With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on a two-week hiatus from games, it is the perfect time to look back at the top performers from the first 26 rounds of the regular season and to look ahead and make our early picks for some of the end-of-season awards. Several Euroleague.net staff members will take part and reveal their choices. We start with their selections for the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy.

Awards watch: EuroLeague Top Scorer

With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on a two-week hiatus from games, it is the perfect time to look back at the top performers from the first 26 rounds of the regular season and to look ahead and make our early picks for some of the end-of-season awards. 

Several [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) staff members will take part and reveal their choices. We start with their selections for the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy.

### Mike James has it in the bag

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Having entered the 2023-24 campaign knowing that becoming the EuroLeague’s all-time top scorer is a real possibility, AS Monaco star [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) has been on a tear all season long. James has led the EuroLeague in scoring over the last couple of months – and currently averages a league-best 19.4 points per night – and I am convinced that he will come away with his second Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy come the end of the campaign. 

What’s more, James is now just 28 points behind Greek legend Vassilis Spanoulis for the all-time top scorer honor and should usurp his friend “Billy” in the next game or two. There’s no doubt that James’s scoring makes Monaco a huge threat on a night in, night out basis, and I don’t think that “The Natural” will be slowing down any time soon. This might not be the only individual award that James wins this season, too…

AS Monaco's Mike James currently leads the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in scoring at 19.4 points per game.

Mike James: EuroLeague Top Scorer candidates

### You can bet on more Markus Howard heroics

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz sharpshooter [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) is second in the league in scoring with 19.2 points per game, which is 0.2 points less than the leader, Mike James. In total, he trails James for the top spot by just 5 points. Anyone who has seen Howard get hot this season knows that he can tally 5 points in a matter of seconds. No player has more 30-point games this season than Howard’s three. His 35-point outburst against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 9 remains the second-most points scored by a player this season and his 33 at AS Monaco in Round 20 is tied for third. 

Howard also has five games with at least 6 triples made; no other player has more than two. Just two weeks ago, he set a club record with an 18-point second-quarter in Round 25 against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. Howard started the season in a bit of a rut; he averaged 6.3 points on 2-for-19 three-point shooting (10.5) over his first three games. Ever since, Howard has been worth 20.7 points on 43.5% three-point shooting. Those numbers should lead him to the scoring title.

Markus Howard erupts for 18 points in 2Q

### Watch out for Wade Baldwin

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

Currently sitting in fourth place among EuroLeague top scorers is All-EuroLeague guard [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. He is averaging 17.4 points, having appeared in 19 games this season. However, Baldwin is currently the hottest scorer in the competition. Over the last five games no player has scored more than Baldwin's 23.8 points per game, and that is a full 5 points per game more than Mike James over that same five-game stretch since Round 22. 

The lead held by James and Howard at the top of the scoring charts might at first look out of reach for Baldwin, but bear in mind that if Baldwin and James continue scoring at the same rate as they have been the last five games, Baldwin would overtake James as the top scorer at the end of Round 34. I think that is more than possible, and that is not the slightest of knocks on James’s and Howard’s scoring abilities. I really believe Baldwin can do it.

Some of Wade Baldwin's best baskets in 2023-24

### Don't count Shane Larkin out

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

He may be a few points behind, but it is isn't over until it's over. [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul ranks third in scoring (17.6 ppg.) this season. With the same number of games, Larkin is 46 points behind James, but there are good reasons to believe he will catch up and challenge for the scoring title. Larkin has been Efes's go-to guy and leader all season, but even more so since Tomislav Mijatovic was promoted to head coach. 

In those two games with Coach Mijatovic, he already boosted his scoring average to 20.5 points. Larkin is arguably in his best shape since averaging 22.2 points in the 2019-20 season. That's when he broke the EuroLeague's single-game scoring record, getting 49 points against FC Bayern Munich. Larkin is full of confidence and on a mission to keep Efes in the playoff race, so expect him to fight for the Alphonso Ford Trophy, too.

Shane Larkin Top Plays of the 2023-24 Regular Season

2023-24 EuroLeague scoring highlights: Shane Larkin, Efes

Check out the favorites below, according to Euroleague.net journalists

Awards Watch: EuroLeague Top Scorer 

**CODI'S NIGHT**: On Thursday night, Codi Miller-McIntyre broke the EuroLeague's single-game record with 20 assists and became the third man ever to record a triple-double in the competition.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My teammates, Coach and the fans made this happen! <a href="https://t.co/EmZAkMUQzf">https://t.co/EmZAkMUQzf</a></p>&mdash; Codi Miller-McIntyre (@CMMPatience) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMMPatience/status/1755727914832646623?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡La importancia de la FAMILIA en los grandes momentos! ❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/CMMPatience?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMMPatience</a> <br><br>¡Repasa las declaraciones del 3º jugador en lograr un TRIPLE-DOBLE en <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a>! 🎥 <a href="https://t.co/1AQEsQ1jLJ">https://t.co/1AQEsQ1jLJ</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/OSdd16558G">pic.twitter.com/OSdd16558G</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1755902107813577129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 &amp; 20 asistencias 🌟<br><br>¡Historia de Baskonia! 🔵🔴<br>¡Historia de la <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a>! <br>¡Historia del baloncesto! 🏀<br><br>¡Repasa el TRIPLE-DOBLE de <a href="https://twitter.com/CMMPatience?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMMPatience</a>! 🎥 <a href="https://t.co/8TFcbuKGOo">https://t.co/8TFcbuKGOo</a><br>🗞️ <a href="https://t.co/l5Wpcg65TM">https://t.co/l5Wpcg65TM</a> <a href="https://t.co/aoqYUjGlV7">pic.twitter.com/aoqYUjGlV7</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1755872137250763116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wow. What a historic night for <a href="https://twitter.com/CMMPatience?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMMPatience</a> !! Great win tonight fellas. On to the next!</p>&mdash; Jordan Theodore (@J__Theo25) <a href="https://twitter.com/J__Theo25/status/1755701342499143696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔥🔥🔥 LA LOCURA DEL VESTUARIO 🔥🔥🔥<br><br>FAMILY 💙❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/uUNSHLjZXs">pic.twitter.com/uUNSHLjZXs</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1755716976247222700?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NO WORDS 🔥🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> HISTORY 🤩🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/CMMPatience?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMMPatience</a> THE WOLF 🐺🔝 <a href="https://t.co/hzCfU76yif">pic.twitter.com/hzCfU76yif</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1755702723284963738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**UNLIMITED RANGE**: Luckily, the cameras were on when Jaron Blossomgame and Paris Lee made their shots.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏈 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗖𝗛𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡 💯🎯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/Xt9bxqtLWV">pic.twitter.com/Xt9bxqtLWV</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1755943084934750525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">PLEE avait prévenu 😂<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/iZ9PWCqMI0">pic.twitter.com/iZ9PWCqMI0</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1755626979775086795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**SMALL WORLD**: Staying at the same hotel will do that to you. As Zalgiris was going to its morning shootaround, Bayern was on its way out of the hotel. Andrea Trinchieri was Bayern's head coach the past three years.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Small world. Zalgiris head coach Andrea Trinchieri meets his former team <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBBasketball</a> in Belgrade. 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/rgaOrADhZT">pic.twitter.com/rgaOrADhZT</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1755915155773202653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**WARM WELCOMES**: Vladimir Lucic played for the first time in his career against Partizan. And there is always a big welcome for Sergio Rodriguez in Milan.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1⃣3⃣<br>4⃣EVER <a href="https://t.co/bfB2DBNGqJ">https://t.co/bfB2DBNGqJ</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1755908987269030303?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Welcome home Luča! | Willkommen zuhause Luča!🖤🤍 <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://twitter.com/FCBBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBBasketball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/bhHRt6l43N">pic.twitter.com/bhHRt6l43N</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1755664616137306130?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">They know how to throw a reception in Belgrade 👏 <br><br>Welcome back to the Stark Arena, Vladimir Lucic! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/kh6IuQgTPe">pic.twitter.com/kh6IuQgTPe</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1755675480273883594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**THE SHOT**: The sights and sounds of Sylvain Francisco's game-winner at a packed Stark Arena.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 Sylvain <a href="https://twitter.com/S_CISCO_2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@S_CISCO_2</a> calls game <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/WPqvbMikTr">pic.twitter.com/WPqvbMikTr</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1755711378742968357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">⏳🏹 <a href="https://t.co/W9qq0nUoUC">pic.twitter.com/W9qq0nUoUC</a></p>&mdash; Frenchie (@S_CISCO_2) <a href="https://twitter.com/S_CISCO_2/status/1756373671139025382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**WINNERS' CORNER**: Bayern, Zalgiris and Monaco pulled out tight road wins, while Efes picked up another win under new head coach Tomislav Mijatovic.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dreams will always come true... 🏀❤️<br>Beogradska Arena ✅ <a href="https://t.co/FFhqNgcmIU">pic.twitter.com/FFhqNgcmIU</a></p>&mdash; Dino Radončić (@DinoRadoncic6) <a href="https://twitter.com/DinoRadoncic6/status/1755947491856392232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🧐 We are now 3-0 with Schweinsteiger Courtside. No pressure, <a href="https://twitter.com/BSchweinsteiger?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BSchweinsteiger</a> 😂 <a href="https://t.co/edhQ1PU8ek">pic.twitter.com/edhQ1PU8ek</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1755717944250699777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Güzel dilekleri için herkese şimdiden teşekkürler! 💙🤍<br><br>🥳 Devaaaaaam! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/syTI5MLgee">pic.twitter.com/syTI5MLgee</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1755684628625515000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Partidazo de todos pero sobre todo del Lobo <a href="https://twitter.com/CMMPatience?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMMPatience</a> 💪🏼🐺🔥 <br>Era muy importante ganar hoy y lo hemos hecho gracias a vuestro apoyo afición.🙌🏼 Nos vemos el domingo! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> 🔵🔴 <a href="https://t.co/qh2idMOUig">pic.twitter.com/qh2idMOUig</a></p>&mdash; dani diez (@danidiez11) <a href="https://twitter.com/danidiez11/status/1755725431074881903?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Same place, same feeling ✌🏼💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAOwins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAOwins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://t.co/Qt9593CEuD">pic.twitter.com/Qt9593CEuD</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1756232880634626400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Captain &amp; his emotions 🦁 <a href="https://t.co/Sisq7HJXqm">pic.twitter.com/Sisq7HJXqm</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1756209360391246263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Amazing win fellas😤 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadWarriors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadWarriors</a> <a href="https://t.co/JpvMZZb2KK">https://t.co/JpvMZZb2KK</a></p>&mdash; Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd/status/1756088547457573254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Check out our selection of social media posts from around the EuroLeague.

EuroLeague week on social media

After suffering its worst loss of the season, a 26-point beatdown at Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 24, Anadolu Efes Istanbul made a change at the head of its bench and promoted assistant coach Tomislav Mijatovic to man the sidelines. 

Coach Mijatovic has changed Efes's mentality

After suffering its worst loss of the season, a 26-point beatdown at Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 24, Anadolu Efes Istanbul made a change at the head of its bench and promoted assistant coach Tomislav Mijatovic to man the sidelines. In the two games since, Efes has defeated EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 79-73 and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 105-91 to quickly repair its hopes of reaching the Play-In Showdown.

Mijatovic is well-known at Efes. He joined the team as an assistant coach and worked under some of the best coaches in Europe, including Dusan Ivkovic, Velimir Perasovic, Oktay Mahmuti and Ergin Ataman. A basketball junkie, he seemed to be comfortable in his assistant coaching role but when Efes parted ways with Erdem Cam, it was his time to shine.

Having part of the core of players who won back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championships has helped Mijatovic hit the ground running.  Efes is a different team now, but Shane Larkin, Rodrigue Beaubois, Elijah Bryant, Erten Gazi and Tibor Pleiss won the EuroLeague with the club and are still around. One of the first things that Coach Mijatovic did was to lean on these players.

Shane Larkin Top Plays of the Round 25 and Round 26

Larkin steps up for Efes

It has shown right away. In the last two games, Larkin has averaged 20.5 points on 7-of-12 two-point shooting and 7-of-14 on threes plus 6.0 assists for a PIR of 28.0, an increase over his season averages (17.6 ppg., 5.3 apg., 20.8 PIR). Rodrigue Beaubois had 20 points against Maccabi, Gazi has started both games as his team's on-the-ball defensive stopper, Pleiss has been worth 14.5 points and a PIR of 14.5, and Bryant is playing a key role in leading the team's second unit.

Once roles were well-defined, other players stepped up. Will Clyburn buried back-to-back three-pointers in crunch time against Milan and had 10 points and 7 rebounds against Maccabi. In that game, Ercan Osmani had a career-best night with 13 points and 7 rebounds for a PIR of 20. Before Round 26, he had averaged 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds for a PIR of 1.0 this season. Derek Willis and Tyrique Jones have also been important pieces of the puzzle, providing physicality and great intensity.

"The guys showed that we have that Efes character in us," Mijatovic said after beating Maccabi. "They fought for 40 minutes against a team that never really gives up, they keep coming. The guys really did an amazing job. Our coaches did an amazing job preparing the game and our fans showed up, made us feel very comfortable. It was a collective team win. I am really happy and thankful to everybody who participated and did this wonderful job."

Efes will need that character in the remaining eight regular season games. It is two wins behind Maccabi for 10th place, the last spot that leads to the Play-In Showdown. Efes now has a 13-13 record and owns the tie-break advantage against the Israeli champs. Efes has regrouped and will next have a chance to prove itself at one of the toughest courts in Europe, as it plays against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade at Stark Arena in Round 27.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has won back-to-back games since it appointed Tomislav Mijatovic as head coach. 

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-02-08T17:30:00.000Z)

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Mbaye Ndiaye of ASVEL after dunking against Baskonia.

Shane Larkin of Efes tries to elude the defense of Maccabi's Josh Nebo and Bonzie Colson.

Willy Hernangomez of Barcelona grabs the rebound in front of ALBA Berlin's Justin Bean and Kresimir Nikic.

Jonathan Motley of Fenerbahce dunks the ball in front of Panathinaikos's Mathias Lessort and Juancho Hernangomez.

Nikola Mirotic of Milan fights for the ball with Real Madrid's Facu Campazzo..

Kevin Punter of Partizan shoots over Bayern's Serge Ibaka and Isaac Bonga.

Jaron Blossomgame of Monaco dunks in front of Virtus's Jordan Mickey.

Thomas Walkup of Olympiacos tries to pass the ball past Valencia's Chris Jones.

Walter Tavares of Real Madrid dunks against Milan.

Dovydas Giedraitis of Zalgiris and Zvezda's Nemanja Nedovic chase down a loose ball. 

Look back at all the action from Round 26 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

The Top 10 photos of the week, Rounds 26

Following speculation surrounding a play happening with 21.1 seconds remaining on the game clock of the fourth quarter of the Round 26 game between Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Zalgiris Kaunas, played on February 9, 2024, Euroleague Basketball's findings are:

\- With 21.1 seconds remaining on the game clock, Dovydas Giedraitis inbounds the ball from Zalgiris Kaunas’ frontcourt to Keenan Evans. Keenan Evans receives the ball and passes it to Tomas Dimsa who draws a personal foul. The referees determined that Keenan Evans did not step on the midcourt line during his possession, therefore no backcourt violation was called.

Euroleague Basketball Officiating Department has reviewed multiple camera angles available of the game and has not found any clear and conclusive visual evidence that Keenan Evans steps on the midcourt line, therefore it is determined that the officiating crew made a correct no call.

Euroleague Basketball report on Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Zalgiris Kaunas

In the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague roll call, we take a look at five players that had a big impact on their respective games for Round 26.

Roll call, Round 26: Finding a way to stand out

### Roddy Buckets was efficient in his minutes

He may have played just 14:51 minutes, but that was still enough time for [Rodrigue Beaubois](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rodrigue-beaubois/006590/) to reach 20 points in Anadolu Efes Istanbul’s [105-91 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/227/) against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. In the final minutes of the contest, the veteran guard netted 6 of Efes’s last 10 points to make sure there was no way for Maccabi to turn things around late on. “Roddy Buckets” also finished with a team-high +17 in the +/- column for Efes, showing that good things tend to happen when he is on the floor.

Rodrigue Beaubois had 20 points in just 14:51 minutes as Anadolu Efes Istanbul defeated Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Round 26.

Roddy Buckets was efficient in his minutes

### Mirotic showed he’s getting back to his best

[Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) missed 12 games due to injury before returning Round 24, but his Round 26 performance in an [81-76 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-real-madrid/E2023/226/) against Real Madrid was his best game yet since stepping back on the floor. Milan boss Ettore Messina had been easing Mirotic back in, playing him just over 15 minutes per night in Rounds 24 and 25, with the 2021-22 EuroLeague MVP recording 11 and 6 points, respectively, in a couple of losses. However, with Real coming to town, Mirotic’s minutes jumped to 25:59 and he netted 23 points on impressive shooting numbers, going 1-of-2 on twos, 6-of-7 from three and 3-of-3 on free throws. Those 6 triples made is a new career high for Mirotic, who will now be looking to build on his display in Round 26 in the coming weeks.

Nikola Mirotic drained a career-high 6 threes in EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's win against Real Madrid in Round 26.

Mirotic's 6 threes vs. Real Madrid

### Peters was active on the boards

Olympiacos Piraeus can always lean on [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) to contribute in the battle of the boards, yet Round 26 saw the 28-year-old have a career-best night in that regard by bringing down 11 rebounds in a [65-78 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/228/) at Valencia Basket. In fact, the only other time that Peters had grabbed a double-digit number of boards came in Round 1 this season – and on that occasion he had to rely on an overtime period to reach 10. This time, he got the job done in just three quarters. With Nikola Milutinov still out injured and Moustapha Fall in his first game back, Peters helping out with rebounds is a big plus for head coach Georgios Bartzokas.

Alec Peters had a career-high 11 rebounds as Olympiacos Piraeus beat Valencia Basket in Round 26.

Peters's highlights vs. Valencia

### Birutis kept rolling

Zalgiris Kaunas kept its good run going by edging Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade [91-93](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/231/) in the Serbian capital. [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/) was rock-solid once again, getting 12 points on 5-of-7 two-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws. He added 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks for a PIR of 14. It is no coincidence that Zalgiris has been playing better since Birutis stepped up to become the team's go-to guy in the frontcourt. In Zalgiris’s current three-game winning streak, Birutis is averaging 14.0 points on 18-of-24 two-pointers (66.7% 2FG), 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and a PIR of 17.7. His ability to change shots on defense and finish strong around the rim has allowed Zalgiris to stay in the play-in race.

Zalgiris Kaunas center Laurynas Birutis was rock-solid once again, getting 12 points on 5 of 7 two-pointers and 2 of 2 free throws. He added 4 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocks for a PIR of 14 against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

Birutis keeps pacing Zalgiris

### First double-double for Yago Dos Santos

Friday night's game did not have a happy ending for Crvena Zvezda, but it does not take away from the fact that [Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) had the best game of his young career. In the absence of Milos Teodosic, Yago had his first double-double with 21 points and 14 assists. He was on 10 points and 9 assists in the first half, then reached a double-double on the opening possession of the third quarter. The first-year playmaker was 5-of-8 on two-pointers and 2-of-5 from downtown, keeping his team close throughout the night, but Zvezda ended up falling just short to Zalgiris at the end.

Yago Dos Santos had the best game of his young career, with his first double-double of 21 points and 14 assists.

First double-double for Yago Dos Santos

AS Monaco Basket has moved into the top four in the EuroLeague standings, which would give it home-court advantage in the playoffs, following a Round 26 win at Virtus Bologna.

Monaco Basket keeps rolling as top-four finish beckons

AS Monaco boosted its hopes of finishing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s top four at the end of the regular season and thus clinching home-court advantage in the playoffs, [having earned a 78-81 win at Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-virtus-bologna-vs-as-monaco-basket/) on Friday night.

The result propelled Monaco (16-10) into fourth position, above Virtus (16-10) and Olympiacos Piraeus (15-11), after Sasa Obradovic’s side celebrated its fifth successive win and also ended the Italian team’s 11-game unbeaten home run.

It was also sweet revenge for Monaco as [Virtus celebrated a whopping 59-83 victory in the reverse fixture](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-as-monaco-basket-vs-virtus-bologna/) in October, the Monegasques’ biggest home defeat since arriving in the EuroLeague, with the Italian side making a tremendous start as the season’s surprise package.

Monaco have thrived via four straight victories, but was shocked by the Italian team in October 2023. Virtus claimed a massive 46 rebounds in that game, so the visitors anticipate that Donta Hall and Donatas Moteijunas can protect the backboards against the power of Bryant Dunston and Toko Shengelia.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna-AS Monaco | Round 26 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Jordan Loyd’s resurgence

Monaco guard [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) stood out in the titanic tussle with a season-high 24 points on Friday, having produced easily his best performance this term after struggling with a recurring back injury for much of the campaign.

Loyd, who averages 10.3 points per night in just 11 games played this term after missing a bunch of encounters following back surgery during the off-season, sank 12 points in the second quarter against Virtus and lifted Monaco alongside pack leader [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/).

Head coach Sasa Obradovic pointed out that Loyd’s return to form was pivotal in Monaco’s bid to emulate last season’s success, when it reached the Final Four.

“He was a piece of the puzzle we needed,” Obradovic told the post-game press conference. “He was a strong factor last season and the team breathes differently when he is healthy and in the roster.

“The court is different; it gets bigger and other guys get involved more. He is a crunch player who can decide the game in any situation and our inconsistent results this season were directly connected with missing him.”

Jordan Loyd had a season-high 24 points as AS Monaco beat Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Loyd's highlights vs. Virtus

### Monaco is ‘dreaming big’

The 55-year-old Serbian tactician, who won two European Championships and one World Cup with the former Yugoslavia as a player, highlighted that the win against Virtus meant much more to Monaco than just improving its record in the standings.

“That was an extraordinary win against a direct rival for one of the top positions in the standings,” he stated. “It was more like a typical playoff game, with a lot of toughness and physicality. Our confidence and chemistry is growing with each game and we can be a threat to anybody. We are very happy with the win and we’re dreaming big.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🤩 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 🫶🇲🇨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/PcI9qwpTuM">pic.twitter.com/PcI9qwpTuM</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1756078333220077789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Obradovic credited tougher defense as the reason Monaco has been able to rise from mid-table and make its mark as a strong top-four contender amid fierce competition, with one win separating five teams in the mix.

Third-placed Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (16-10) all the way to seventh-placed Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (15-11) constitute a shark-tank in the upper half of the table, with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (14-12) in eighth breathing down everyone’s necks.

“We are a different team now that we were even a month ago as we’ve raised the level of our defense,” added Obradovic. “We always had the talent on the offensive end with players able to create and make their own shots, but stepping up on defense has been crucial.”

More Monaco News

Mam Jaiteh of AS Monaco fist pumps during his team's win at Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 26 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Monegasque team recorded a gritty win at Virtus as Jordan Loyd provided the spark.

Monaco keeps rolling as top-four finish beckons

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v AS Monaco (2024-02-09T19:30:00.000Z)

Round 26 saw many Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars deliver great individual performances. These are the players who led all the main statistical categories.

Round 26 individual highs: Chima Moneke, Baskonia, 15 rebounds

[Points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score)

[Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan was Round 26's top scorer with 27 points. [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) of AS Monaco is this season's leading scorer with 19.4 points per night.

[Rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds)

[Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) of Olympiacos Piraeus each pulled down 11 rebounds in Round 26. [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) of Baskonia leads all rebounders with 7.3 boards per game.

[Assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances)

Miller-McIntyre dished 20 assists against ASVEL, setting a new single-game all-time record. He also leads the overall standings with 7.2 per contest.

[Steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals)

[Oscar da Silva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/oscar-da-silva/011244/) of FC Barcelona recorded a round-high 5 steals. [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne ranks first overall in steals with 1.8 per game.

[Blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour)

[Jordan Mickey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-mickey/008847/) of Virtus Segafredo Bologna had 3 blocks, more than anyone else in Round 26. [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) of Real Madrid is this season's leader in blocks with 1.6 per game.

[Double-doubles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=miscellaneous&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=doubleDoubles)

Da Silva (10 points, 10 rebounds), [Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (21 points, 14 assists) and [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/) of ASVEL (16 points, 10 rebounds) each had a double-double in Round 26. Miller-McIntyre posted 11 points, 11 rebounds and 20 assists, recording the fourth-ever triple-double in EuroLeague history.

Round 26 individual highs: Codi Miller-McIntyre, Baskonia, 20 assists

A truly historic performance in a winning effort has seen Codi Miller McIntyre of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz claim Round 26 MVP honors with a career-high PIR of 42.

Round 26 MVP: Codi Miller-McIntyre, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

A truly historic performance in a winning effort has seen Codi Miller McIntyre of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz claim Round 26 MVP honors with a career-high PIR of 42.

Miller-McIntyre led Baskonia to a 94-80 home victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. He broke the EuroLeague's all-time assist record, dishing a career-best 20. Facu Campazzo and Stefan Jovic shared the previous record with 19 assists apiece. He added 11 points and a personal-high 11 rebounds to become just the third-ever EuroLeague player with a triple-double after Nick Calathes and Nikola Vujcic. Miller-McIntyre also set another all-time record for the most assists in a half, having had 12 before halftime. This is his second MVP of the Round honor this season, as he previously earned Round 8 MVP honors with a PIR of 29.

A truly historical perfomance in a winning effort allowed Codi Miller McIntyre of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz to claim Regular Season Round 26 MVP honors with a PIR of 42!

Codi Miller-McIntyre | RS Round 26 MVP | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Wade Baldwin of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Yago Dos Santos of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade each had a PIR of 32 in Round 26. Larkin led Efes to a 105-91 win over Maccabi with 22 points on 4-of-7 two-pointers and 4-of-4 free throws, in addition to having 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 fouls drawn. In that game, Baldwin amassed 26 points, 5 assists and 10 fouls drawn. Dos Santos posted 21 points, 3 rebounds, 14 assists and 6 fouls drawn in his team's 91-93 home loss against Zalgiris Kaunas. Shavon Shields of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and his teammate Nikola Mirotic, each with a PIR of 29 in an 81-76 victory over Real Madrid, complete the top individual performances in Round 26.

Miller-McIntyre broke the EuroLeague's all-time assist record, dishing a career-best 20, and has become just the third-ever EuroLeague player with a triple-double.