battle of the boards 50-35.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Greens are going to Abu Dhabi! <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Paobcgr</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/ve5L0MkpuK">pic.twitter.com/ve5L0MkpuK</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1919859069206089761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Game Center, Game 5: Panathinaikos, Monaco reach the Final Four

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-05-06T18:45:00.000Z)

The two best words in European basketball: Game 5. Will we see a new normal, with road teams triumphing again, or a return to old ways?

Game 5: A new normal or a return to old ways?

The two best words in European basketball: Game 5. This Tuesday night it’s win or go home time, with the final two spots at the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four set to be confirmed.

In the early tipoff (19:00 CEST), there’s [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) against [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/). Then at 20:45 CEST, [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) faces [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/). The winner of each Game 5 will join [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) and [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) in Abu Dhabi.

Since the 2008-09 season the EuroLeague has adopted a best-of-five series format, with tonight’s two games being the 22nd and 23rd time that it has gone to five games. It had been one-way traffic in these games for years, however, with the home team going 18-0 in series deciders going into the 2023-24 campaign.

It looked like the pattern was set to continue in the 2024 playoffs, as Panathinaikos defeated Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 81-72 in Game 5 on May 7 to guarantee its place at the Final Four. But one night later, on May 8, everything flipped upside down.

Panathinaikos returns to 2024 Final Four after 12 years away

In a game that went right down to the wire, Fenerbahce escaped from Monaco with a 79-80 victory and in doing so became the first-ever road team to win a Game 5.

Then, a couple of hours later, Olympiacos repeated that same feat by triumphing 59-63 at Barcelona. After 19 straight wins for the home team, two victories in a row for the road club.

Ahead of tonight’s games, Monaco will be eager to learn from last year’s heartbreak against a Barcelona side that has played more Game 5s than anyone else in EuroLeague history (seven). 

But this is a situation Mike James and co. have got used to, having reached Game 5 in all four of the club’s playoff series to date. Barcelona is 4-3 in these situations, while Monaco is 1-2.

At OAKA, Panathinaikos fans will remember the celebrations that followed its Game 5 win over Maccabi last year and have high hopes about doing the same once again. Curiously, the two previous times it hosted a Game 5 came against Maccabi (2012, 2024), and both times it advanced. 

For Efes, its last two Game 5s in Greece did not go to plan as it twice fell to Olympiacos (2013, 2017). That said, the Turkish side is 2-2 all-time in Game 5s and won at home in the two most recent Game 5s it played – against Barcelona in 2019 and Real Madrid in 2021.

Tonight’s two games are going to be packed with high-quality action, heaps of emotion, and tons of drama. Will we see a new normal, with road teams triumphing again, or a return to old ways? We'll find out in a few hours' time.

Two final teams will book their tickets to Abu Dhabi tonight

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Game 5 of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

Playoffs pregame quotes: Game 5

## Tuesday, May 6

### AS Monaco vs. FC Barcelona (19:00 CEST)

**Vassilis Spanoulis, AS Monaco head coach**

"You have to be ready to win, be good at execution and play your game. In a Game 5, you have to fight and keep the faith. Anything can happen in basketball. The fact that we're playing at home, in front of our fans, is an advantage. It's up to us to do a good job, because something great could be waiting for us at the end."

**Mike James, AS Monaco guard**

"It's good to play Game 5 at home, in front of our fans. Anything's possible. Being at home, we feel more confident, more liberated. We'll have to be intense, especially on defense and on rebounds. This is the fourth year we've played a Game 5 and the third time in a row at home. We've been there, we just need to stay focused. We'd have preferred to win in three or four games, but here we are. We're lucky enough to do this job and play a great game. In Game 3, I was effective on offense but not on defense. I'm hoping to put together a very good Game 5 to lead my team, and to concentrate on defense first."

**Joan Penarroya, FC Barcelona head coach**

"We come into the game feeling good. We have the desire to play one of the games that we all wanted to play, a game that gives us the option of playing at the Final Four. We are convinced that the difficulty is very big but, at the same time, we also have all the options if we play the game that we have to play. Anything can happen but not playing on Sunday \[in the Spanish League\] has certainly gone well for us. We know that Monaco was better than us on their home court, took us out of our game and punished us a lot with their playing style, collapsing us, getting steals and even when they missed, rebounding well. These are situations in which I think we have improved a lot in Games 3 and 4, but we have to be prepared to take care of that because they are a team that when they play a lot, they put a lot of pressure on the ball have to be pressing the ball. Now, I want to have a good practice and play a good game. The team surely has had many moments in which it could have fell and has not done it. The team is eager to fight for everything, and is convinced that it can fight for everything and beat anybody if it does things well, and surely what I am most happy is this mentality that we have. We can be better or worse but the team knows that it can win beat anybody, and this is helping us to be more confident at this moment, before this game against Monaco."

**Willy Hernangomez, FC Barcelona center**

"I have never been to Abu Dhabi. It will be a good opportunity. I think we have to keep taking steps forward, as we have done during the series. I think we are waiting for a very tough game, a very physical game. If we do our job and play our game, we have many options. All that is left is one game and the team is very focused on doing things well. I think in the last two games, we are showing the level we can reach as a team. We still have steps to take, but I think we are very motivated and aware of the importance of tomorrow's game. Not only me, but the whole team knows the importance of tomorrow's game. For me, personally, it is a game that motivates me a lot. As I said in other interviews this week and last week, we have been working very hard all year for moments like this, important moments, in which the team needs the best version of each of us, and we need to do what is necessary to win on Tuesday."

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:45 CEST)

**Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos ATKOR Athens head coach**

"It will definitely be a difficult game because all the games in the series so far have been close. Anadolu Efes Istanbul has experienced players and is a fighter. We have to be calm, play aggressively on defense and play our game on offense, so that we can win. Nothing can cancel my memories and my respect for the Anadolu Efes Istanbul organization. I have friends who work there, family, the president. We’re always with the family. Sometimes fans do such things. But I think Panathinaikos fans know a lot more about basketball and respect people more. I hope that tomorrow our fans will support us, without offending anyone, because it has nothing to do with Anadolu Efes Istanbul as a team. I know that the Anadolu Efes Istanbul organization was very worried about what happened, but that’s life, these things happen sometimes. Now I’m not thinking about that, I’m thinking about Game 5, to play well and win."

**Wenyen Gabriel, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens center**

"We are expecting one of the biggest games of the season at OAKA tomorrow. It is, if I’m not mistaken, the seventh time we have played Anadolu Efes Istanbul \[this season\]. We know them and they know us. We have to enter the game aggressively from the beginning. We know that the crowd will be on our side tomorrow. They are a good team, we expected it. It is a dogfight, we expect that in the game tomorrow as well. It will be about who wants it the most and who is more aggressive. We have played many games on this court. We know how we have to be in terms of aggression and composure. In the end, the result will be visible."

**Luca Banchi, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach**

"We are at the last episode of an incredible series with the defending champion of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens. Every game was so tight, so intense, so emotional and that’s why we have to prepare ourselves technically and mentally to produce the best performance possible. I really wish that everybody will be healthy. We are actually suffering some injuries connected with a level of high intensity of these series, but I’m pretty sure that everybody will be ready to give his contribution to achieve an amazing result for our team and our fans."

**PJ Dozier, Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard**

"It will be a big fight."

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Game 5 of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs

Playoffs pregame quotes, Game 5: 'Anything can happen in basketball'

All the latest injury news surrounding all registered players ahead of Game 5 of the 2025 EuroLeague Playoffs.

EuroLeague Playoffs injury report: Game 5

Follow all the latest injury information for registered players in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, as reported by the clubs, and get your [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home?_ga=2.101462721.1199459303.1696273873-903329349.1669636775) teams up to date!

## Game 5: Tuesday, May 6

### AS Monaco vs. FC Barcelona (19:00 CEST)

#### Monaco

- **Monaco has not yet sent an injury report for Game 5**.
- Nick Calathes missed the first four games of the series.
- Georgios Papagiannis and Juhann Begharin did not dress in the first four games of the series, but both played in a French League game last Sunday.

#### Barcelona

- **Jan Vesely is questionable** while Nico Laprovittola, Chimezie Metu, Juan Nunez and Dame Sarr remain unavailable for Game 5, the club has confirmed.
- Jan Vesely, who returned to action in Games 1 and 2, missed Games 3 and 4.
- Nico Laprovittola, Juan Nunez and Chimezie Metu are all out long-term.
- Dame Sarr will not be part of Barcelona's roster for the remainder of this season, [the club has announced](https://x.com/FCBbasket/status/1912872378666807417).

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:45 CEST)

#### Panathinaikos

- **Panathinaikos has not yet sent an injury report for Game 5**.
- Ioannis Papapetrou, who was sidelined with an injury in Games 1 and 2, travelled with the team to Istanbul but did not feature in Games 3 or 4.
- [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/all-euroleague-center-mathias-lessort-leaves-game-with-leg-injury/) suffered a broken fibula in Round 17 and is still working his way back from injury.
- Marius Grigonis (lower back surgery) has not played since Round 4.

#### Efes

- **Rodrigue Beaubois is Efes's only absentee for Game 5**, the club has confirmed.
- Rodrigue Beaubois, who suffered an injury in Round 33, is [expected to be out for at least another two weeks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/rodrigue-beaubois-out-for-at-least-six-weeks-with-calf-tear/).

Stay up to date with the latest information provided by the EuroLeague clubs

Playoffs injury report, Game 5: Vesely questionable, Beaubois out

Ergin Ataman heads into Tuesday's Game 5 hoping that Panathinaikos BC, his new love, can defeat his former love, Anadolu Efes, and reach the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four.

Ataman at the center as his ex and his new love clash

In a league where the best head coaches can be as popular as the superstar players, no one stands out quite like [Ergin Ataman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/ataman-ergin/). The [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) boss is certainly a divisive figure. He can be loud and controversial. He is beloved by fans of his teams and sometimes even despised by the opposition. And he is also what every team wants from their coach: a winner.

Three of the last four EuroLeague championships have Ataman's name next to them. The first two came with [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) in 2021 and 2022. In the summer of 2023, he joined Panathinaikos and led the Greens to glory in their first season together.

On Tuesday, Ataman and Panathinaikos will host Efes for the fifth and final game of what's been a thrilling series and only one of them will earn the right to keep playing.

While the links between Ataman and Efes are well known, when the series began they were part of the backstory. That changed in Game 4.

### The Game 4 incident with Efes fans

Panathinaikos was clearly on its way to defeat late in Game 4. With 16 seconds left in the game, Ataman took offense when he heard the taunts of a small group of Efes. They were chanting a song that is usually associated with Efes's – and Ataman's – archrival [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/). Ataman reacted furiously, pointing and shouting toward the area in the stands where the singing was coming from before pointing again, this time towards the two championship banners in the rafters – the banners he helped bring to Efes.

Panathinaikos head caoch Ergin Ataman points towards Efes's two championship banners during Game 4.

He went on to shake the referees’ hands and proceeded to the locker room. He was not on the sidelines for the final seconds of the game, skipped the post-game television interview and did not attend the post-game press conference.

Assistant coach Christos Serelis, who represented Ataman at the press conference, said: "Coach Ataman doesn’t feel very well. He has a huge history with this club and big achievements and I think that he feels that some of the \[fans\], they don’t respect him a lot."

In the aftermath, players such as Panathinaikos forward [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/), who like Ataman has a past at Efes and has played under Ataman on the Turkish national team, and Efes forward [Derek Willis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/derek-willis/009664/) publicly sided with Ataman. They expressed that he did not deserve such treatment from fans who experienced so much joy in great part thanks to him.

But there is also no running away from the fact that emotions got the best of Ataman. It could be argued that no loss during his coaching career left him feeling as defeated as he felt at the end of Game 4, when he heard jeers from fans who not too long ago were singing his praises.

### The team Ataman did not want to play

To say that the charismatic Ataman has not had it easy the past two weeks is an understatement. On one side, his only goal is the success of Panathinaikos, which he guided to its [seventh EuroLeague crown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/watch-the-7th-star-for-free-on-euroleague-tv/) last season.

But on the other side is the club that he will forever be associated with and with which he won back-to-back EuroLeague championships.

EuroLeague Basketball Originals Documentary: Back 2 Back, Episode 1

The clash between Ataman's ex and his new love added spice to the series, but it was something the coach himself wanted no part of. Even before the playoff seeding were determined, Ataman said that Efes was the only team he did not want to see in the playoffs.

However, the basketball gods did not grant him his wish. And Ataman, who is often outspoken, before, during and after games, kept a relatively low profile, at least for his standards. Never one to shy away from big statements and guarantees, he has kept his tongue in check with thought-out statements that praised both teams and clubs.

Known for his occasional on-floor antics, where he is not afraid to put on a show and get into it with referees or with the opposing fans, Ataman has been unusually calm and collected.

Until the final minute of Game 4 on Friday night, that is, and him storming off to the locker room.

### Efes's historic journey from worst to first

To understand Ataman’s emotions, one must know his deep history with the club, and his personal rivalry with Fenerbahce.

One-third of his three decades on the sidelines has been spent with Efes. Ataman has been the head coach of the club on three different occasions. The first time, for two seasons at the turn of the century, during which in 2000 he made Efes the first ever Turkish team to play at the EuroLeague Final Four.

His second stint with the club was between 2008 and 2010. The third one made history.

Ataman was in charge of Efes from December 2017 through June 2023. He took over a team sitting in last place in the EuroLeague and a year later created a monumental turnaround, taking the team to the 2019 championship game. Ataman’s Efes was dominating the league in the 2019-20 campaign before the competition was abruptly halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the games returned, Ataman guided Efes to back-to-back EuroLeague championships and was named the EuroLeague Coach of the Year in 2021, too. He turned Efes from a club that so often underachieved or came up just short into a EuroLeague powerhouse.

Ergin Ataman (center) celebrates after Anadolu Efes Istanbul won its second EuroLeague title in a row in 2022.

Even before his historic third stint with Efes, Ataman was an accomplished coach. In the EuroLeague, he led Montepaschi Siena to the 2003 Final Four and made history in other pan-European competitions by winning the 2002 FIBA Saporta Cup with Siena, the 2012 FIBA EuroChallenge Cup with Besiktas Istanbul and the EuroCup with Galatasaray Istanbul in 2016.

During his time at Galatasaray, Ataman developed a rivalry with the fans of its archrival Fenerbahce. It continued when he was in charge of Efes, and even as he took over as the head coach of the Turkish national team.

It is an unfortunate animosity that lasts to this day.

### From hanging with friends to shouts from the stands

When Ataman left Efes in the summer of 2023 to take over Panathinaikos, it became clear over time that he maintained a great relationship with his former club. And, in the way only Ataman knows how to, he was never shy about voicing his opinions on the moves Efes made, despite being in charge of a rival EuroLeague side.

Among those, he critiqued the gesture of respect then-Efes coach Erdem Can made towards Zeljko Obradovic. Ataman then publicly approved the appointment of Tomislav Mijatovic as Efes's next head coaching hire.

Panathinaikos and Efes spent parts of their training camp together last summer, and Ataman was happy to post a photo of all enjoying a cup of coffee, with the caption “Waiting for you guys in 2024-25 EuroLeague final”. Mijatovic was in the meantime replaced by [Luca Banchi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/banchi-luca/?season=E2024), but still serves as the first assistant on the team.

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_h1RbfNh_n/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_h1RbfNh_n/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_h1RbfNh_n/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Ergin Ataman (@erginatamania)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

In another show of their great relationship, Efes was invited to the open-air tournament in Athens at Panathenaic Stadium last August.

The way Ataman treats his former club also showed through his guest appearance on the [Off The RECourt Podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzC_r19bAZs), hosted by Efes's star guards [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) and [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/). Ataman opened up about a number of topics there, which is rare to see between a coach and players from another team.

Fast-forward to the EuroLeague Playoffs, and Ataman’s approach did not change a bit.

“I have great respect for Efes,” Ataman said on the eve of this best-of-five series. “Many players are my players, and we made history in European basketball. But now we are on separate ends, and I will do everything on the court to send my team to the Final Four.”

A few days later, despite losing Game 2 at home and with tensions running high, Ataman tried to be a voice of calm, calling things “fair”, “balanced”, saying he was and looking forward to the continuation of the series.

Even ahead of Game 3, he referred to his opponents as “friends”, once again reiterating his feelings about the playoff opponent at hand.

### The flame has been lit on a Game 5 that promises fireworks

So, when Efes fans started taunting him at the end of Game 4, it was a little unexpected. And it obviously shocked Ataman, too.

What it also did was add more fuel to an already fiery series, with the outcomes of each game historically tight.

On one side is the defending champs, led by the reigning MVP [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) and four-time champion [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/), who both joined the Greens under Ataman.

On the other, it's the last team to win back-to-back championships, led by Larkin, a player who became a superstar under Ataman.

And in the middle of it all stands Ataman himself.

The series now goes back to Athens for Game 5, which was sold out in about four hours. Who knows? Years from now we might simply remember it as the ‘Ataman series’.

But regardless of how things play out on Tuesday night, or how we end up calling it, this series is certain to go down as one of the best we have ever witnessed. And Coach Ataman is a big reason why.

The Panathinaikos coach casts a large shadow as his team heads to Game 5 against his beloved Efes

Javier Gancedo gives his recommendations for the last day of the playoffs, with four teams aiming to secure the last two tickets to the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips, Game 5: Last call for Abu Dhabi!

There are only six games left in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, with four teams in do-or-die situations to make it to the Final Four. 

On Tuesday night, two Game 5s take place as AS Monaco faces FC Barcelona in the principality before Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens hosts Anadolu Efes Istanbul at OAKA. The winners will join Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Olympiacos Piraeus at the Final Four in Abu Dhabi. 

This week, I will recommend one player per team and someone to give you an extra boost in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, which continues until a team captain lifts the trophy at Etihad Arena.

Mike James, Cedi Osman, Shane Larkin, Kendrick Nunn and Jabari Parker are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Playoffs Game 5

### Kendrick Nunn, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (18.4 credits)

I am aware that Kendrick Nunn has not played at his best in the playoffs, averaging 16.5 points on 27.3% three-point shooting and a PIR of 13.0. It won't matter in Game 5, and like we say in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, "home Nunn is the best Nunn". He should be ready for a monster, MVP-like performance in Game 5.

### Shane Larkin, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (15.1 credits)

Shane Larkin has been fantastic in the series against Panathinaikos, averaging 15.8 points on 44.0% three-pointers, 5.5 assists and a PIR of 20.0 without going to the free-throw line too much (16 attempts in four games). Larkin has posted a PIR of 17 or higher in all four games in the series, and that consistency is crucial right now.

### Jabari Parker, FC Barcelona (12.3 credits)

If Barcelona makes it to the Final Four, [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/) will have to do a lot with it. In Game 4, Parker had 22 points and a PIR of 15. He also scored 16 points in both Games 2 and 3. Barcelona has a little bit of an advantage at power forward with Parker and Joel Parra, so it should look to exploit that. Expect Parker to lead his team once again in Game 5

### Mike James, AS Monaco (16.8 credits)

On a mission to make it to the Final Four, [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) has been playing really well lately. James has had 27 assists and just 8 turnovers in his team's series against Barcelona, while also averaging 15.8 points on 42.3% three-point shooting, good for a PIR average of 19.0. Everyone in Monaco knows that James will do whatever it takes to take the Roca Team to Abu Dhabi.

**Cedi Osman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (9.2 credits)**

It is a very special game for [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/), who grew up with Efes and is now trying to take his former team out of the Final Four race. Emotions have not had an impact on Osman's performances to this point, averaging 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and a PIR of 13.0, way above his regular-season numbers (7.9 ppg., 2.4 rpg., 6.8 PIR). All for less than 10.0 credits! 

More Fantasy Challenge News

Javier Gancedo gives his recommendations for the last day of the playoffs

With the series tied 2-2, Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Panathinaikos Athens B.C. will face each other in Game 5 in Athens on Tuesday and if the opening four chapters are anything to go by, another knife-edged encounter is on the cards

Moment of truth beckons for Panathinaikos and Efes

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoff series between reigning champion [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/?season=2024-25) and former holders [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/?season=2024-25) has offered everything basketball fans could ask for and the rivals will lock horns one more time in a decisive battle.

With the series tied 2-2, the two teams face each other in Game 5 in Athens on Tuesday and if the opening four chapters are anything to go by, another knife-edged encounter is on the cards. Each game went down to the wire and none was decided by more than four points, with [Efes coming out on top 85-82 in Game 4](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/efes-beats-panathinaikos-85-82-to-force-game-5-in-athens/) on Friday to force the tiebreaker at the imposing OAKA Altion, where Panathinaikos will have home-court advantage.

It could be a big factor as the matchup with Efes is almost a carbon copy of the Greek giant’s series against [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/tel/?season=2024-25) last season, when [Panathinaikos won Game 5 on home court, 81-72](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-celebrates-after-81-72-game-5-victory-over-maccabi/), before claiming its seventh EuroLeague title at the Final Four in Berlin.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓💥💥<br><br>All tickets were gone in 4 hours overnight! <br><br>Now we’re counting down to Tuesday! <br><br>Be louder than ever before! Make it legendary! 🔜☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToAbuDhabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToAbuDhabi</a> <a href="https://t.co/5QSCKd748P">pic.twitter.com/5QSCKd748P</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1918545565924704545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Just like in the current battle against the Turkish outfit, the Greens shared the spoils with Maccabi both at home and away, winning one and losing one at either venue before capitalizing on a fervent atmosphere the club’s fans create in their iconic gym.

It will be the same this time but Efes head coach Luca Banchi was confident that his team was braced for an epic clash after defying the odds to get this far in the first place, as his men made a late surge in the regular season to reach the playoffs.

Banchi also hailed the quality both teams have produced in the opening four games, with the walking wounded of Efes, [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) and [PJ Dozier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/perry-dozier-jr/012742/), going the extra mile to help their team grind out a lifeline win in Game 4.

“Another intense game between two teams who’ve already proved what level they are on,” Banchi told the postgame press conference.

“I wish for another great chapter in this playoff in Game 5, but now I just want to congratulate my players for saying calm in yet another do-or-die game. We got here by winning the last eight regular season games and fighting back from a 2-1 deficit in the series against Panathinaikos, which shows character and personality within the team.

“Both teams will invest every effort to win the decisive game after they recuperate. It will be about controlling the emotions and playing the best basketball possible more than about strategy and the best team will celebrate in the end,” added the Italian tactician, who took over at Efes in January and sent shockwaves through the EuroLeague when he propelled the club into the postseason after making a 2-5 start.

Game Videos

Panathinaikos will hope that its top performer and [regular-season MVP](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/202425-turkish-airlines-euroleague-mvp-kendrick-nunn-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/) [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) can find his mojo again when his team needs it most, after struggling in three of the opening four games amid the relentless hustle [the competition’s top scorer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/kendrick-nunn-is-the-2024-25-alphonso-ford-top-scorer-trophy-winner/) has faced.

Apart from Game 3, when Nunn excelled with 25 points, the former NBA guard was given a roasting by his markers in the other three. Nunn combined for 13-of-44 shooting from the floor (29.5%) and a mere 6-of-20 from deep (30.5%), his favorite hunting ground, in Games 1, 2 and 4. In Friday’s loss, he was also 1 of 8 from inside after being scoreless from the field in the first half as he only made 3 out of 4 free throws.

Nunn will want to replicate his Game 3 performance when he gave up excessive shooting from three-point range for drives to the basket which produced a barrage of layups, as he finished on 9-of-13 from inside and 7-of-7 from the foul line.

Some of his influential teammates have also blown hot and cold, namely [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) and [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) who took turns lifting Panathinaikos and then fizzing out in a series played at a torrid pace throughout.

Hernangomez produced a Game 1 masterclass when he racked up a career-high 20 points and 16 rebounds to help the Greens stage a fourth-quarter comeback for an 87-83 win, but was then reduced to a grand total of 4 points in the next two encounters.

The Spaniard bounced back with a solid display in Game 4, when he amassed 15 points and 7 boards, but playmakers [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/) and [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) netted just 3 points between them as Efes applied relentless half-court pressure.

The game also ended on a sour note for Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman, who walked out of the gym after an angry outburst at Efes fans who taunted him in the home stretch of a pulsating clash.

The Turkish tactician, who led Efes to successive EuroLeague titles in 2021 and 2022, gesticulated to the home faithful that he had covered the club in glory just a few years ago before he joined Panathinaikos last summer to engineer the Greek giant’s seventh title.

The controversy led to Ataman’s assistant Christos Serelis taking his boss’s place at the postgame press conference, where he elaborated why one of the competition’s most temperamental coaches did not turn up. 

“He has a huge history with this club and he feels that some of them don’t respect him much,” Serelis told reporters before sharing his views on the hitherto action as well as what he expected in the tiebreaker.

“We knew it was going to be a very tough game against a very good team. We tried to win it on our defense just like in Game 3 but unfortunately we conceded some baskets from our own playbook down the stretch.

“All four games were decided by one or two possessions, Efes made some big shots today so we are headed for one more game in Athens. We will be ready 100 percent to win it and reach the Final Four.”

The captivating playoff series is headed for a final showdown in Athens with a Final Four berth at stake 

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-05-02T17:30:00.000Z)

It is almost impossible to see a team lose so many players during the season and still compete until the end. FC Barcelona has been doing exactly that all season long, and head coach Joan Penarroya has learned how to enjoy the ride. 


Barca always finds the way to fight back 

On Friday night, [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/?season=2024-25) rallied for [a 79-72 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/efes-beats-panathinaikos-85-82-to-force-game-5-in-athens/) over [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/?season=2024-25) in Game 4 in front of a wild atmosphere at Palau Blaugrana to tie the best-of-five series and force a do-or-die showdown on Tuesday to make it to the Final Four.

"The series is over when a team reaches three wins, and that is what we will try to do in Monaco," head coach Joan Penarroya said.

Penarroya's reaction was somewhat reminiscent of what he said on April 11 after Barcelona [clinched a playoff berth](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-fights-off-virtus-91-87-clinches-playoff-berth/) in the regular-season finale with a win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna: ["For Barça, it is not enough to play in the playoffs, but it is a day to enjoy."](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/veterans-made-key-clutch-plays-for-barcelona-to-punch-playoff-ticket/)

Indeed, for a powerhouse like Barcelona, a two-time EuroLeague champ which is playing in the playoffs for the sixth time in a row and has reached the Final Four in three of the last four seasons, these games are not deemed historic. They are just a note in its thick history book.

And, in all honesty, so could end up being the two wins in this playoff series against Monaco.

However, this season in Barcelona has been unlike any other in recent history and injuries are the reasons why. Saying that it has been an injury-troubled season for FC Barcelona would be an understatement. Barcelona has lost players at every position, with season-ending injuries popping up left and right.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">Com t’estimem, Lapro ❤️❤️❤️ <a href="https://t.co/KZAXsztkAB">pic.twitter.com/KZAXsztkAB</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1856347346570797303?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Let's go back to the start of the season. Barça brought in Coach Penarroya along with star guard [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/), playmaker [Juan Nunez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juan-nunez/010106/), forwards [Chimezie Metu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chimezie-metu/013379/) and [Justin Anderson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/justin-anderson/012795/), and center [Youssoupha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/youssoupha-fall/006568/). Injuries hit Barça hard from the start of the season, as [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) went down in a Spanish League game against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz on October 20. He had taken part in just four EuroLeague games before suffering [ACL and meniscus injuries](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nico-laprovittola-to-undergo-knee-surgery/).

Barça bounced back by starting the season with a 5-1 record. That led to Punter being chosen as the [EuroLeague MVP for October](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fc-barcelona-kevin-punter-named-october-mvp/). Punter has been rock-solid all season, averaging 16.6 points on 94.2% free throw shooting and missing only a few games. Punter, however, got injured at the start of the Copa del Rey tournament, in which Barça did not get out of the quarterfinals.

It got worse: Barça signed playmaker [Raul Neto](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/raul-neto/013505/) to replace Laprovittola. He was hurt in his first EuroLeague game against Real Madrid. When he returned six games later, Neto was injured again, this time against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. He played a total of 426 seconds before his contract was terminated by mutual agreement. Barça chose [Thomas Heurtel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-heurtel/klt/) to replace him and start a second stint with the club. The club changed its mind in the very last moment, after Heurtel had landed at the airport.

Injuries kept coming one after the next. [Metu suffered a season-ending leg injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-loses-metu-to-achilles-tendon-rupture/) late in the regular season, in a home game against FC Bayern Munich. It was his second injury of the season, but this was a season-ending one. After playing in pain for several games, [Nunez had knee surgery](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-juan-nunez-done-for-season-after-knee-surgery/) and will miss the remainder of the season.

[Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) was also [sidelined for 10 regular season games with a knee injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-jan-vesely-out-8-10-weeks/). He had been injured and playing in pain since January. Vesely returned in time to face Monaco, but has played a total of 25 minutes in the series and missed Games 3 and 4.

All that forced Penarroya and his coaching staff to be creative and rely on his team's fighting spirit to keep winning games. Its main move was to deploy [Dario Brizuela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dario-brizuela/009992/) as a point guard for the first time in his career. Brizuela was able to adjust, showing a great basketball IQ and sharing the ball really well without losing one bit of his [scoring punch](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/stats-review-who-have-been-2025s-most-reliable-scorers/).

Barça seemed to be up and down all season, combining stellar performances with sub-par games. A final push, in which it won six of its last seven regular season games, allowed the team to take a fifth-place finish and set up a playoff showdown with Monaco.

Dario Brizuela had to play point guard for the first time in his career, becoming an even more dangerous player.

Brizuela: Barça's X-factor at point guard

Asked about the team's many injuries after beating Monaco to tie the series, Coach Penarroya offered a key: the team's competitive spirit is what keeps Barça going.

"You know what? In the last few weeks, when I enter the locker room and I see the guys, I no longer think about this. What I think about is that I will have five players on the court that will play to their limit. Because we are going to the limit. The team competes and has not looked for excuses throughout the year. We struggled a lot: it is repetitive, we have played bad games and had defeats that have hurt us, but the team has always competed, and it has never looked back. Being fifth in the EuroLeague regular season, in this EuroLeague, is very remarkable but I know this is not enough for Barça. For none of us, being here is enough.

"No team in the competition has had our problems. Everyone has problems because it is a fierce competition, a wild competition, but no team has even been close to having the problems we had throughout the year. What we want now is to go to Monaco, compete and win. We don't think it is enough to be here with the problems we had. We are a small bunch but we are going to war in order to win it. It can be slingshots against bombs, but we can win."

Down 0-2 in the series, Barcelona showed up to Game 3 in a do-or-die situation with just nine senior players. Three juniors - [Raul Villar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/raul-villar/012317/), [Sayon Keita](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sayon-keita/012885/) and [Mathieu Grujicic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathieu-grujicic/012103/) - were called up from the U18 squad. With four players out for the season and no signings to help in any way, Barça has found a way to win and right now, it feels stronger than ever despite its many troubles.

In Game 4, [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/) led the way with 22 points. Ironically, after being to hell and back when it comes to injuries over the last few years, Parker is fully healthy and one of only two Barça players, [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) being the other, to take part in all 38 EuroLeague games this season. With Vesely sidelined, [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) stepped up to average 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in his team's back-to-back, season-saving wins.

The next goal? To become the first-ever team in EuroLeague history to come back from a 0-2 start in a playoff series without the home-court advantage. Given what Barça has been through all season long, underestimating Coach Penarroya and his group of players would be a big mistake.

After winning Game 4 at home, Coach Penarroya's charges are one victory from the Final Four

As it has all season, Barça again found a way to fight back 

FC Barcelona v AS Monaco (2025-05-02T18:45:00.000Z)