FC Barcelona delivered a strong road performance to triumph 84-98 at AS Monaco in Round 20 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, improving to 11-9 in its quest to climb the standings. 

Dario Brizuela blasts Barca past Monaco, 84-98

FC Barcelona delivered a strong road performance to triumph 84-98 at AS Monaco, improving to 11-9 in its quest to climb the standings. Monaco dropped to 13-7 and will lose a share of first place if Olympiacos Piraeus beats FC Bayern Munich on Friday.

Barcelona controlled early on and took a double-digit lead early in the second quarter before Monaco fought back to make it 41-45 at the break. Monaco briefly led in the third but the visitor pulled away again, standing firm in the final minutes for a key win.

Dario Brizuela led the way with a career-high 27 points, Chimizie Metu added 13 points plus 8 rebounds, with Kevin Punter scoring 14, Jabari Parker providing 12 and Alex Abrines netting 11. Mike James paced Monaco with 23 points and 8 assists, while Matthew Strazel hit 4 triples in his 15 points and Georgios Papagiannis had 10 points plus 4 blocked shots.

Game Videos

Justin Anderson’s jumper opened the scoring before Nick Calathes netted a putback for Monaco. Youssoupha Fall scored twice as Barca operated well inside, establishing a 5-10 lead despite a Calathes triple. Punter’s layup and Parker’s threeball gave Barca a 6-15 edge before James’s layup and Strazel’s triple made it closer. Brizuela responded from deep, but Papagiannis threw down a pair of dunks to boost the host. Elie Okobo’s layup was bettered by Metu’s three-pointer, and Metu quickly added 4 more points to make it 17-25 after ten minutes.

Brizuela’s driving layup made it a double-digit advantage, but Papagiannis and Jaron Blossomgame quickly answered with inside scores. Brizuela stayed hot with two more triples, making it 23-36. Abrines joined the three-point party and Metu scored at the rim, before Blossomgame scored twice to narrow the gap. Parker’s mid-range strike was answered by a pair of long-range strikes from James, and Vitto Brown’s jumper and Okobo free throws completed a 10-0 run to end the half, 41-45.

Game News

Two buckets from Mam Jaiteh kept Monaco moving early in the third quarter, but Fall’s layup kept Barcelona ahead, 45-49. Strazel’s three-pointer and a James free throw tied it up, before Abrines answered with a three and Punter’s long two made it 49-54. Strazel struck two more deep balls for Monaco’s first lead, but Parker and Nunez responded to make it 57-58. Brizuela and Metu pushed Barca further ahead, and Abrines tipped in on the buzzer to make it 60-66 at the end of the third.

Brizuela kept pushing Barca with another triple, and went coast-to-coast for a double-digit lead, 62-73. Calathes responded with a triple but Punter netted 5 consecutive points and soon hit another three, making it 65-83. James kept Monaco hoping from deep, Strazel made a three-point play and Papagiannis added a hook shot for an 8-0 run. Anderson’s tip-in was bettered by consecutive scores from James, pulling Monaco back to 78-85. But Brizuela continued his stellar night with another deep strike, and Parker’s inside basket protected a double-digit lead. Brizuela stepped up again, netting his sixth three-pointer and adding a layup to seal the deal.

The Spanish team grabbed a second consecutive road win to topple the league leader

AS Monaco v FC Barcelona (2025-01-09T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul recorded two straight victories for the first time since Rounds 10 and 11 by beating ALBA Berlin 90-73 at Ulker Sports and Event Hall in Round 20 of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague

Fenerbahce downs ALBA 90-73

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul recorded two straight victories for the first time since Rounds 10 and 11 by beating ALBA Berlin 90-73 at Ulker Sports and Event Hall on Thursday evening. A tight, back-and-forth affair in the first three quarters was followed by a 22-4 Fenerbahce charge in the fourth to finish the game off. With this victory, Fenerbahce improved its record to 12-7. ALBA registered its seventh consecutive loss and dropped to 3-17.

Sertac Sanli led all scorers with a season-high 18 points. Marko Guduric and Nigel Hayes-Davis netted 14 each, with Bonzie Colson adding 10. Gabriele Procida paced ALBA with 14 points, Matt Thomas had 13 and Malte Delow scored 10.

An early exchange of blows saw Fenerbahce grab a narrow 6-4 lead following a layup from Marko Guduric. Thomas netted a triple after 3 failed attempts from ALBA, but Devon Hall scored off the bench to put the hosts back in front, 7-6. Sanli took over with 5 unanswered points, with Tarik Biberovic netting a pull-up triple as Fenerbahce took a 16-11 lead into the second quarter.

Dyshawn Pierre and Nicolo Melli scored inside, with the latter completing a three-point play for a 21-13 cushion. Delow replied with 5 straight points before a dunk from Procida in transition and a triple by Will McDowell-White cut the difference to 24-23. After Pierre and Procida traded baskets, a David McCormack bucket and a triple from Thomas tied it at 30-30. Guduric and Sanli netted inside, but 4 points from Procida tied it again before a three-pointer by Colson gave the hosts a 37-34 edge at halftime.

Thomas opened the third quarter with a three, but Colson netted inside and Hayes-Davis drained one from deep for a 42-37 lead. Four points from Elias Rapieque and a bucket by Procida trimmed the deficit to 44-43. Then, a three-point play by Colson was followed by a basket from Skylar Mays for a 50-45 cushion. Hayes-Davis and Delow traded triples before Tim Schneider netted two of his own and Martin Hermannsson scored in transition, slashing the difference to 61-60 heading into the closing quarter.

Hermannsson opened the fourth with another layup, but Guduric drilled an open triple to restore a 64-62 cushion. McDowell-White and Guduric exchanged inside scores before Yanni Wetzell and Tarik Biberovic traded triples, with Sanli completing two straight three-point plays to make it 75-69. Biberovic nailed a midrange jumper and Guduric sank a corner three that opened an 80-69 lead. That’s when Hayes-Davis took over by netting back-to-back triples that put the game to bed.

Fourth-quarter surge allowed the hosts to clinch a second straight victory

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v ALBA Berlin (2025-01-09T17:45:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos BC has scored 100 or more points in three straight games for the first time in club history, during which time Kendrick Nunn has averaged 30.7 points per night.

Kendrick Nunn inspiring Panathinaikos’s historic stretch at OAKA

In mid-December, some doubts were starting to surround [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/). Despite being the reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion, [Ergin Ataman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/ataman-ergin/)’s men had an 8-7 record and had lost four of their five games between Rounds 11 and 15.

Coming off back-to-back [road losses at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/partizan-overwhelms-panathinaikos-91-73-to-make-it-four-in-a-row/) and [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/efes-beats-up-panathinaikos-93-67/), the Greens’ Round 16 clash against an in-form [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/) at OAKA had all the makings of a shock result, which could have seen Panathinaikos fully enter crisis mode.

[Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), however, made sure that wasn’t the case. Having missed the Round 15 defeat to Efes due to a one-game suspension, the 29-year-old erupted for a career-high 39 points – the joint second most by a Panathinaikos player all-time – after draining 8 three-pointers, also the joint second most in the Greens’ history, in [a thumping 103-74 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nunns-39-points-leads-panathinaikos-past-milan-103-74/). Suddenly, all seemed well in Athens.

Those 103 points were the most scored in a game in the Coach Ataman era at OAKA, and also the biggest winning margin on his watch (13th best all-time for Panathinaikos), but it was a sign of things to come – as was the scoring of Nunn. 

A couple of days after downing Milan, Panathinaikos enjoyed another huge result by [beating Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 104-69](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nunn-shines-again-as-panathinaikos-demolishes-baskonia-104-69/), setting a couple more records – the joint third-best winning margin in the club’s history, a new high under its Turkish tactician, and the most points scored with Ataman at the helm.

That Baskonia game had a bittersweet feel to it after [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) was forced off with a horrific injury in the third quarter, with the All-EuroLeague center having to [undergo surgery on a fractured fibula](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/all-euroleague-center-mathias-lessort-leaves-game-with-leg-injury/) that will rule him out for most of, if not all, the season. Still, Nunn kept doing his thing, scoring 26 points that night as Panathinaikos poured in 100 or more points in back-to-back games for the first time in club history.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sit back and enjoy his highlights from this season... <a href="https://t.co/4iicqSjktP">pic.twitter.com/4iicqSjktP</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1876013989190369350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

Then came an [impressive 69-80 win at FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-hands-bayern-first-ever-euroleague-loss-at-sap-garden-69-80/), ending the German team’s perfect 8-0 start to life at its brand-new SAP Garden arena on a night that saw Nunn finish with 27 points, before a return to OAKA, where Panathinaikos and Nunn kept doing what they have been doing of late: scoring… a lot.

In [a 111-90 triumph over Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-excels-on-offense-to-beat-virtus-111-90/), the Greens’ fourth straight win – their longest winning streak this season – saw Nunn have to share the mantle of being the team’s top scorer by netting 27 points, the same as center [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/), who enjoyed a career night. As such, Ataman’s side has now scored 100 or more points in three successive home games, making more history in the process, and Nunn has averaged a stunning 30.7 points per game over those three wins at OAKA.

Panathinaikos has risen to third in the standings with a 12-7 record thanks to its recent winning run, and this Thursday night (20:15 CET) it hosts [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/), a team that has not given up 100 points or more in a game this season. With Nunn playing at an MVP level and Panathinaikos full of confidence, it should make for a fascinating spectacle as [Zeljko Obradovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/obradovic-zeljko/) returns to the place where he lifted five EuroLeague titles.

Panathinaikos vs. Partizan News

The Greens have flipped the switch since Round 16

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2025-01-09T19:15:00.000Z)

After last year’s struggles, Anadolu Efes point guard Darius Thompson is reminding EuroLeague fans of his talent once again.

Darius Thompson has rediscovered the consistency he showed at Baskonia

Consistency is key in any aspect of life, and basketball is no exception.

Head coaches need to rely on winning runs and avoid losing slumps to keep hold of their positions, while fans surely prefer to see winning basketball rather than witness defeat after defeat.

Players build confidence with consistent performances. In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, this need turns into a priority.

His first season in Istanbul might have given [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) new experiences, colors, and angles to explore in Turkiye, but it didn't grant him the consistency he craved on the court.

However, entering the 2024-25 campaign, something changed, giving [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/)'s passionate followers an early present to unpack heading to the new year: the uniqueness of having such a talented and versatile point guard leading the team.

The efficiency of his performances at [Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/), which saw him named to the 2022-23 All-EuroLeague Second Team, seemed to fade away, but the past few weeks have been proving the opposite.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1765235/darius-thompson-anadolu-efes-euroleague-regular-season-2024-2025/).

After last year’s struggles, the Efes point guard is reminding EuroLeague fans of his talent

It's that time of year! The much-awaited mid-season survey conducted by Turkish Airlines EuroLeague GMs has arrived, and there are several interesting answers.

The GMs' mid-season survey is here!

It's that time of year! The much-awaited mid-season survey conducted by Turkish Airlines EuroLeague GMs has arrived, and there are several interesting answers.

Let's start with who they think will be the 2024-25 EuroLeague MVP...

Now, let's move onto the Rising Star award...

These two have made a huge impact for their teams this year...

He may be just 1.75 meters tall, but his leadership skills make him a giant...

He's capable of jaw-dropping performances, too...

He's already got three EuroLeague Best Defender awards in his trophy case, but is a fourth on the way?

He has made the most three-pointers in a game in EuroLeague history, remember...

Two French internationals getting some love here...

There's one guy who comes to mind when you think of unbelievable passes...

Late-game situations are made for this individual...

It might be his first season as a head coach, but you wouldn't think it...

Will we see these four teams competing against each other in late May?

The EuroLeague newcomer has impressed fans so far...

It's always a tough night against these teams...

Their creativity on social media is rewarded...

Check out what the EuroLeague GMs had to say after the halfway point of the 2024-25 season

Check out the latest episode of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast to prepare your fantasy teams for Round 20. Co-hosts Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs of Euroleague.net and Vasiliki Karamouza of Sport 24 celebrate some of their successes last week and look ahead to a new round of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games.

The Fantasy Challenge Podcast gang debates new topics in episode No. 15

Check out the latest episode of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast to prepare your fantasy teams for Round 20. Co-hosts [Javier Gancedo](https://x.com/ganchetto) and [Frankie Sachs](https://x.com/MrEuroleague) of [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) and [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://x.com/karamouza_vas) of Sport 24 celebrate some of their successes last week and look ahead to a new round of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games.

The trio discussed the center situation at [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) (is Round 19 MVP [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) the answer?), the backcourt of [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) (should you ride the [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) wave?) and who you should add from [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) (is [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) due for another huge game against ALBA?), among many other topics.

Check out the moves Javi, Frankie and Vasiliki have made ahead of Round 20, including who they have as captains. This week’s action tips off on Thursday at 18:45 CET in Istanbul with the duel between Fenerbahce and ALBA, so make sure to finalize your rosters by then. Good luck, fantasy fans!

Javi, Frankie and Vasiliki debate the best moves for your teams ahead of Round 20

Zalgiris Kaunas v Real Madrid (2025-01-10T18:00:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has appointed Luca Banchi as its new head coach. The sides agreed to a contract for the remainder of this season with an option for 2025-26

Efes appoints Luca Banchi as head coach

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has appointed Luca Banchi as its new head coach. The sides agreed to a contract for the remainder of this season with an option for 2025-26. Previous head coach Tomislav Mijatovic will remain with the club as part of Banchi's coaching staff. Banchi, 59, started the season with Virtus Segafredo Bologna, but resigned his position after a 2-10 start.

Efes will be Banchi's fifth club in the EuroLeague. He debuted with Montepaschi Siena of his native Italy in 2012 and has since spent time with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Brose Bamberg and Virtus, which he joined just before the start of the 2023-24 season. Banchi guided Virtus to the Play-In Showdown in his lone complete season with the club.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">✍️ Kariyeri boyunca pek çok başarıya imza atan ve Letonya Milli Takımı’nın da başantrenörü olan Luca Banchi ile 1+1 sezonluk sözleşme imzaladık! <br><br>15 yıldır ailemizin bir parçası olan Tomislav Mijatović ise Yardımcı Antrenörümüz olarak kulübümüzde yer almayı sürdürecek. <br><br>👉… <a href="https://t.co/r6aS4hrB2o">pic.twitter.com/r6aS4hrB2o</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1876700827999449557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Banchi had started his EuroLeague career as an assistant coach with Montepaschi Siena between 2006 and 2012. He helped it reach the Final Four in both 2008 in Madrid and 2011 in Barcelona. He later led Milan to the club's first EuroLeague Playoff appearance this century in 2014. Banchi also coached two seasons in the EuroCup, first with Turin of Italy in 2017-18 and then with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar of Russia in 2019-20, with an 8-11 overall record between those two seasons.

His trophy case includes winning the FIBA Intercontinental Cup with Lokomotiv in 2019, Italian League championships with Milan in 2013 and 2014 as well as the Italian Cup in the first of those seasons. Banchi, who has also coached clubs in Greece and France and spent a seasons as an assistant coach in the G League, is the head coach of the Latvian national team. He was named the Best Coach of the 2023 Basketball World Cup after leading Latvia to an unexpected fifth-place finish.

Latest Efes news

Previous bench boss Tomislav Mijatovic will remain with the club as part of Banchi's staff

In Round 20's Rivalry Series game, Real Madrid heads to Zalgiris Kaunas in a contest that sees the two teams heading in different directions in the standings.

Real Madrid faces Zalgiris in friendly territory

Friday night pits two teams – [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) and [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) – against each other with the same 10-9 record, but they come into this Rivalry Series game but in very different circumstances.

*Los Blancos* are riding the wave of a four-game winning streak and after this Round 20 showdown, they play their next three game in the Spanish capital. Zalgiris, meanwhile, had a strong start to the season having won six of its first seven games, but is now on a three-game losing streak.

The game comes at a pivotal time for both teams and getting the tiebreaker could have a big impact in the standings at the end of the regular season. In Round 15, [Zalgiris upset Real 83-92 at Movistar Arena](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-overpowers-real-in-madrid-83-92/) behind 21 points from [Lonnie Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lonnie-walker-iv/013403/), all of them coming in an outstanding first half in which he helped his team get a 38-54 lead. Zalgiris had six players score in double digits and the team buried 15-of-29 three-pointers.

That was Real's last loss in the competition, and that night saw coach [Chus Mateo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/mateo-chus/?season=E2024)'s team hit just 8-of-26 triples (30.8% 3FG) while finishing the contest with 16 assists and 14 turnovers. It was a wake-up call for Real, which has taken a better care of the ball since that day, leading to a higher three-point shooting percentage.

In its last four wins, Madrid totaled 74 assists (18.5 apg.) while its opponents combined for 58 (14.5 apg.). *Los Blancos* also outrebounded each and every opponent in that stretch, grabbing 157 boards (39.3 rpg.) and allowing just 124 (31.0 rpg.). Being solid under the boards has made the difference in the last four games.

In the opening 16 fixtures, Zalgiris averaged more two-point shots (33.7) than three-point attempts (28.4). Things have changed in the last three games, with Zalgiris pulling the trigger from downtown way more often than before. Coach [Andrea Trinchieri](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/trinchieri-andrea/?season=E2024)'s team took 34.3 three-point attempts on average, and just 25.0 shots inside the arc.

Zalgiris has taken worse care of the ball, too, averaging 4.7 assists and 18.0 turnovers in the last three games, compared to 6.8 steals and 11.9 turnovers in the opening 16 showdowns.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">✨ HISTORIA QUE TÚ HICISTE. HISTORIA POR HACER.<br>🎩 <a href="https://twitter.com/23Llull?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@23Llull</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/upUo2d4KDB">pic.twitter.com/upUo2d4KDB</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1875306141455876148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Real comes to one of its favorite courts, Zalgirio Arena, where it won its 11th Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title in 2023 after [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) buried a shot late in the championship game which [allowed Los Blancos to beat Olympiacos Piraeus 78-79](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/championship-game-blog-olympiacos-piraeus-vs-real-madrid/). Llull returns to Kaunas not just as a three-time champion, but as the competition's all-time leader in game appearances (426), minutes played (9,410) and three-pointers made.

In general, Real has been rock-solid in Kaunas this century. Other than its two victories at the 2023 Final Four, Real has an 11-4 road record at Zalgiris’s home. Last season, [Coach Mateo’s men edged Zalgiris 62-64](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-zalgiris-kaunas-vs-real-madrid/) on a buzzer-beating turnaround jumper by [Gaby Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/), who will miss this week’s Rivalry Series game due to injury.

This contest gives EuroLeague fans the chance to see two of the best point guards in the competition go against each other. Despite his team's struggles, Zalgiris playmaker [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) has been spectacular of late, averaging 18.0 points, 3.5 assists and a PIR of 20.2 in the last six games. [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) had a PIR of 7 in his team's Round 15 loss against Zalgiris, which is just one of two single-digit PIR games for him this season, so he has probably marked this showdown in red. Since then, Campazzo has averaged 13.3 points, 6.0 assists and a PIR of 21.0.

There is more to this game than a stellar matchup. Two of the four players to earn EuroLeague Best Defender honors more than once, [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) of Real and [Bryant Dunston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bryant-dunston/003048/) of Zalgiris, are going up against each other. [Dimitris Diamantidis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dimitris-diamantidis/jko/) and [Kyle Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kyle-hines/002812/) are the other two players in this exclusive list.

At Movistar Arena in mid-December, [Brady Manek](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/brady-manek/012715/) had a season-high 13 points against Real and [Alen Smailagic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alen-smailagic/011051/) had 12, one shy of his best mark in the present campaign. Their matchup against Eli Ndiaye and [Usman Garuba](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/usman-garuba/007630/) should be one to follow. Without Deck, [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) is set to see playing time at power forward, too.

Of course, Zalgiris relies on its home-court advantage to be a big factor in this game. Zalgiris has lost three of its last four home games against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Olympiacos Piraeus. Real won its last four games by double digits and arrives in Lithuania in its best form of the season, so a big push will be required from Zalgiris fans.

Expect nothing but a heavy basketball atmosphere and an outstanding basketball game, the kind only the EuroLeague can offer this early in 2025. Tune in on Friday, January 10 at 19:00 CET and enjoy the show!

The two teams face off in Kaunas in Round 20's Rivalry Series game

[Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/) has confirmed that forward [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) will be out of action for at least the next 10 weeks after suffering an injury to his left foot.

Clyburn has been an ever-present for Virtus this season, averaging 13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals and a 15.6 PIR in 19 appearances.

"Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna S.p.A. announces that during the Italian League game with Reggio Emilia, Will Clyburn suffered a partial injury to the plantar fascia of his left foot," Virtus said.

"The player will undergo specific treatments, will be reevaluated periodically and will be absent from play for a period of no less than 10 weeks."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="cy" dir="ltr">Comunicato Will Clyburn ⬇️<a href="https://t.co/5V56vtNFZN">https://t.co/5V56vtNFZN</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1876592230443700282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Clyburn is in his first season at Virtus and ninth Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign overall, having previously suited up for [Darussafaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/darussafaka-dogus-istanbul/dar/) (2016-17), [CSKA Moscow](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/cska-moscow/csk/) (2017-22), and [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) (2022-24) prior to joining the Bologna-based side this past summer.

More Virtus News

He is in his first season at Virtus, appearing in all 19 of the team's games this season

Will Clyburn out at least 10 weeks with foot injury

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

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Olympiacos Piraeus (2025-02-28T19:00:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Paris Basketball (2025-02-07T19:30:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2025-02-05T19:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-01-31T17:30:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v AS Monaco (2025-01-23T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-01-17T19:30:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-01-15T18:00:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2025-01-10T19:45:00.000Z)