After being chosen as the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP for February, Kendrick Nunn of Panathinaikos BC sat down for an exclusive interview with Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net to discuss a number of topics.

Kendrick Nunn, February MVP interview: 'It reminds me of Michael Jordan-type vibes'

After being chosen as the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP for February, [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) of [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) sat down for an exclusive interview with Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net to discuss a number of topics.

Nunn talked about the tight MVP race this season, thoughts on fellow EuroLeague star [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/), the possibility of a one-on-one showdown against [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), the unconditional love he gets from Panathinaikos fans, and much more.

Don't miss this exclusive interview with Nunn as the 2024-25 EuroLeague regular season gets closer and closer to a thrilling finish!

The Panathinaikos guard sat down with Euroleague.net’s Javier Gancedo for an exclusive interview

Pregame quotes hub: 'Victory would be a big step forward'

## Friday, March 7, 2025

### Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (18:30 CET)

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

"The game against Virtus Segafredo Bologna will represent a tough obstacle for us because of their qualities. They will be in Istanbul in their best version after they recover two very important players like Tornike Shengelia and Ante Zizic, how they proved in a last important home win against the EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the Italian League. We are preparing seriously for a game which hides many dangers. And that's why I really hope that we are capable to approach with proper consistency and aggressiveness."

**Derek Willis, Anadolu Efes Istanbul forward**

"Virtus Segafredo Bologna game will be a great challenge for us. As a team we will need to focus on defending them in transition and work for the best opportunities on offense. They will be prepared to fight and we must bring the right attitude if we intend to win and want to make play-in."

**Dusko Ivanovic, Virtus Segafredo Bologna head coach**

"I hope that tomorrow's match can help us improve and give minutes to those players who normally do not play as much. However, as in every game, our target always remains to try to win."

**Ante Zizic, Virtus Segafredo Bologna center**

"We will approach the match knowing that we will be facing a talented team that wants to play for the postseason until the end. We will have to play our basketball, trying to improve, regardless of the opponent."

### LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (20:00 CET)

**Oded Kattash, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv head coach**

"It's going to be another tough game in the EuroLeague. We're playing against a good team that plays with a clear system. They have their way to play with two dominant scorers. We need to control them, we need to box out, and put special attention as a team on \[Nando\] De Colo and \[Theo\] Maledon."

**Will Rayman, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv forward**

"I kind of said this a couple of weeks ago, but every game is going to have its own identity. They're aggressive, they're having a better season this year than last year, and they have some really good players. We're going to prepare the same way we've prepared for all the other games: we're going to play super hard, be aggressive, and we're obviously going for the win."

### Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (20:15 CET)

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach**

"Partizan is a very good team. They are first in steals in the EuroLeague. They put a lot of their hands on the ball and they protect their rim. In general, they play aggressive defense. So, we must do right everything that we did wrong in the last five minutes of the game in the first round. Of course, in that game, we missed Sasha Vezenkov and Evan Fournier was present, but he was sick. It was a special situation. We must play up-tempo, pass the ball more and execute better. Over all, we must play really well against an opponent who fights to make it to the playoffs."

**Kostas Papanikolaou, Olympiacos Piraeus forward**

"Partizan puts a lot of pressure on their opponents. They like to take you out of your comfort zone. That’s why we must have clear minds in order to make the right decisions. Of course, we must play hard on defense. That will be the key."

**Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade head coach**

"Olympiacos is a team in exceptional form, currently dominating the EuroLeague. They sit at the top of the standings and have a fantastic roster, but what makes them truly strong is their ability to play as a cohesive unit. They move the ball well, execute different defensive schemes, and always know exactly what they’re doing on the court. We have to fight and give everything we’ve got. It’s going to be a tough and demanding game, but we’re going in with the desire to play at our best."

**Aleksej Pokusevski, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade forward**

"This is a very important game for us, just like every game ahead. They're a strong team with plenty of offensive options. We need to come in with high energy, execute what we've been working on in the past few days, and do our best to win. Every game matters, but against a team like this, a victory would be a big step forward and a major mental boost for us."

### ALBA Berlin vs. FC Barcelona (20:30 CET)

**Chimezie Metu, FC Barcelona center**

"It is a very important game. The standings are very close, one win could possibly move us up two or three places, so I think it's very important. And they are a good team, but they are last place in the league, so I think it is a game that we can't afford to lose at all. I think we have a good chance to make the playoffs still without having to go to the play-in. I think the last 6-7 games, all of them are favorable for us to win. We just have to go in and be focused. And I think the way the season has gone as far as injuries and everything, I think it's coming to a time where our luck is bound to change at some point. We are going to start getting guys back soon, and I think if you look at the entire season, when we have had our whole team, I think we have been very tough to beat. Like I just said, there are still chances for us to make the playoffs and I think we have kind of bounced back from a bad start. We just have to lock in for these last few weeks and win as many games as possible."

## Wednesday, March 5, 2025

### Paris Basketball vs. AS Monaco

\--

## Thursday, March 6, 2025

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)

**Gordon Herbert, FC Bayern Munich head coach**

"Crvena Zvezda plays very aggressively and physically, and they are also overall very tall. We have to match their physicality and intensity appropriately and take good care of the ball offensively. We have to cope with the fact that we are not at full strength, and we have already managed that very well when Lucic and Giffey were out for a long time."

**Vladimir Lucic, FC Bayern Munich forward**

"They have a very deep roster with a lot of experience, as well as players and a coach who have already won at the highest level. This year, they are particularly motivated to make it back to the playoffs after some time. They are having a pretty good season and have already won the Serbian Cup. They will have strong support from their fans again in Munich, and I am looking forward to the atmosphere."

**Ioannis Sfairopoulos, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade head coach**

"We are playing against a very good team, which is offensively oriented with players who score points easily. We have to be focused and ready to play defense. If they find any opportunity, they can destroy any team. They have only two losses this season at home. We have to fight and play good defense, which we need, as well as play smart in attack. This is a very important game for us and we have to be ready for a tough fight."

**Ognjen Dobric, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade forward**

"The ambitions are always the highest, to play for the win and to play a good game. We had a good match against them in the first part of the season, it wasn't easy, we won, nothing is easy in the Euroleague. I expect a tough and demanding game there. I hope we will be focused for the whole 40 minutes to do the job as best we can and try to get the win."

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20:30 CET)

**Ettore Messina, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan head coach**

"We are facing a team of the highest level and enormous depth. We will have to attack the physicality that they bring at the defensive end of the floor by moving the ball quickly and executing the correct spacing, as well as being ready when it will be necessary to make some adjustments. Defensively, we know their potential, so we are aware that we will need to show great sacrifice and focus."

**Fabien Causeur, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan guard**

"For us, being consistent will be the most important aspect of a tough game against the second-placed team in the EuroLeague, team which is coming off a big road win in Paris. We need to avoid the ups and downs that sometimes are an issue for us, and stay solid for 40 minutes in general, but especially on defense and rebounding."

**Stefano Tonut, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan guard**

"The goal is to repeat last week's game with Monaco against a very strong and motivated opponent like Fenerbahce, with its talented players such as Wade Baldwin and Marko Guduric at my position. Now, given the standings, every game is a Game 5, and must be interpreted as such, especially playing at home in front of the crowd who will be our sixth man."

**Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach**

"Milan is playing very good basketball since they went to the small lineup. It is extremely difficult to guard them, extremely difficult to play against five players who can open up, and can shoot three-pointers. I think this is probably one of the biggest keys to guard the three-point line, especially with four, five great shooters that they have. But probably the game will be decided with the easy points, fast break points and rebounding, fouls after bonus. There is a huge job in front of us."

**Marko Guduric, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul guard**

"It’s a second game of the double-week for us. It is obviously a very important game. We want to win, especially because they beat us badly in Istanbul. So, we just have to try to get prepared as best as we can. For this game, defense will be the key to get the win."

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:30 CET)

\--

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Real Madrid (20:45 CET)

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

"Real Madrid has one of the best rosters in the EuroLeague. And even though it is not in the best position in the standings, it is one of the candidates for the EuroLeague title. Always, in the big games they play different than in other games. So, it will be a tough game for us, it is very important to protect our home court and not to lose this game at home. Real Madrid has many high-potential players, Campazzo, Hezonja, Musa, Tavares…it will be a tough game. These players, with such career, with such potential, here against 20,000 people against a team which beat them in the final last season, they will give their best. We also have a very good roster. We won our last nine games \[in all competitions\], and we have to be ready to fight. This is not an exhibition game. Throughout the history, Panathinaikos and Real Madrid was always a big game, and this is also a big game that we need to win."

**Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach**

"We will have to play a good game to win in Athens. It has been a long time since we played against them earlier this season. At some point in that game we managed to lead by 22 points and ended up winning by 4, but what matters the most in this season's momentum and how we feel right here, right now. Panathinaikos is ahead of us in the standings but they know we also dangerous and know how to play against them. I wish we play a good game in Athens, in a difficult court \[OAKA Altion\] in which only two teams won so far in this EuroLeague season. We know we have to do things well in there if we want to have the chance to get the win."

**Walter Tavares, Real Madrid center**

"We face the game with a lot of motivation, knowing that this month is key for us. Panathinaikos is going to be a very demanding opponent, playing against them is always difficult and for that reason, we need to play together in each play, in every season. It is obvious that in order to win at OAKA, we must really stay together as a team. Defense is our strongest point, an aspect of the game that gives us confidence on offense. Above all, we have to think that each game is like a final and play with a lot of ambition, a lot of energy and without relaxing for even a second."

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 28 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Paris Basketball v AS Monaco (2025-03-05T19:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Real Madrid (2025-03-06T19:45:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Zalgiris Kaunas (2025-03-06T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2025-03-06T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2025-03-06T19:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-03-07T17:30:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2025-03-07T19:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2025-03-07T19:15:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v FC Barcelona (2025-03-07T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich took a big step towards securing a postseason berth in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after a comprehensive 100-82 home drubbing of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, garnished by 30 points from livewire guard Carsen Edwards.

Carsen Edwards shined as Bayern hit top gear against Zvezda 

[FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/roster/mun/?season=2024-25) took a big step towards securing a postseason berth in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after a comprehensive [100-82 home drubbing](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bayern-blows-away-crvena-zvezda-100-82-to-stay-in-postseason-picture/) of [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/roster/red/?season=2024-25), garnished by 30 points from livewire guard [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/).

It wasn’t a promising start for Edwards, who turns 27 next week, as he picked up a monster block from Zvezda’s big man [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) early on, but Bayern’s offensive driving force responded to the challenge superbly and led the German side to victory.

Edwards shot 10 of 17 from the floor and 4 of 5 from the foul line in a blistering individual display, which personified a flawless team effort. Bayern made 19 of 37 shots from downtown and dished out 23 assists, taking Zvezda to the cleaners after the visitors had raced off into an early 0-9 lead. 

Carsen Edwards scored 30 against Zvezda

“We just had to come out and try to be at our best as they’re still a great team and we knew they were going to come back at us because they’ve got guys who can score,” Edwards said in his postgame comments. “I was able to get some open shots today and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy because they’re such a good defensive team, but we moved the ball really well.”

Bayern pulled away to 64-37 on the back of a 25-0 run before Zvezda fought back in the closing stages to slash the deficit to 93-82, but it was too little too late against a rampant home team, which closed out the game with a decisive 7-0 run.

Game Videos

The home team’s veteran captain [Vladimir Lucic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vladimir-lucic/001288/), a former [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-nis-belgrade/roster/par/?season=2024-25) stalwart, endured taunts from Zvezda’s raucous fans throughout the contest and silenced the visiting crowd with a vintage performance that yielded 18 points and 7 boards.

“We were a bit nervous at the start of the game but the good thing is that we found a way to play at both ends while still missing three guys in the rotation,” said Lucic. “It’s a big win and from here onwards it’s one game at a time, the next one is the most important.”

Game News

Coach Gordon Herbert hailed his team’s majestic response to a slow start, as Bayern fired on all cylinders after falling behind in the opening exchanges.  

“Our second and third quarter were outstanding,” Herbert said. “We knew they were going to come back at us in the fourth, but the guys persevered, and I give them a lot of credit.

“If you take away the first 3 or 4 minutes of the game, I thought we played a really good first half and then we made a great start to the third quarter. Our defensive approach got better and we moved the basketball to good effect.”

In Round 29 next week, Bayern is at home to [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/roster/ist/?season=2024-25) while Zvezda entertains [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/roster/mil/?season=2024-25) in a battle of two wounded teams looking for lifeline wins.

The dynamic guard poured in a game-high 30 points to lead his team to an emphatic home win

Carsen Edwards starred as Bayern hit top gear against Zvezda 

One day after turning 49 years old, Saras Jasikevicius saw his Fenerbahçe Beko side win its second game on the road in the space of a few days to cap a perfect EuroLeague week.

Coach Jasikevicius celebrated his birthday by completing perfect week on the road

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) completed a perfect double-round week on the road by [thrashing EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 76-100](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-crushes-milan-76-100/) on Thursday night. For coach [Saras Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/jasikevicius-saras/?season=E2024), he couldn’t have asked his players for a better birthday present. 

The team’s week kicked off with [a statement victory against top-four spot aspirant Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-overcomes-paris-83-87-to-strengthen-grip-on-second-place/) on Monday, and Thursday's triumph in Milan means Fenerbahce is just one win behind league leader [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/), which plays [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) on Friday.

“I hope \[we made Jasikevicius happy\],” [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), who scored 15, told EuroLeague TV. “It’s hard to make him happy sometimes.”

The Italian side defeated Fenerbahce 85-91 back in November, but this time Jasikevicius’s players were in the mood to put on a show. Having outscored Milan in each of the four quarters, the guests established a double-digit lead in the second and maintained it until the final whistle, recording a 76-100 triumph to take some revenge.

“I think we set the tone,” noted [Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/), who poured in a game-high 18 points. “We were physical, we were aggressive and we wanted to bring that sense of urgency. I think that the Paris game was a good tune up for this to get us ready to play with that aggressiveness and it was a playoff atmosphere. I hope we can continue like this.”

Just a day earlier, Coach Jasikevicius celebrated his 49th birthday, but further plans have been made before Fenerbahce’s return to Türkiye.

“You’ll always going to celebrate your birthday with your loved ones, your closest friends, your staff,” Coach Jasikevicius told EuroLeague TV after the game. “Obviously, I’ve got the win and now I’ve got to go out and have some good food in Milan. Never has a problem with food in this city.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Maç sonu bizimkiler! 💛💙<br><br>Takımımızı Paris’ten sonra Milano’da da yalnız bırakmayan Büyük Fenerbahçe Taraftarına teşekkürlerimizle! 🙏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZYZNHSQdpS">pic.twitter.com/ZYZNHSQdpS</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1897763458340331807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Fenerbahce’s defense kept a strong Milan offense to just 76 points, while 11 of the 12 visiting players who stepped onto the floor netted at least 4 points each. In fact, Fenerbahce recorded unreal shooting percentages, going 28 for 39 (71.8%) from inside the arc and 11-for-22 (91.7%) from deep.

Meanwhile, four of Fenerbahce’s last six regular-season games will take place at Ulker Sports And Event Hall, providing Coach Saras’s side with a huge advantage in their bid to clinch a top-four spot. 

For the time being, though, the Lithuanian head coach deserves a break to enjoy some Italian cuisine with a big smile on his face following two big road victories.

The Lithuanian head coach couldn’t have asked for a better present by his players

Jerian Grant earned the glory as Panathinaikos powered on

There was much to admire in [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2024-25)’s performance as the reigning champion sent a message with [a convincing 85-70 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-blasts-past-real-85-70/) over [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2024-25) in Thursday’s edition of the Rivalry Series.

But according to head coach Ergin Ataman and more than a few of the sell-out 20,000 fans who created another electric atmosphere in Athens, one factor was more deserving of praise than anything else: [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/).

The all-action guard did everything for his team, coming close to a double-double as he registered 11 points and 9 assists with only 1 turnover, also adding 3 rebounds and 2 steals in more than 33 minutes on the floor, compiling a game-high PIR of 21.

Jerian Grant gets the glory as Panathinaikos powered past Real Madrid

Ataman was eager to praise the 32-year-old as he enthused: “First of all, I’d like to congratulate Jerian Grant. In Panathinaikos, everybody is always talking about [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), Sloukas, [Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/)… But always Jerian Grant is great in that kind of game. Tonight also he was MVP of the game, so I’d like to congratulate him for his hustle, his game.”

There were no complaints in that assessment from Nunn, who led the scoring with 18 points but was happy to pile the praise on his backcourt teammate, highlighting Grant’s abilities that don’t necessarily show up on the stats sheet.

“The way he plays defense for us, it takes us to a whole 'nother level,” stated Nunn. “And then he can play one on one when it gets late in the shot clock. Jerian can do it all.”

Jerian certainly did it all on Thursday, playing a central role in a convincing win. Indeed, Panathinaikos trailed only once: after the opening basket of the night, netted by [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/). From that moment onwards, it was one-way traffic with the Greens dominating all over the floor and Real scrambling just to keep it vaguely close.

After racing into a double-digit lead with an 8-0 run towards the end of the first quarter, Panathinaikos was ahead the rest of the way. Even Real’s occasional runs weren’t enough to really make the home team nervous, with the deficit never lower than 4 points – which was immediately pushed back up to 7 thanks to a three-point play by Grant.

The eventual 15-point margin was not at all flattering to Panathinaikos, which has now won nine consecutive games in Athens and is starting to look like a strong favorite to seal a top-four finish.

Ataman was delighted with the performance, saying: “As a team we played perfect basketball. We made great defense, offensively we moved the ball well and everything was fantastic because of course, Real Madrid is a great capacity team, but we didn’t let them play their basketball, so it was a very good night for us.”

Man of the hour Grant did most of his talking on the court, restricting his post-game observations to a few short lines. But his satisfaction was evident as he concluded: “It was great. Coach talked about needing to win these home games. The fans really came through, they helped us push through and we got the win.”

And he won’t be concerned if his step into the limelight is short-lived, explaining that he gives more importance to the views of his locker room than the outside world as he said: “My teammates know what I bring to the team, and it really makes me happy that they know that I can help.”

‘Help’ is a major understatement. Thursday night again showed that Grant is one of Panathinaikos’s most important players, and that he will be a central figure in the Greens’ push for consecutive titles.

The versatile guard was hailed for his all-around performance against Real Madrid

Baskonia knew what it was getting in Donta Hall – a EuroLeague-proven center who causes all sorts of matchup problems – and he has certainly lived up to the billing, as he showed again in Round 28.

Donta Hall led from the front as Baskonia beat Zalgiris

[Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/) knew what it was getting in [Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donta-hall/011196/) – a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague-proven center who causes all sorts of matchup problems – and he has certainly lived up to the billing.

After three seasons with [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/), the Baskonia big man is having his best EuroLeague campaign yet in 2024-25, with [Thursday night’s 66-65 victory over Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/baskonia-grinds-out-win-over-zalgiris-66-65/) providing a reminder of just how dominant he can be when he’s on the floor.

Less than two minutes into the second quarter, Hall already found himself on 3 blocks, while he had 6 points and 5 rebounds at halftime. Whether it was the ever-enthusiastic [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/) or the wily veteran [Bryant Dunston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bryant-dunston/003048/) looking to frustrate him, he was finding ways to have a notable impact on the contest. 

Hall netted another 5 points in the third period, a quarter in which Baskonia scored just 10 points as a team, as his squad held off a comeback attempt from the visitors. Importantly, he was a perfect 5 for 5 from the line – the first time he has been 100% from the line when shooting 5 or more free throws in his 142-game career.

“We came out slacking a little bit in the second half, but other than that, I feel like our energy and stuff, we maintained the rest of the game,” Hall told EuroLeague TV after the game.

But Hall wasn’t too pleased with Baskonia having to go through another nail-biting finish, even if they did come out on top.

“I’m telling you, I’m tired of it, honestly,” he said. “But hey, we finished this one now, all we can do is look forward.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">La actuación del MVP, Donta Hall, en la victoria de hoy 🔝🔝<br><br>📊 Sus números <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/GebpzndxUV">pic.twitter.com/GebpzndxUV</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1897768940123611620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Baskonia will certainly be doing just that as it improved to a 12-16 record, one win behind Zalgiris. Thursday’s victory was Baskonia’s second over Zalgiris this season, giving it the head-to-head advantage in any tiebreaker situation, and [Pablo Laso](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/laso-pablo/?season=E2024)’s group are now just two wins back of FC Barcelona in 10th, the final play-in spot.

There are six games remaining in the regular season and each victory is priceless at this stage, so Baskonia will be hoping for more of the same from Hall and co. as they enter the home straight.

The 27-year-old center enjoyed another impressive performance in Round 28

FC Bayern Munich improved to 17-11 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and stayed firmly on course to reach the postseason after bouncing back from a sluggish start to steamroll Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 100-82 at SAP Arena

Bayern blows away Crvena Zvezda, 100-82, to stay in postseason picture

FC Bayern Munich improved to 17-11 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and stayed firmly on course to reach the postseason after bouncing back from a sluggish start to steamroll Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 100-82 at SAP Arena.

Carsen Edwards paced Bayern with a game-high 30 points, while veteran Vladimir Lucic racked up 18 and 7 boards. Shabazz Napier netted 16 points and Johannes Voigtmann amassed 11 to go with 9 boards for a rampant home side, which sank 19 of 37 shots from downtown.

Bayern also tied the biggest run in EuroLeague history after conjuring a 25-0 streak late in the second quarter and early in the third, effectively sealing the matchup after stretching its lead from 39-37 to 64-37.

The run equaled that of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne at Valencia Basket last season, when the French side went on to win the game by a landslide margin.

Tireless big man Joel Bolomboy was a lone beacon of light for Zvezda as he racked up 12 points to go with a staggering 19 boards. Isaiah Canaan posted 15 points and Codi Miller-McIntyre added 11, but the Serbian team’s porous defense conceded an avalanche of three-pointers in what turned out to be a lopsided contest.

Zvezda, which dropped to 16-12 after a second successive loss, mad a perfect start as the visitors raced into a 0-9 lead with Miller-McIntyre scoring all of his team’s points in that interval. Bayern responded superbly and nosed ahead 20-18 late in the first quarter before Zvezda turned the tide for the last time to lead 25-29 early in the second.

With the game still in the balance midway through the second quarter as Bayern led 39-37, the home team vanquished Zvezda with a whirlwind 25-0 run that silenced a raucous visiting crowd comprising Serbian expats in Munich as well as fans who made the trip from Belgrade.

Three-pointers were raining in from all over as Bayern overwhelmed Zvezda with ironclad defense and quick transition, resulting in a barrage of open shots.

The advantage soared to 76-48 late in the third before Zvezda finally showed some pride and slashed the deficit to 93-82 late in the game, but Bayern finished with a 7-0 run, which capped a memorable win and sent the home fans into raptures.

The German side shot the lights out from deep to brush aside its Serbian rival after a slow start 

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz gave its play-in hopes a major boost by defeating Zalgiris Kaunas 66-65 in a hard-fought clash at Buesa Arena. Pablo Laso’s men improved to a 12-16 record but remain in 14th, while 13th-placed Zalgiris dropped to a 13-15 mark.

Baskonia grinds out win over Zalgiris, 66-65

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz gave its play-in hopes a major boost by defeating Zalgiris Kaunas 66-65 in a hard-fought clash at Buesa Arena. Pablo Laso’s men improved to a 12-16 record but remain in 14th, while 13th-placed Zalgiris dropped to a 13-15 mark. By doing the double over Zalgiris, Baskonia holds the head-to-head advantage in any tiebreaker situation that may arise.

Donta Hall was Baskonia’s star performer with 11 points and 8 rebounds, as well as 3 blocks, while Markus Howard and Chima Moneke both chipped in with 13 points apiece. Zalgiris’s Ignas Brazdeikis netted 17 points and Alen Smailagic added 11 points.

Baskonia outscored Zalgiris in each of the first two quarters, taking a 38-30 lead into halftime, and that eight-point advantage proved crucial as the visitors held the hosts to 28 second-half points. Still, Zalgiris’s hopes of a comeback win were spurned when Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot moved to 7 points by scoring a turnaround mid-range jump shot with 21 seconds to go to put Baskonia back ahead at 66-65.

Baskonia started hot and opened a 7-2 lead thanks to baskets by Moneke, Khalifa Diop and Tadas Sedekerskis, but Zalgiris soon tied it up after Smailagic’s offensive rebound and score made it 7-7. A Laurynas Birutis finish handed Zalgiris its first lead at 10-11, yet a strong finish to the period, capped by a block and a layup by Hall, ensured it was 18-12 after 10 minutes.

Sylvain Francisco, who didn’t make a field goal in the first quarter, netted from mid-range to start the second, then Brazdeikis kept his impressive start going by scoring five points in quick succession as Zalgiris cut Baskonia’s lead to two points at 23-21. Birutis and Bryant Dunston tied it at 23-23 and 25-25, but a couple of threes by Trent Forrest gave Baskonia breathing room at 33-28. Another triple, this time by Nikos Rogkavopoulos, to end the half gave Baskonia a 38-30 advantage at the break.

Zalgiris came into this game as the best-ranked defense in the EuroLeague and it showed why in the early stages of the third, going on a 6-1 run inside the opening four minutes to reduce the margin to three points, 39-36. Luwawu-Cabarrot and Hall combined to put Baskonia 44-38 ahead, but back-to-back scores by Isaiah Wong, making his Zalgiris and EuroLeague debut, made it 44-43. However, a put-back layup by Moneke and a couple of free throws by Hall gave Baskonia a 48-43 lead entering the fourth.

The game looked like it was going to get away from Zalgiris when Markus Howard, who had gone 0 for 4 from deep through the first three quarters, drained two three-pointers in a row to put Baskonia in control at 56-47. Zalgiris responded, though, as Dovydas Giedraitis scored a layup, Alen Smailagic converted a three-point play and Francisco made a deep three to make it 57-55. Luka Samanic hit back, but another three, this time from Smailagic, made it a one-point ballgame at 59-58. Zalgiris ended up taking the lead at 61-62 for just the second time on the night thanks to Brazdeikis’s offensive board and stick-back, but Howard’s three off the glass at the end of the shot clock calmed down any nerves at 64-62. Smailagic split free throws and then scored a layup to put Zalgiris 64-65 ahead, but Luwawu-Cabarrot’s turnaround jumper from mid-range ended up being the final score with 21 seconds remaining.

The Spanish side is now just one win behind the Lithuanian outfit in the EuroLeague standings

Reigning champion Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens enjoyed another triumph over last season’s beaten finalist Real Madrid, taking a comfortable 85-70 victory in Athens

Panathinaikos blasts past Real, 85-70

Reigning champion Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens enjoyed another triumph over last season’s beaten finalist Real Madrid, taking a comfortable 85-70 victory in Athens. The Greens improved to 18-10 to strengthen their top four position, while Real dropped to 14-14.

The Greens dominated early to take a double-digit lead in the first quarter, and stayed ahead the rest of the way despite Real’s attempts to hang in the game. Kendrick Nunn led the scoring with 18 points, while Jerian Grant combined 11 points with 9 assists, Kostas Sloukas had 10 points and 7 assists, Dinos Mitoglou scored 15 with 9 rebounds, and Juancho Hernangomez added 12. Real was led by Mario Hezonja with 18 points and Walter Tavares with 16, with Dzanan Musa scoring 12 and Sergio Llull adding 10.

Neither team scored in the first 2 minutes, before Hezonja’s layup opened the scoring. Wenyen Gabriel got the hosts on the scoreboard and Hernangomez netted the game’s first triple. Hezonja stayed hot with two more scores, but Hernangomez’s reverse layup and Nunn’s spectacular slam made it 11-6. Hernangomez again struck from deep before inside scores from Tavares and Alberto Abalde were bettered by Nunn at the rim and Cedi Osman from deep for a 19-11 lead. Nunn added a triple and a buzzer-beating jumper, making it 24-13 after 10 minutes.

Hezonja continued to pace Real with the opening bucket of the second quarter, but Mitoglou responded with a three and a layup for a 29-17 lead. Tavares scored twice, but Nunn hit another deep strike before Musa, Tavares and Hugo Gonzalez pulled Real closer, 33-27. Llull and Sloukas traded two-pointers, and Lorenzo Brown kept Panathinaikos moving with another three-pointer. Musa and Bruno Fernando were on target for Real and it was 40-33 at halftime.

Grant’s three-pointer opened the second half, before two scores from Gabriel made it a 15-point margin. Hezonja finally struck Real’s first three-pointer of the night and soon completed a 0-8 run with an alleyoop slam, pulling it back to 48-42. The visitors kept pushing through Facundo Campazzo’s floater, but Grant’s three-point play rescued the Greens. Hezonja and Nunn exchanged thrilling slams before Sloukas and Mitoglou restored a double-digit lead, but Llull’s trademark three-pointer made it 63-53 with 10 minutes left.

Layups from Musa and Fernando pulled Real closer, but free throws settled Panathinaikos and Mitoglou’s three-pointer made it 68-59 with 6 minutes to play. Sloukas added a fastbreak layup for another double-digit advantage, but another Tavares dunk kept Real hoping. Nunn scored twice either side of Llull’s triple and Grant’s three made it 79-68 with 2 minutes left. Mitoglou’s layup removed any lingering doubt as the Greens cruised home with Hernangomez’s three-point play.

A rematch of last season’s championship game saw the home team dominate from start to finish