Anadolu Efes got its first home win of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season by beating Olympiacos BC 91-89 in Round 4.

Efes overcomes early deficit to overcome Olympiacos, 91-89

Anadolu Efes Istanbul overturned a 15-point deficit to down Olympiacos Piraeus, 91-89, despite only leading for two minutes all night. Both teams now have a 2-2 record.

Olympiacos raced into an early double-digit lead through 10 first-quarter points from Sasha Vezenkov, but Efes fought back as Shane Larkin scored 14 in the second quarter and it was 41-44 at the break. Evan Fournier took over the third quarter with 13 points, but Efes kept fighting and controlled the final stages to prevail. Larkin led the way with 24 points, while Darius Thompson added 13 and Elijah Bryant scored all his 11 points in the second half. Fournier paced Olympiacos with 20 points, Shaquielle McKissic scored 17 and Vezenkov added 16.

Fournier netted five points in the first two minutes, then Moustapha Fall’s three-point play and Vezenkov’s floater gave Olympiacos a 3-10 lead. Vezenkov scored in transition to complete a 0-7 run, which was ended by Vincent Poirier at the rim. Tyler Dorsey’s jumper and two more buckets for Fall established a double-digit lead, 5-18, before Rolands Smits’ three-point play briefly boosted Efes. Vezenkov stayed hot with another inside score before Filip Petrusev’s lay-up-and-one was answered by a Smits triple, making it 11-23 after 10 minutes.

Larkin stepped up with 10 points early in the second quarter, including two triples, but Dorsey’s deep strike and four points from McKissic restored a double-digit lead, 21-32. The inspired Larkin scored again and Erkan Yilmaz added five straight points as Efes fought back, but Alec Peters from mid-range and Dorsey from deep reasserted the Reds. Thompson scored five fast points to make it 35-38, and a big dunk from Moses Wright was answered by Thompson’s triple before Dorsey beat the buzzer with a long two for a 41-44 halftime score.

Game News

Thompson and Ercan Osmani brought Efes within one point early in the third, before Fournier and Vincent Poirier exchanged inside scores as it stayed close. Fall’s three-point play was followed by a pair of triples apiece for Fournier, Larkin and Bryant, tying it up at 59-59. Vezenkov and McKissic both hit triples, then Rodrigue Beaubois’s jumper was answered by Fournier’s triple at the end of third-quarter buzzer, making it 65-70.

Wright started the fourth quarter with a three-point play, but Thompson hit his third triple to give Efes hope. Jordan Nwora and Beaubois kept the home team moving, but Wright battled to the basket to make it 74-79 with six minutes left. Poirier’s alley-oop slam was bettered by McKissic’s triple, then Larkin’s tough jumper and Nwora’s transition layup made it 82-82. Bryant’s three-pointer gave Efes its first lead of the night, but free throws from Fournier and Fall made it 85-86 with two minutes to play. Larkin netted again and after a series of offensive miscues Bryant’s floater sealed a dramatic win.

The Turkish side recorded its first home win of the season

Efes overcomes early deficit to down Olympiacos, 91-89

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-10-18T17:30:00.000Z)

The action in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague continues to come thick and fast as the double round concludes with Round 4 on Thursday and Friday. 

Game Center: Round 4 is upon us!

## Friday, October 18

### [AS Monaco 101-85 Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monaco-makes-light-work-of-virtus-101-85/)

Monaco breezed to a 101-85 home victory over Virtus in Round 4 of the EuroLeague season, improving its record to 3-1 after high-scoring guard Mike James finally served up a vintage performance with 19 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Elie Okobo paced the home team with a game-high 20 points, Mam Jaiteh chipped in with 15 and 7 boards while Vitto Brown amassed 14 points and 4 rebounds. Matthew Strazel netted 12 points and Jordan Loyd added 11 to underline a flowing team effort from Monaco, which found another gear in the second half after trailing 46-47 at the interval. At the other end, Toko Shengelia stood out for Virtus with 17 points, Momo Diouf scored 12 while Matt Morgan and Isaia Cordinier netted 11 each for the visitors, who remain rooted to the bottom of the standings after suffering a fourth successive defeat.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">✅️ Victoire à la maison pour la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a>, avec une deuxième mi-temps XXL ! 💪🔥<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/SpVspWxNgI">pic.twitter.com/SpVspWxNgI</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1847352781910528417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Anadolu Efes Istanbul 91-89 Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/efes-overcomes-early-deficit-to-overcome-olympiacos-91-89/)

Efes overturned a 15-point deficit to down Olympiacos, 91-89, despite only leading for two minutes all night. Both teams now have a 2-2 record. Olympiacos raced into an early double-digit lead through 10 first-quarter points from Sasha Vezenkov, but Efes fought back as Shane Larkin scored 14 in the second quarter and it was 41-44 at the break. Evan Fournier took over the third quarter with 13 points, but Efes kept fighting and controlled the final stages to prevail. Larkin led the way with 24 points, while Darius Thompson added 13 and Elijah Bryant scored all his 11 points in the second half. Fournier paced Olympiacos with 20 points, Shaquielle McKissic scored 17 and Vezenkov added 16.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">👊 Olympiacos karşısında parkeden galibiyetle ayrılıyoruz!<br>Anadolu Efes 91 - 89 Olympiacos | Maç Sonucu<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PembeTopSahada?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PembeTopSahada</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/hoyJgSD5FH">pic.twitter.com/hoyJgSD5FH</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1847357616487641486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 93-96 FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/punter-barcelona-edge-crvena-zvezda-94-98-in-ot-classic/)

In the first overtime game of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season, Barcelona pulled out a 94-98 victory of the previously undefeated Crvena Zvezda inside a packed Belgrade Arena on Friday. Both teams now share a league-best 3-1 record after the first double-round week of the season, as there are no more unbeaten teams heading into Round 5. The two teams traded leads throughout the entire four quarter. Zvezda did go up 65-56 late in the third, only for Barcelona to answer with a 1-11 run bridging the third and fourth quarter and going back in front. Zvezda entered the final minute up 82-81, but Kevin Punter, the game's top scorer, hit a three-pointer with 10.4 seconds to go in the fourth, then Yago Dos Santos drove for a layup on the other end to send the game to overtime. In the extra session, Barcelona hit four three-pointers, including two more from Punter, and the one-time All-EuroLeague guard also sealed the deal by stealing the ball five seconds before the end.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐄̀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐀 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐀. QUINA VICTÒRIA 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/njJyt39F5d">pic.twitter.com/njJyt39F5d</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1847375845570334785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 76-69 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/asvel-reels-off-17-0-fourth-quarter-run-to-rally-past-baskonia-76-69/)

Theo Maledon had a night for the ages as he guided ASVEL to a thrilling 76-69 comeback victory at home over Baskonia in Round 4 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. ASVEL improved to 2-2 on the young season, the same record for Baskonia, which was limited to just eight healthy players after having beaten Real Madrid earlier in the week.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">ON VA LA CHERCHER CETTE WIN ! 🔥🔥🔥<br><br>Nos Villeurbannais s’arrachent dans les dernières minutes pour retourner le match et emporter une victoire importante pour la première à la <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLC_Arena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LDLC_Arena</a> !! <br><br>Qu’est-ce qu’elle fait du bien celle-là ! <a href="https://t.co/is59W6JmBW">pic.twitter.com/is59W6JmBW</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1847378804693750090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

## Thursday, October 17

### [ALBA Berlin 71-78 Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-rebounds-with-71-78-road-win-over-alba/)

Fenerbahce bounced back from its disappointing Round 3 home loss to Crvena Zvezda by defeating ALBA 71-78 on the road on Thursday night. After scoring just 57 points against Crvena Zvezda, Fenerbahce drained 10-of-13 three-pointers in the first half and ended up improving to a 3-1 record.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Berlin’den galibiyetle dönüyoruz! 💪<br><br>Tebrikler Fenerbahçe Beko! 👏<br><br>Maç Sonucu | Alba Berlin 🆚 Fenerbahçe Beko: 71-78<br><br>Skor dağılımımız: Hayes-Davis 14, Baldwin 13, Biberovic 12, Melli 12, Marjanovic 8, Pierre 6, Zagars 5, Sertaç 3, Hall 2, Colson 2, Birch 1. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/5N3m3ZXo6L">pic.twitter.com/5N3m3ZXo6L</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1846999775578832949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 79-91 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/partizan-powers-past-maccabi-79-91/)

Partizan felt comfortable at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall on Thursday night, beating Maccabi 79-91 at the Israeli team's temporary home on Thursday night. Sterling Brown netted almost half of his team’s points in the fourth quarter, a period in which Partizan outscored Maccabi 15-25 to clinch its second straight victory and first on the road. Following Partizan's win, both teams now boast a 2-2 record.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">POBEDA!⚫️⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/YnVesMGQBI">pic.twitter.com/YnVesMGQBI</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1847007486030876915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 82-85 Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-stages-huge-comeback-to-edge-milan-on-the-road-82-85/)

Zalgiris staged a magnificent fightback for an 82-85 road win at Milan in a EuroLeague Round 4 blockbuster, completing a perfect double-round week in Italy after beating Virtus 68-71 on Tuesday. The Lithuanian side rallied from 64-37 down midway through the third quarter to produce the second-biggest comeback in the competition history. Dovydas Giedraitis netted a game-high 21 points for the visitors, followed by Sylvain Francisco, who racked up 17 points and 6 assists with a superb individual performance.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After an intense game, double week in Italy ends successfully. 🤯🔥 <br><br>(Presented by: Go3). <a href="https://t.co/XJVh3H4Yq5">pic.twitter.com/XJVh3H4Yq5</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1847016845317992746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Real Madrid 90-86 Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-downs-panathinaikos-90-86-in-championship-game-rematch/)

Real Madrid exacted revenge by overcoming Panathinaikos, 90-86, in a hard-fought repeat of last season’s championship game. Both teams now have a 2-2 record, with the reigning champs losing twice this week. Chus Mateo’s Real took a double-digit lead in less than four minutes, but Panathinaikos gradually battled back and it was 43-38 at halftime. *Los Blancos* pulled away again after the break, and held on in the final minutes. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">🏁 FP: <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> 90 - 86 <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Paobcgr</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> <a href="https://t.co/7TQOCLy8kr">pic.twitter.com/7TQOCLy8kr</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1847015008208933357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [FC Bayern Munich 109-107 Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bayern-survives-in-high-scoring-thriller-against-paris-109-107/)

Bayern returned to winning ways in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by edging Paris 108-107 at SAP Garden in Round 4 on Thursday night. Gordie Herbert's squad improved to 2-2 in the standings and remains undefeated at the brand-new SAP Garden, while Tiago Splitter's Paris dropped to 1-3.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a spectacle at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAPGarden?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAPGarden</a> 🤯 with the better end for us! 🎉 And above all – what a performance by Carsen (32 pts) 🔥, Bazz (27 pts) 💪, and Devin (21 pts) 👏!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAYPBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAYPBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1847022903096652218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There were three road winners on Thursday, but how many will we have after Friday's action?

Game Center: Barcelona wins in OT; three home triumphs elsewhere

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-10-18T18:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v FC Barcelona (2024-10-18T18:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-10-18T17:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-10-17T18:45:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Paris Basketball (2024-10-17T18:45:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-10-17T18:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2024-10-17T18:05:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-10-17T17:30:00.000Z)

There is a reason why the Greek derby is known right around the world. Whenever Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus face off, not only does Greece come to a halt but basketball fans across the globe cancel their plans and tune in. Find out why by watching 'Rivalries: Greece', the third episode from Euroleague Basketball Originals’ latest documentary series, which is now out on EuroLeague TV.

 Witness the passion of the Greek derby in 'Rivalries: Greece'

There is a reason why the Greek derby is known right around the world. Whenever [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2024-25) and [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/) face off, not only does Greece come to a halt but basketball fans across the globe cancel their plans and tune in. Find out why by watching '[Rivalries: Greece](https://www.euroleague.tv/video/704287)', the third episode from Euroleague Basketball Originals’ latest documentary series, which is [now out on EuroLeague TV](https://www.euroleague.tv/video/704287).

Legendary figures from Greek derbies new and old offer their insights during the documentary, ranging from former Panathinaikos player and Olympiacos coach Panagiotis Giannakis and to the likes of Dominique Wilkins, [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/), [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), [Georgios Bartzokas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/bartzokas-georgios/?season=E2024), [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/), and many more.

Basketball makes up most of the episode, but viewers will also get a flavor of what makes Athens and Piraeus so special, particularly when it comes to food. Some local spots are recommended by the players and coaches in the documentary, with Giannakis and Dimitris Itoudis even enjoying a meal at one particular restaurant.

The Greek derby went up a level with the arrival of [Ergin Ataman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/ataman-ergin/?season=E2024) at Panathinaikos, and then again when Sloukas moved across town by leaving Olympiacos for the Greens. In '[Rivalries: Greece](https://www.euroleague.tv/video/704287)', witness how a new chapter in this rivalry between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos has been opened, with both clubs fighting for Turkish Airlines EuroLeague glory.

Watch 'Rivalries: Greece' for free on YouTube

The 'Rivalries' documentary series

The third episode of Euroleague Basketball Originals’ latest documentary series is now available

Fenerbahçe Beko has announced the signing of Skylar Mays, who will cover the loss of Scottie Wilbekin after he tore his ACL in Round 1 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Fenerbahçe brings Skylar Mays aboard

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul has announced the signing of Skylar Mays on a deal through the end of the 2024-25 season.

With Fenerbahce's [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) likely [out for the season with a torn ACL](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-confirms-the-worst-scottie-wilbekin-has-torn-his-acl/), which occurred in the team's Round 1 win against Olympiacos Piraeus, Mays offers Coach Saras Jasikevicius another option in the backcourt. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Skylar Mays Fenerbahçe Beko’da! ✍️💛💙<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/BKc4hcF1d8">https://t.co/BKc4hcF1d8</a> <a href="https://t.co/2Mn4SQCUic">pic.twitter.com/2Mn4SQCUic</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1847194101441073602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Mays's arrival at Fenerbahce represents his first experience in Europe with the 27-year-old having played 114 games in the NBA over the last four seasons.

In the 2023-24 campaign, Mays split time between the Portland TrailBlazers and Los Angeles Lakers. As a Blazer, he averaged 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 17.0 minutes per night across 21 appearances, while he featured in 17 games as a Laker, posting 1.3 points in 4:30 minutes per contest.

For his NBA career, Mays has averaged 4.3 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in just over 10:30 minutes on the floor in 105 regular-season games. He has appeared in nine playoff games, too, averaging 1.1 points in just under three minutes per night.

Following four years at Louisiana State University between 2016 and 2020, he played for the Atlanta Hawks (2020-22), Portland (2022-24) and the Lakers (2023-24), as well as the College Park Skyhawks (2021-22), Delaware Blue Coats (2022-23), Mexico City Capitanes (2022-23) and South Bay Lakers (2023-24) in the G League.

More Fenerbahce News

The guard will cover the absence of Scottie Wilbekin, who is expected to miss the rest of the 2024-25 season

Fenerbahce brings Skylar Mays aboard

Real Madrid forward Alberto Abalde was one of the star performers in his team's win against Panathinaikos BC, which came after a difficult few years for him on a personal level.

Alberto Abalde back in the bigtime with decisive contribution

The rematch of last season’s championship game [between deposed champion Real Madrid and new titleholder Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-downs-panathinaikos-90-86-in-championship-game-rematch/) was always going to provide a compelling storyline, and in the end a key protagonist was a man who did not even play in Berlin last May.

Real forward [Alberto Abalde](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alberto-abalde/003733/) has suffered a tough few years with injury problems. After joining *Los Blancos* from Valencia Basket as one of Spanish basketball’s brightest young talents in 2020, Abalde initially showed signs of fulfilling his promise as he made 39 EuroLeague appearances in his first season, starting 23 of those.

His numbers in that 2020-21 campaign were more than solid: he averaged 7.2 points on 43.5% three-point shooting, along with 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists for a PIR of 8.3 in more than 19 minutes on the floor – not bad at all for a young player in his first season in the pressure-cooker environment of Real Madrid.

But the following campaign started with Abalde missing the Spanish Super Cup through injury, which proved to be the first in a long line of physical issues that seriously set back the forward’s progress. His contribution across all areas gradually dipped, and by the time of May’s Final Four he had become little more than an occasionally used role player.

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Abalde played in only one of Real’s three-game playoff series with Baskonia, had just 11 seconds on the floor in the semifinal against Olympiacos, and was the only member of the 12-man roster not to play at all in the title decider against Panathinaikos.

His latest setback came in the summer when Abalde was forced to miss the Paris Olympics through another injury and he was clearly still searching for his best form at the start of the new campaign – averaging just 3.0 points during the opening three EuroLeague games.

But he retained the trust of coach Chus Mateo to start in Thursday’s crunch clash with the Greens and quickly repaid that confidence – and boosted his own – by draining a three-pointer to complete an 8-0 start for his team.

Abalde returned to make his biggest contribution during a key phase in the middle of the third quarter, as a pair of triples book-ended a personal run of 10 points in 4 minutes, helping turn a tight 50-48 scoreline into a game-high 66-49 margin, which set Real on its way to take the victory.

Alberto Abalde drained 3 three-pointers as Real Madrid beat Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in Round 4 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Abalde's 3 triples vs. Panathinaikos

He finished with 13 points – the first time he had mustered double digits in the EuroLeague since December 2022, in a game far better remembered for [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) making a miraculous four-point play near the final buzzer to give AS Monaco a dramatic road win.

But more than his scoring, Abalde’s most telling statistic on Thursday came in the plus/minus column, where his stellar defensive work was reflected in his tally of +19 – the joint-best in the game alongside another unsung hero, [Eli Ndiaye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/eli-ndiaye/009213/).

And his coach was very appreciative, as Mateo noted in the post-game press conference: “I cannot be here without mentioning a player who defended the way Abalde did. He gave us huge energy. There was a moment when the substitution had already been asked for but he hit a three-pointer so we let him keep on fighting and fighting. He’s a warrior and he’s always there.”

Unfortunately, injuries have meant that in the last few years Abalde has not, in fact, always been there. But he showed on Thursday night that if he can stay fit, he is a force to be reckoned with.

The Spaniard had an impressive performance in Real Madrid's 90-86 win over Panathinaikos

Shabazz Napier and Carsen Edwards provided the fireworks from beyond the arc as FC Bayern Basketball defeated Paris Basketball in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.


Edwards, Napier made it rain against Paris at SAP Garden 

It's fair to say that the fans inside SAP Garden were treated on Thursday night as [FC Bayern Munich edged Paris Basketball 109-107](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bayern-survives-in-high-scoring-thriller-against-paris-109-107/) in Round 4. Two of Bayern's star men on the night, [Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/) and [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/), provided the fireworks from beyond the arc. 

Edwards finished the game with 32 points, matching the club-record tally – and personal-best mark – he set last season. That came in a 91-84 victory over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on December 5, 2023. In fact, only one other Bayern player has scored 30 points or more in a EuroLeague game: [Dusko Savanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dusko-savanovic/KOD/) had 31 in a 95-89 victory over PGE Turow Zgorzelec on December 11, 2014.

"I was able to make some shots. There are so many things that I could have done better, could have finished around the rim a lot better, but I am just happy we got the win and figure out ways to get better," Edwards told EuroLeague TV after the game. 

"I am just thankful for the win. Every game is an opportunity for us to see how we can get better, so we will use it to this game, watch it, review it and find ways to get better."

Napier added 27 points, one shy of his career high. Previously, he had 28 points for Milan in an 84-88 road victory over Valencia Basket on March 7, 2023. Napier also shared the ball well on Thursday night, finishing the game with 5 assists and just one turnover while amassing a PIR of 29, a new personal best.

Napier and Edwards each buried 6 three-pointers, which is not something that is regularly seen on a EuroLeague court. Indeed, it is just the sixth time in competition history that two teammates have buried six three-pointers or more. 

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul did it twice last season; [Tyler Dorsey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyler-dorsey/009849/) buried 8 and [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) hit 6 in a 118-88 home win against Valencia on March 14, 2024, then Wilbekin and Dorsey nailed 6 triples apiece in Game 4 of the playoffs against AS Monaco, which Fenerbahce lost 93-88. 

The only time that two teammates hit 7 three-pointers in a game came on December 22, 2005. Anadolu Efes Istanbul pair [Marko Popovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-popovic/atp/) and [Henry Domercant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/henry-domercant/JIS/) each buried 7 shots from downtown to beat Milan 85-57.

Shabazz Napier and Carsen Edwards each buried six three-pointers, which is not easily seen on a EuroLeague court. Indeed, it is just the sixth time in competition history that two teammates buried six three-pointers or more.

Edwards, Napier hit six three-pointers apiece

[Andreas Obst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/andreas-obst/004508/) (twice) and [D.J. Seeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dennis-seeley/004862/) share Bayern's single-game record for made three-pointers, having experienced the feeling of knocking down 7 in a game.

Bayern also set a new club record for its two-point shooting percentage in a game. The hosts hit 76.7% of its shots inside the arc, making 23 of 30. Its previous record was 73.0%, 27 of 37, against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv last season. Bayern was also near-perfect from the free-throw line, hitting 21 of 22 attempts. [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/007201/) missed that one attempt with 0.1 seconds remaining.

Napier thanked the fans for their supports and believes turning SAP Garden into a fortress is the first step to build something special.

"It was exciting, it was a back-and-forth game, that's the way the play. We just tried our best to limit them as much as we can but they have some great players over there. I think we did a great job," Napier said. "We have a great crowd here. It was a packed arena, there were moments when we needed them and they came through for us. I think that's one of the big things about having this big arena, having this sixth man effect. We needed that push towards the end."

The two guards caught fire and helped Bayern grab its second win of the young season

Zalgiris Kaunas came from 27 points down to beat Olimpia Milano on the road on Thursday night, just two days after beating another Italian team, Virtus Bologna.

Resilient Zalgiris clawed out victory from the jaws of defeat 

Zalgiris Kaunas completed a memorable week in Italy with [a stunning 82-85 comeback win at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-stages-huge-comeback-to-edge-milan-on-the-road-82-85/) after edging Virtus Segafredo Bologna 68-71 on Tuesday, improving its Turkish Airlines EuroLeague record to 3-1.

So delicious was the taste of double victory that a couple of joyous Zalgiris fans, part of a massive contingent who made the trip to Italy, held a cardboard banner reading “Yesterday Bolognese, today Milanese” in a sweet taunt of the home Milan faithful.

For three quarters, it looked like Milan would hand Zalgiris a heavy defeat as the hosts led 64-37 midway through the third, before an inexplicable meltdown turned the pulsating contest on its head.

Having regained its composure ahead of the fourth quarter, Zalgiris needed no second invitation to start firing on all cylinders on offense in the home straight, while Milan looked bereft of ideas as the visitors kept trapping the home team’s guards with intense half-court pressure.

[Dovydas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dovydas-giedraitis/007513/) paced Zalgiris with a game-high 21 points, but it was [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) who won the player of the game accolade on the back of 17 points and 6 assists, having dished out one telling pass after another as Zalgiris roared back to claim victory.

It was the second-biggest comeback in the competition’s history and the 27-year-old guard, who joined Zalgiris from Bayern Munich during the off-season, said not losing their heads was the key to the visiting team’s monumental accomplishment in Milan.

“I was patient in going to the paint and splitting their defense, so I am glad we made shots and played tough defense in the end,” a visibly exhausted Francisco said in a post-game courtside interview.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Historic night for Zalgiris in Milan. Biggest comeback in club’s history and second-biggest in the EuroLeague. 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/FUSZkkdMpa">pic.twitter.com/FUSZkkdMpa</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1847031139187183853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Head coach Andrea Trinchieri was delighted he got one over his Italian compatriot Ettore Messina, whose Milan team dropped to 1-3 after suffering the fourth-quarter collapse.

“A crazy game with a crazy ending,” said Trinchieri. “We were horrible for three quarters and I just kept trying to find the five players who would function together. We didn’t do enough to compete for three quarters and then something happened.”

“We clicked and played with tons of energy. I believe in my players and this is their reward, a double win on the road. I didn’t like the body language in the first half, but we have this thing called resilience.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT A COMEBACK. 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/18rn1HXRnh">pic.twitter.com/18rn1HXRnh</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1847021695472697575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Messina was barely able to hold in his anguish after the game, having seen his team throw away a massive lead on home court. “We played two different games tonight,” he stated. “The last 15 minutes were obviously horrible and they deserved their comeback.”

Long-range shooting was the key as Zalgiris drained 12 of 26 from deep while Milan made only 5 of 21, with the home side also finishing the game on 9 turnovers after committing none in the first quarter and just 2 by halftime.

Galvanized by its success, Zalgiris will relish returning home and facing Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Round 5, while Milan will be desperate to make amends when it entertains Anadolu Efes Istanbul. 

The Lithuanian side looked out for the count against Milan and then forced the home team into submission 

KK Partizan had five players score in double figures during its win at Maccabi Tel Aviv BC in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season, while the team's defense was also impressive.

Partizan leaned on team effort to down Maccabi

Not one, not two but five Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade players hit double digits in scoring to end the double-round week in style by leading the Serbian side to [a 79-91 victory at Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/partizan-powers-past-maccabi-79-91/) in Round 4 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. Coaches insist that solid defense provides players with the necessary confidence to thrive on the other end, and that’s precisely what happened to Partizan at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall.

The two teams exchanged as many as 23 leads in the first three quarters, but Partizan’s team effort on both ends clinched them the victory in the fourth, with the visitors outscoring Maccabi 15-25 in an almost perfect quarter.

[Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sterling-brown/012720/) netted 12 of those 25 points, ending the contest with a game-high 20 points. [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) did a great job opening the floor, going 4 for 5 from beyond the arc en route to 14 points. Meanwhile, [Frank Ntilikina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/frank-ntilikina/006591/) pulled off an extremely mature performance, making 5-of-6 field goals to finish the game on 12 points. As for the other two players who recorded double digits in scoring, [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/) and [Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) netted 11 points each and recorded 5 and 6 assists, respectively.

“That was a great team win,” Brown told EuroLeague TV after the game. “Both ends of the floor, we came out in the second half and got it done. The coach got on us at halftime and we came out and we responded, especially on the defensive end.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Borim se svaki dan za njega!🖤🤍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/sZtZKsBe01">pic.twitter.com/sZtZKsBe01</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1847011825000632459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Partizan head coach Zeljko Obradovic had every reason not to be happy with his team’s defense in the first 20 minutes. The guests gave up 46 points and allowed Maccabi to grab as many as 14 offensive rebounds – more than the Partizan’s 13 total rebounds in the first half. 

Yet, his team stepped up its defense after the break, producing 3 blocks and 3 steals in the last quarter to seal the victory. Maccabi struggled to get open looks, with its opponents’ deflections and stops allowing the visitors to build their confidence.

“It was a EuroLeague game,” Obradovic said in his post-game interview for EuroLeague TV. “Very tough, very close game, everything being decided in the last minutes.”

This was Partizan’s third EuroLeague game in a row where five or more players scored at least 10 points each, showing the team’s diverse options on offense. The Serbian side is set to host Virtus Segafredo Bologna next week, when team effort on both ends could once again be the key to a potential third straight victory.

Five of the visiting team's players scored in double digits

Zalgiris Kaunas staged a magnificent fightback for an 82-85 road win at Olimpia Milano in a EuroLeague Round 4 blockbuster, completing a perfect double-round week in Italy after beating Virtus Bologna 68-71 on Tuesday.

Zalgiris stages huge comeback to edge Milan on the road, 82-85

Zalgiris Kaunas staged a magnificent fightback for an 82-85 road win at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 4 blockbuster, completing a perfect double-round week in Italy after beating Virtus Segafredo Bologna 68-71 on Tuesday.

The Lithuanian side rallied from 64-37 down midway through the third quarter to produce the second-biggest comeback in the competition history. Dovydas Giedraitis netted a game-high 21 points for the visitors, followed by Sylvain Francisco, who racked up 17 points and 6 assists with a superb individual performance.

Deividas Sirvydis added 11 points for the visitors, who have now registered six straight wins against Italian opposition as Zalgiris seems to have turned Virtus and Milan into happy hunting grounds. At the other end, Nikola Mirotic paced Milan with 17 points and 11 boards, Shavon Shields chipped in with 14 points and Zach LeDay scored 13 for the home team.

Zalgiris carved out an early 4-7 lead but Milan quickly turned the tide and pulled away to 24-17 at the end of the first quarter, with LeDay and Shields pulling the strings for the hosts.

The advantage swelled to 34-19 after Armoni Brooks dropped 6 points in quick succession, rocking the rim with a dunk before he completed a four-point play as he drew a foul while draining a triple.

Milan led 49-31 at halftime and there seemed to be no way back for Zalgiris after the Italian outfit raced clear 64-37 midway through the third quarter, as Mirotic caught fire and sank his shots from all over. However, the visitors then found some momentum with a 9-0 run and having slashed the deficit to 66-48 ahead of the final 10 minutes, they sensed blood and engineered one of the most incredible comebacks in EuroLeague history.

Roared on by a sizeable contingent of travelling fans, Zalgiris closed in to 71-60 but Milan still looked in control after Shields made a pair of clutch shots, a tip-in followed by a mid-range jumper. Zalgiris then resorted to a half-court press which knocked the hosts out of their stride and generated a 3-16 run, turning the match on its head as the Lithuanian outfit edged ahead, 78-81.

The frantic climax produced a huge block by Alen Smailagic on Neno Dimitrijevic, with joyous Zalgiris players and fans dancing in delight after Giedraitis sank a pair of free throws before Brooks failed to force overtime from deep at the other end.

The Lithuanian side fought back from a 27-point deficit in the third quarter to grab its second win in Italy in three days