Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 9 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Pre-game quotes hub: 'This will be a real benchmark for us'

## Wednesday, November 13

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. FC Barcelona (18:00 CET)

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

"We know very well who Barcelona is, the team that always has the highest ambitions. They have enormous quality, they are very well led from the bench. It doesn't matter at all who is the starter and who is on the bench – everyone makes a big contribution. They are currently the second most efficient team in the Euroleague. We have to play a good game defensively to have any chance. They have many players who are capable of solving the game."

**Carlik Jones, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard**

"Barcelona is currently at the top of the standings. We have a double round coming up after several lost matches in the Euroleague. We lost most of them in an uncertain ending, except for the game against Fenerbahçe. We are excited to play in front of our fans again."

**Kevin Punter, FC Barcelona guard**

"Everyone knows my relation with Partizan and the people there. I played there for three years, so it's going to be crazy tomorrow. I built a real relationship with these people for three years – I went through ups and downs with these people – so I have a real, real relationship off the court with a lot of the people there. That's what makes it really special, not just for me but for the majority of the players that have played there. I know we have to win, we have to win tomorrow. We'll be good tomorrow, for sure."

### Paris Basketball vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:30 CET)

**Andrea Trinchieri, Zalgiris Kaunas head coach**

"They are a very hot team playing with great energy, confidence, hitting shots. The schedule has no mercy, no mercy for our injuries, no mercy for trying to have the time to prepare for any time of game. We are in the washing machine and the washing machine is running. We will try to squeeze the juice out of our players and build a very consistent game because Paris is able to stress you on many aspects of the game: energy, rebounding, running. They have great up-tempo and they are playing with a lot of number of possessions. We are a defensive team and we don't like a lot to have more possessions, but we need to embrace this challenge."

**Matt Mitchell, Zalgiris Kaunas forward**

"We've had a couple of double weeks already, so just continuing to stay confident and stay locked in and focused throughout the week. We know it's going to be a long, tough week. We've got two tough teams coming up, and two teams that are playing well with good talent. Just got to be focused and locked in on the games."

## Tuesday, November 12

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. FC Bayern Munich (18:45 CET)

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

"Bayern is playing fantastic basketball. Offensively, they have a great guard play with Edwards, Napier, Obst and Weiler-Babb. Also, the big guys understanding their role. The fact is Voigtmann and Booker can open up and shoot the ball which makes it really difficult to guard. So we need to focus on defense and try to understand what we can give up and what we cannot give up."

**Arturs Zagars, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul guard**

"Definitely it's a difficult situation because we had a game just yesterday \[in the Turkish League\] so maybe we couldn't prepare as well as we wanted to. They are a good team. Five wins in a row. Great guard backups. Great guard duo. A lot of good numbers on isolations and on transition. A lot of shots after dribbling. So we just got to try to execute our game plan. To our fans, just stay the way you are. Bring the energy they always bring. It will help us, for sure."

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

"This will be an interesting game and a real benchmark for us against one of the best European teams. I have great respect for Coach Jasikevicius; I enjoyed watching him as a player and I appreciate him just as much as a coach. The game will be a good test for us, but also a great challenge."

**Devin Booker, FC Bayern Munich center**

"It’s going to be a tough game against a challenging opponent. They have a great group with many scorers, so we’ll need to be very focused. It’s going to be a big game.“

### AS Monaco vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (19:00 CET)

**Sasa Obradovic, AS Monaco head coach**

"Preparation for this match against Crvena Zvezda is short. Anyone familiar with the EuroLeague knows who we'll be playing against: we're talking about players like Nedovic, Teodosic, Yago Dos Santos, Miller McIntyre, Bolomboy, Kalinic and so on. We know what we have to do, and we'll be very focused. Crvena Zvezda is a strong team this season, and we'll have to do everything we can to make sure we win at home."

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

"Monaco is a very good team that is built to go to the Final Four. An athletic team with the same coach, who has the main group of the team together for some time. It is important for us to fight in Monte Carlo with all the forces at our disposal. Because we know, when we play like that, we have a chance to make a good result. We cannot focus on one player, Mike James is one of the best in the EuroLeague, but we have to worry about everyone, because everyone in the Monaco team is capable of creating a problem for the opposing team. That's why we have to play high-quality individual and team defense. Offensively, it's important to play our way and to read the game."

**Nemanja Nedovic, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade guard**

"There is not much time for preparation. We had a game on Sunday. Today we will go over some important details related to the game tomorrow. The most important thing is to recover and be ready for two difficult away games. Both teams are playing hard, I hope we will record victories. A triumph against Monaco would give us extra energy for the duel with ASVEL. Games are like on 'tape'. It's hard, but when you win it's easier. Individual defense is required. Monaco is the strongest team in terms of individual quality. If I had to choose a recipe, I would choose the second half against Zalgiris. That's how we should look, if we want to do something."

### Olympiacos Piraeus vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:00 CET)

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach**

"The last 10 days, we have played really well. Before, we did not play that well, at least not on both ends. We have the game against ASVEL ahead of us, and it’s going to be a tough one. And I am not saying this as a matter of form but in all sincerity. ASVEL is a good team, very athletic, with good and experienced players. Some may believe that because we won the three previous games, we will easily get this one. But that’s false. We analyzed our opponent; we have explained to our players what they need to do, and if we follow the game plan, I am optimistic that we will get the win. A win is a win in the EuroLeague and, it’s equally important whether you beat Real or Panathinaikos, or ASVEL on your home court. To me, the importance of tomorrow’s game is the same, and maybe more."

**Nikola Milutinov, Olympiacos Piraeus center**

"They have a very good quality and athletic roster. They have the ability to play aggressive, and that’s exactly what we must do – match their aggressiveness. That will be the key. The importance of this game is huge because our goal is to extend our winning streak. We must be focused and play as we did against Panathinaikos. If we do that, we will manage to get the win."

### ALBA Berlin vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (20:00 CET)

**Israel Gonzalez, ALBA Berlin head coach**

"Milano also had to contend with injury problems, but they have an extremely deep roster and beat Real Madrid last week. In Nikola Mirotic, in particular, they have a player who has a lot of individual quality and can be decisive in games."

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

"For us, an obviously very important and also difficult week begins. We want to try to follow up the good performance produced against Real Madrid, starting with the Berlin game. To do so, we will have to build our game as always on defense and rebounding, as well as maintain concentration and willingness to help each other both on defense and offense."

**Leandro Bolmaro, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan guard**

"In Berlin, it will be important for us, above all, to play with continuity for all 40 minutes, both on offense and defense, and to avoid the slumps that have created problems for us in recent games. ALBA is a superb team, which especially on its court manages to have a lot of energy and physicality, so we will have to pay attention to details and play as a team."

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (20:15 CET)

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

“I have been sick the last 2-3 days, I had this problem but I wasn’t hospitalized. Just after the game yesterday, the doctor told me that it is good to check if there is something – if it is serious and I need to stay in the hospital. We went there, we did tests. It is an influenza virus. Okay, I am sick but I am alive and I am with my team. I hope that tomorrow I will be on the bench. Grigonis and Antetokounmpo will not be on the roster, they need more time. But Sloukas did practice with the team and I think 90% he will be on the court to play tomorrow. Maccabi changed a lot in their roster, but they are a very athletic, very energetic team. I watched them last week live when they beat Real Madrid. They run, they play very aggressively, and in preseason we played two games against Maccabi and we lost. Tomorrow will be a very important game on our home court. We need to play aggressively, we need to play with confidence, and we need to get the victory, but for sure it will be a very tough game because Maccabi is a very dangerous team. I heard that Tamir Blatt will play tomorrow. They have a lot of shooters, they know how to play in transition, in the pick and roll. In the last game against Olympiacos, we played terribly defensively. We let them score 94 points, so we need to play better defense on the pick and roll and in transition. They beat us mentally, they beat us tactically, and they beat us with their very good individual performance. All of them played better than us. But we had a chance in the two minutes, we also went one point ahead, but then Fournier made a great shot and they took control of the game – they beat me, they beat the players, they beat all of us.”

**Jerian Grant, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard**

“Both teams are a little bit different, but they still kind of run the same offense – we do, too. It’s going to be a difficult game. We know it’s not easy, they play good basketball, so we’ve got to come ready to play. Every game is important, so we’ve go out there and do what we need to do to get the win.”

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

"We are facing one of the most challenging weeks the EuroLeague calendar can offer. We are about to play against two opponents that could easily be at the Final Four this season. We don't have much time to recover. We will do our best despite the tough matchup."

**Levi Randolph, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv forward**

"We will have to try to recover as best as possible. There is nothing else we can do but recover and get ready for another fight."

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

"PAO are a really good team with a really good roster. We played against them twice in the preseason. We have to forget about our last game, and go out there, play hard, play together and play smart – and I think we will be happy with the result."

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:30 CET)

**Tomislav Mijatovic, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach**

"We are entering the new great challenge and a new great week, a double week in EuroLeague. Our first step is, of course, a very talented, extremely well put together and a very well coached team of Baskonia, who has a high tempo, high energy, type of offensive sets that we have to be fully adjusted and fully ready for. Most importantly, we have to add value for our overall basketball performance, compete and keep moving in the right direction. We need to play 40 minutes of very concentrated basketball, 40 minutes of very tough basketball, both offensively and defensively. The whole team effort has to be great for us to reach our final goal, which is to get a very important road victory."

**Darius Thompson, Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard**

"This game is gonna be a very important game because we are in similar positions in the standings with the same number of wins and losses. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz is always a team that plays really good at home with a good crowd, I think we have to come out there and play the best of our ability and see how good we can do and hopefully come back with a win."

### Real Madrid vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (20:45 CET)

**Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach**

"We must make a big effort to get back to winning ways in the EuroLeague, but we are facing an opponent that has been playing better lately and has players of extraordinary quality like Clyburn, Shengelia, Cordinier, Zizic, Hackett, Polonara, who are some of the best you can find in the Euroleague. We are facing a team with a lot of resources and I expect a long, difficult game that will demand a lot from us and we have to go out with our best mentality."

**Alberto Abalde, Real Madrid forward**

“We are facing an important week as we are coming from several defeats and we want to be strong at home. We are not managing to be consistent on the road, the opposite happens at the WiZink Center and that is what we cannot lose. The first step is tomorrow's game against Virtus and we must be solid for as many minutes as possible, not having ups and downs, which is where we are failing the most. We will try to get into rhythm from our defense, which is the way to play with more fluency in attack, and make a good shot selection. We feel very good with our fans because we have a special connection with them and we will try to do a good job to keep it."

**Luca Banchi, Virtus Segafredo Bologna head coach**

“The game against Real Madrid always has a special appeal, having to face a team capable, in the last three years, of reaching as many EuroLeague finals. Despite the initial difficulties, mainly the result of injuries, they have a home performance of the highest level that makes them still undefeated and that will oblige us to a game of great depth to be able to compete against an opponent of such quality. We will try to prepare carefully to be able to stem their main sources of play and take full advantage of transition play and ball circulation."

**Alessandro Pajola, Virtus Segafredo Bologna guard**

"Real Madrid is a team built to compete at a high level in the EuroLeague, with experienced players who know each other very well. We will have to face the game with attention and concentration until the end."

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 9 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Pre-game quotes hub: 'We are in the washing machine'

Paris Basketball v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-11-13T19:30:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v FC Barcelona (2024-11-13T17:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-11-12T19:45:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-11-12T19:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-11-12T19:15:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-11-12T19:00:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-11-12T19:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-11-12T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v FC Bayern Munich (2024-11-12T17:45:00.000Z)

Here you can find all the latest injury news surrounding all registered players in the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

EuroLeague injury report: Round 9

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

### ALBA Berlin

Malte Delow, Yanni Wetzell, Will McDowell-White, Matt Thomas, Martin Hermannsson, Justin Bean and Khalifa Koumadje are all unavailable for ALBA's Round 9 game against Milan on Tuesday, the club has confirmed. Louis Olinde was also a late scratch.

[Justin Bean](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/justin-bean-out-three-months-with-broken-wrist/) is out until early February after breaking his wrist.

Matt Thomas, who is yet to make an appearance this season, underwent knee surgery ahead of Round 2 and has not played since.

Khalifa Koumadje has been suspended by the club until further notice.

### Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Shane Larkin is the only player not available for Efes's Round 9 game against Monaco on Friday, the club has confirmed.

[Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/shane-larkin-out-for-3-4-weeks-with-ankle-sprain/) will miss the next 2-3 weeks after he sprained his right ankle in Round 5.

### AS Monaco

Mam Jaiteh and Nick Calathes are ruled out for Monaco's Round 9 game at Efes on Friday, the club has confirmed.

[Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nick-calathes-out-3-4-weeks-with-knee-injury/) is sidelined until mid-November due to a knee injury he suffered before Round 1.

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Baskonia has not yet sent an injury report for its Round 9 game against Efes on Tuesday.

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

Yago dos Santos and Branko Lazic are questionable for Crvena Zvezda's Round 9 game at Monaco on Tuesday, while Joel Bolomboy is ruled out, the club has confirmed.

[Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/joel-bolomboy-hyperextends-knee-avoids-acl-tear/) hyperextended his knee in Crvena Zvezda's ABA League game at Buducnost and will undergo conservative treatment. The center, who last played in Round 4, is out until late November, early December.

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Josh Nebo, Shavon Shields and Ousmane Diop are ruled out for Milan's Round 9 game at ALBA on Tuesday, while David McCormack, who has not played since Round 4, is available, the club has confirmed.

Josh Nebo has not played since Round 7.

Shavon Shields (groin) has not played since Round 5.

Ousmane Diop (ankle) has not played since Round 4.

### FC Barcelona

Nico Laprovittola is Barcelona's only absentee for its Round 9 game at Partizan on Wednesday, the club has confirmed.

[Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nico-laprovittola-to-undergo-knee-surgery/) is ruled out for the season due to an ACL and meniscus injury.

### FC Bayern Munich

Vladimir Lucic and Niels Giffey are unavailable for Bayern's Round 9 game at Fenerbahce on Tuesday, the club has confirmed.

Bayern has been without Vladimir Lucic (muscle bruise) since Round 2.

[Niels Giffey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/niels-giffey-suffers-dislocated-finger-out-for-weeks/) has not played since Round 1 after undergoing surgery on a dislocated finger.

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Wade Baldwin and Scottie Wilbekin will miss Fenerbahce's Round 9 game against Bayern on Tuesday, the club has confirmed.

[Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/wade-baldwin-sidelined-with-hamstring-injury/) suffered a hamstring injury in Round 8.

[Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-confirms-the-worst-scottie-wilbekin-has-torn-his-acl/) tore his ACL in Round 1 and is out with a long-term injury.

### LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

ASVEL has not yet sent an injury report for its Round 9 game at Olympiacos on Tuesday.

Andre Roberson has been registered and could make his EuroLeague debut in Round 9.

Melvin Ajinca suffered an injury in Round 8.

[Edwin Jackson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/edwin-jackson-to-miss-six-weeks-with-hamstring-injury/) is sidelined until late December with a hamstring injury.

Paris Lee and Joffrey Lauvergne have not played since Round 4.

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Jasiel Rivero is Maccabi's only absentee for its Round 9 game at Panathinaikos on Tuesday, the club has confirmed.

### Olympiacos Piraeus

Aside from Keenan Evans, there are no injuries among the Olympiacos squad ahead of its Round 9 game against ASVEL on Tuesday, the club has confirmed.

[Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-star-keenan-evans-out-long-term-after-knee-surgery/) remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery. He has not yet been registered for the competition.

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

Marius Grigonis (lower back) and Kostas Antetokounmpo are ruled out for Panathinaikos's Round 9 game against Maccabi on Tuesday, while Kostas Sloukas is questionable, the club has confirmed.

Marius Grigonis has not played since Round 4.

Kostas Antetokounmpo last played in Round 6.

### Paris Basketball

Paris has not yet sent an injury report for its Round 9 game against Zalgiris on Tuesday.

Daulton Hommes has not played through the first eight rounds of the season.

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Mario Nakic is out for Partizan's Round 9 game against Barcelona on Wednesday, while Vanja Marinkovic (back) is a game-time decision, the club has confirmed.

Mario Nakic (ankle) was unavailable in Round 8.

### Real Madrid

Real Madrid has not yet sent an injury report for its Round 9 game against Virtus on Tuesday.

[Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-loses-dzanan-musa-to-ankle-injury/) (ankle) did not play in Rounds 7 or 8.

Usman Garuba has not played since Round 1.

[Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/andres-feliz-to-miss-time-with-plantar-fascia-injury/) has returned to practice after dealing with a plantar fascia injury.

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Devontae Cacok is ruled out for Virtus's Round 9 game at Real Madrid on Tuesday, the club has confirmed.

Devontae Cacok is yet to play a game in the 2024-25 season.

### Zalgiris Kaunas

Alen Smailagic is out for Zalgiris's Round 9 game at Paris on Wednesday, the club has confirmed. Bryant Dunston, who was a game-time decision, is on the game-day roster, and Ignas Brazdeikis is also available.

Alen Smailagic (wrist) was unavailable in Round 8.

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

Injury report, Round 9: Smailagic out, Dunston active

Fenerbahçe Beko swingman Devon Hall has suffered a fracture in his left hand's metacarpal bone and will have to undergo surgery.

Devon Hall to undergo surgery on hand injury

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) has confirmed that swingman [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) will undergo surgery after suffering an injury to his left hand during [his team's Round 9 victory against FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/hayes-davis-leads-fenerbahce-past-bayern-87-76/) on Tuesday evening.

Hall played just over 30 minutes on the night and was on the court when the final buzzer sounded, but tests have revealed the extent of his injury.

"Fenerbahce Beko Men's Basketball Team player Devon Hall suffered an injury to his left hand during the game against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, November 12 (yesterday)," Fenerbahce said in a statement.

"After our player's check-ups at Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital, a fracture in his left hand's metacarpal bone was detected and his treatment has started and surgery is planned. We wish Devon Hall a speedy recovery and hope he will join the team as soon as possible."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Devon Hall’un sağlık durumu hakkında bilgilendirme<br> <br>Fenerbahçe Beko Erkek Basketbol Takımımızın oyuncusu Devon Hall, 12 Kasım Salı günü (dün) oynanan Bayern Münih karşılaşmasında sol elinden sakatlık yaşamıştır.<br> <br>Sporcumuzun Acıbadem Altunizade Hastanesi’nde yapılan… <a href="https://t.co/s46nUDadDi">pic.twitter.com/s46nUDadDi</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1856616990263197997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hall is in his first season at Fenerbahce after joining from [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/) this past summer. Through the first nine games of the season, he has posted 7.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and an 8.2 PIR, while Fenerbahce currently tops the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings with a 7-2 record.

In addition to the absence of Hall, coach Saras Jasikevicius is also having to deal without backguard duo [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-confirms-the-worst-scottie-wilbekin-has-torn-his-acl/), who is out for the season, and [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/wade-baldwin-sidelined-with-hamstring-injury/) due to injury.

He suffered the injury during Fenerbahce's Round 9 win against Bayern

Sometimes, sport can produce the unthinkable.

On Tuesday night, [ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/ber/) was without eight first-team players heading into its Round 9 clash against [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/) and a sixth straight defeat wasn’t just looming, it looked like a formality.

Let’s just take a look at all the players who were absent for one reason or another: [Malte Delow](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/malte-delow/008211/), [Yanni Wetzell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yanni-wetzell/011934/), [Will McDowell-White](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-mcdowell-white/008062/), [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/), [Martin Hermannsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/martin-hermannsson/008780/), [Justin Bean](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/justin-bean/012721/), [Louis Olinde](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/louis-olinde/006919/) and [Khalifa Koumadje](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/koumadje-khalifa/010791/). Even before tipoff, coach Israel Gonzalez was fearing the worst.

“The most important thing right now is not to lose more players to injury,” Coach Gonzalez told EuroLeague TV. “\[We will\] try to compete, to play our best, and to learn from such a good team and such a good coach like Ettore \[Messina\]’s Milan.”

ALBA Berlin head coach Israel Gonzalez spoke to EuroLeague TV before his team's Round 9 game against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Israel Gonzalez: 'We will try to compete'

Many believed that Milan’s array of talent, including 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/), [Leandro Bolmaro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/leandro-bolmaro/008985/), [Nico Mannion](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/niccolo-mannion/011064/) and [Neno Dimitrijevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/neno-dimitrijevic/006085/), were going to have a field day. And in part they did, especially in the cases of Mirotic and LeDay. But ALBA was simply expected to roll over for the reigning Italian League champion, which itself was without [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/), [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) and [Ousmane Diop](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ousmane-diop/013385/).

Instead, what EuroLeague fans saw was an incredible 45 minutes (the game went to overtime) worth of fighting spirit, determination and incredible resolve.

Milan had led at the end of each of the first three quarters and took an eight-point advantage (69-77) into the final frame. It looked like Goliath was set to defeat David and the home supporters' hope of a surprise result would be vanquished.

What was particularly striking through the first three quarters is that ALBA’s offense was being carried by just four players, with [Gabriele Procida](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/gabriele-procida/008384/), [Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matteo-spagnolo/008173/), [Jonas Mattisseck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jonas-mattisseck/007025/) and [Trevion Williams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/trevion-williams-/012604/) having combined for 64 of ALBA’s 69 points to that point.

Needing to outscore Milan by eight points in the fourth quarter, ALBA’s Fantastic Four made sure to step up to the plate. Together, they scored 19 fourth-quarter points – four more than Milan managed as a team – to put their side within striking distance, then it was [Tim Schneider](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tim-schneider/006251/) who kept his cool at the line to force overtime and tie the score at 92-92.

When Williams hit a couple of free throws at the very start of overtime, with Mirotic having fouled him on the initial tip, that gave ALBA its first lead since the first quarter and led to amazement among those present inside Mercedes-Benz Arena – and not for the first time on the night. Procida would end up appearing with 5 points in the extra period as ALBA held its nerve to come away with [a stunning 105-101 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/undermanned-alba-showed-incredible-fight-to-beat-milan-in-ot-105-101/).

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“I’m proud, proud of my players. Unbelievable,” Coach Gonzalez told EuroLeague TV afterward. “To survive in this situation, the only way is to keep a good spirit, stay altogether, being positive, and today we have the reward. We have to be happy. We have to enjoy it because it is a great win tonight.”

The Fantastic Four of Procida (29 points), Spagnolo (20), Mattisseck (21) and Williams (23) all set career highs in scoring, while ALBA played three 18-year-olds on the night, with two making their EuroLeague debuts in [Dorian Grosber](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dorian-grosber/012099/) and [Amon Doerries](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/amon-doerries/011626/).

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4️⃣x EuroLeague-Career-High ✨<br><br>🟡 Gabriele Procida: 29pt 4rb 3st 1bl <br>🔵 Trevion Williams: 23pt 11rb 5as 2st <br>🟡 Jonas Mattisseck: 21pt 3rb 2st <br>🔵 Matteo Spagnolo: 20pt 5rb 9as<br><br>📸 <a href="https://twitter.com/janbuchholz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@janbuchholz</a> <a href="https://t.co/yAteaUE122">pic.twitter.com/yAteaUE122</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1856490347922178508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In fact, Spagnolo could easily have been the ninth man to miss out on Tuesday night’s game, but he was determined to be with his teammates after not featuring in Rounds 7 and 8.

“Matteo was out for the week because of sickness, and all the other guys had a lot of bad injuries during the last few games, but the way that we played together, I think it is a very big step forward,” Procida stated. “It seems like we won the EuroLeague! We’ve got to enjoy a night like this because we played amazing.”

Procida is right about it seeming like ALBA had won the EuroLeague, but this was the impossible becoming reality. The depth of ALBA’s injury crisis made this a David versus Goliath sort of clash; fortunately for Coach Gonzalez, his Fantastic Four were able to come to the rescue.

Game News

The German side pulled off a big shock in Round 9

ALBA’s Fantastic Four showed that David can beat Goliath

Real Madrid broke a three-game losing streak with a 98-86 win over Virtus Bologna. Things are definitely different for Los Blancos at WiZink Center this season. 


Real was its best version of itself at home versus Virtus

[Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/?season=2024-25) snapped a three-game losing streak with a [98-86 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-bounces-back-against-virtus-98-86/) over [Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/?season=2024-25) on Tuesday. Things are definitely different for *Los Blancos* at WiZink Center this season.

Real is 0-5 on the road this season. For comparison, the team only lost four regular season road games last season. On the other hand, Real is 4-0 at home and playing really well. Against Virtus, Real played a strong game with great accuracy, focus and outstanding ball circulation.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔝 <a href="https://twitter.com/facucampazzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@facucampazzo</a> <br>👏 ¡Nuestro MVP del partido vs <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VirtusSegafredo</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/autoheroespana?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@autoheroespana</a> <a href="https://t.co/UEWozOG8kU">pic.twitter.com/UEWozOG8kU</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1856472460692001105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

*Los Blancos* shot the ball well, making 62.7% of all shots inside the arc and 42.9% from downtown. It outrebounded Virtus 39-26, getting 27 defensive rebounds and only allowing Virtus to grab 6 offensive boards. In other words, Real grabbed 81.8% of all rebounds under its rim. Virtus only got 62.5% of all rebounds under its basket.

Real finished the game with 24 assists and just 9 turnovers. [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) made it happen, getting 9 assists with 0 turnovers and amassing a PIR of 27 in less than 24 games. Campazzo's assist-to-turnover ratio is downright outstanding at home. In four games, he's dished 32 assists and picked up just 3 turnovers for a ratio of 10.67. On the road, Campazzo had 29 assists and 12 turnovers, a ratio of 2.42, which is great but much lower than at WiZink Center.

Facundo Campazzo of Real Madrid had 14 points, 9 assists and no turnovers in his team's 98-86 win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

Campazzo gives master class against Virtus

"I think we played with more hustle on defense, and I think that when we worry about our defense, \[we get\] open shots on offense and are more fluid in the game, and even more focused," Campazzo said after the game. "We have to handle that, to try to play better away, because if we only win the game, we won't get anything. We have to improve in our away games, and I think that is going to be our main goal."

Indeed, Real was able to run the floor, used its size advantage in the paint and that led to a well-balanced offense. As many as five players scored in double digits, led by [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/)'s season-high 20 points. [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) and [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) combined for 25 points on 7 of 13 two-pointers. [Xavier Rathan-Mayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/xavier-rathan-mayes/013378/) provided the fireworks from downtown, hitting 5 three-pointers on his way to a career-high 17 points.

Asked about Real's differences at home and on the road, Hezonja was crystal clear. He seems to have identified his team's problem and it is a question of working on it.

"Defense. The tenacity that we had defensively, starting to take care of business defensively when there was time. In many of these road games, we wanted to make that push but it was just not possible, we were not doing it. So we need to really focus on that side to get stops, to get easy rebounds, and that pushes our offensive game, and it is much easier to play."

Chus Mateo's side has been rock solid at home, but a very different team away from the Spanish capital

Real Madrid was its best version of itself at home versus Virtus

Olympiacos BC and LDLC ASVEL showed in Round 9 why the EuroLeague is the most competitive basketball league on the planet.

Olympiacos, ASVEL demonstrated why every EuroLeague game matters

Tuesday’s clash between [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2024-25) and [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/roster/asv/?season=2024-25) could serve as the perfect example why every game matters in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. 

On one side was an Olympiacos team coming into the duel on the back of three straight victories against powerhouses Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens. On the other was an ASVEL side missing leader [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) and the league’s top rebounder, [Neal Sako](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/neal-sako/010545/) (8.5 rpg). The visitors sat second bottom in the standings (2-6), having gone on a four-game losing streak coming into the game in Piraeus.

Yet, it was the guests that hit the ground running at Peace and Friendship Stadium and forced Olympiacos to trail for the majority of the game. [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) opened the scoring in transition and [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) made it 4-2, but a triple from [David Lighty ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/david-lighty/003526/)gave ASVEL a lead that it maintained until there was just 2:24 left on the clock in the closing quarter. 

That's when [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) drilled one from deep to put Olympiacos ahead, 87-86, and the hosts never looked back, clinching the victory despite an extraordinary performance by [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/), who netted a career-high 31 points.

“Exactly this game shows us that if you come into the game relaxed and not focused anybody can beat you,” [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/), who paired his 13 points and 7 rebounds for a team-high PIR of 26, told EuroLeague TV. “This is why the EuroLeague is so strong. We have to change our mindset for the next game if we want to be a winning team.”

Olympiacos Piraeus center Nikola Milutinov spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Round 9 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Nikola Milutinov: 'This is why the EuroLeague is so strong'

ASVEL netted 92 points against an Olympiacos side that boasted the fifth-stingiest defense (78.1 points conceded per game) in the competition coming into Tuesday’s clash. More importantly, though, the French team demonstrated that EuroLeague games are there to be won on the court, regardless of the status or the streak of a team.

“Our mindset today was problematic,” head coach Georgios Bartzokas admitted after the game. “We thought that, without giving our best effort defensively or offensively, we can win this game. We thought probably that Villeurbanne is not as strong as the previous teams that we played. But it’s not like that. EuroLeague is immediately giving you the reality in front of you.”

As Bartzokas stressed before the game, all wins are important in the competition regardless of the opponent. “A win is a win in the EuroLeague and, it’s equally important whether you beat Real or Panathinaikos, or ASVEL on your home court,” he stressed. “To me, the importance of tomorrow’s game is the same and maybe more."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final score 🔴⚪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/b3UEHRwUJA">pic.twitter.com/b3UEHRwUJA</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1856442687177519605?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

ASVEL demonstrated on the court that it has what it takes to look in the eye of EuroLeague powerhouses. Meanwhile, Olympiacos avoided what would have been its first home loss of the season. Instead, the Greek side extended its winning streak to four with a victory that could prove to be more important than the ones against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Panathinaikos.

“Those nights will help us and it’s better when you win and see the lesson that you have to take,” Vezenkov noted.

After starting off the double-round week on a positive note, Olympiacos will look to learn its lesson and push to end the week in style away at Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. As for ASVEL, it will try to build on this road performance and snap its five-game losing streak with a potential home victory over Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade on Thursday.

Olympiacos came out on top, but it was a great effort by the French side

In Panathinaikos BC's Round 9 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv BC, Cedi Osman enjoyed his best performance so far for the Greens.

Cedi Osman was the unsung hero for Panathinaikos as the usual suspects shined again

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) clawed out [a 93-87 home win over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-finds-another-gear-to-subdue-maccabi-93-87/) thanks to a huge fourth-quarter comeback masterminded by perennial top performers [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) and [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), but it was also facilitated by a flawless supporting cast.

Most of all, forward [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/) stood out as he scored 10 of his 12 points in the final 10 minutes, including a pair of clutch three-pointers which helped the reigning champ erase a 60-71 deficit and bounce back from last week’s tough home loss to traditional rival Olympiacos Piraeus in the Greek derby.

It was Osman’s most telling contribution since he joined Panathinaikos during the offseason after a seven-year stint in the NBA, as he apparently needed some time to adapt to the European game. His clutch effort drew praise from head coach and Turkish compatriot Ergin Ataman, who also singled out Lessort.

“We improved our aggressiveness on defense 100 percent in the last 15 minutes,” Ataman said in his post-game comments. “We also upped the tempo because Maccabi play very good basketball 5 on 5, but we found some fast-break points and got the crowd involved. Cedi Osman made a huge impact for the first time this season and Lessort played much better in the second half. A very important win in a game where we didn’t play well for 25 minutes.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">😤😤😤 <a href="https://t.co/0A3HYV8hbf">https://t.co/0A3HYV8hbf</a></p>&mdash; Cedi Osman (@cediosman) <a href="https://twitter.com/cediosman/status/1856457843433726387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With Panathinaikos struggling from long range for much of the contest, Nunn was also pivotal as he too netted 10 of his team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter, having made 8 of 13 shots from the floor and 3 of 3 from the foul line.

Nunn, who also had 4 assists, was humble in victory after claiming the player of the game award. “Credit to my teammates for getting it done,” he said in a courtside interview. “Maccabi had the momentum and the lead but then in the fourth quarter we got some stops and the victory. Everybody is confident in what they are doing and the offense comes from getting those stops.”

Lessort did his thing in crunch time, racking up defensive rebounds and doing offensive damage in the paint to finish on 18 points and 6 boards, while Juancho Hernangomez also emerged as a trump card up Ataman’s sleeve. The Spanish big man netted 10 of his 12 points in the second half, including a huge triple which game Panathinaikos a decisive 89-82 lead in the closing stages.

It was another tough loss for Maccabi and its head coach Oded Kattash, the fifth in the last six games, but the former guard who played for both clubs and also coached Panathinaikos during his illustrious career, had no complaints about his team’s effort.

“The players are exhausted but I like the way we performed and fought,” he said. “We were there and I am proud of the way we played. We played the right way and put ourselves in a position to win the game, but it’s not the first time we ran out of energy in the second half.”

The schedule will not get any easier for Maccabi as it hosts Olympiacos in Round 10 while Panathinaikos visits Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

The Turkish forward finally impressed his compatriot and head coach Ergin Ataman after stepping up in the fourth quarter of a thrilling contest with Maccabi 

Cedi Osman was the unsung hero for Panathinaikos in win over Maccabi

Markus Howard was held 0 for 4 from the floor as Anadolu Efes grabbed an important 84-89 win at Baskonia on Tuesday night.

Mijatovic praises his Efes players for keeping Howard scoreless

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) came into the important Round 9 game against [Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/roster/bas/) with a game plan of slowing down the Spanish side’s scoring ace [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/). Efes head coach Tomislav Mijatovic didn’t think his team would do the nearly impossible - but it did: holding Howard scoreless.

Baskonia’s marksman missed all 4 of his three-point attempts and failed to score in [Efes’s 84-89 road victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/efes-gets-crucial-road-win-hands-baskonia-first-home-loss/) in a battle of teams on either side of the line for the final play-in spot. Howard, who entered the game averaging 12.8 points, did dish out 3 assists, but he did not score.

“We all know he is a great scorer and great player. Collectively we kept him to zero points. This is not a reality. This doesn’t happen,” Mijatovic told the post-game press conference.

It was just the second time in 81 games that the American failed to score a point. The other game came in Round 26 of the 2022-23 season in 7:26 minutes against Valencia. 

Howard had made at least 1 three-pointer in 20 straight and 43 of his last 44 games and he was the league leader in three-pointers made with 2.8 per game. And Howard came into the game after an amazing performance over the weekend, hitting 8 three-pointers in scoring 38 points in a 100-99 win over Lleida in the Spanish League. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">👊 One more! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhereIStand?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhereIStand</a> <a href="https://t.co/8tf1GT7a1s">pic.twitter.com/8tf1GT7a1s</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1856456009784406153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“He scored 38 the other night and now he’s kept to zero. There are no machines here. We’re all humans,” the Efes coach said. “But at the same time, it is a team sport. Okay, he scored zero, but if you go down the line, Chima Moneke scored 22. Players of that caliber whenever they are on the court, they draw so much defensive attention on themselves that the other guy is gonna score a little bit more.”

Still, Mijatovic praised his players for sticking to the game plan.

“When he got into the game, our players really followed the principle. They were close, they were on him, they were challenging the shots. And they were making him take contested shots. When you play against a player with that kind of scoring capacity you have to do that, otherwise it is difficult to guard,” he said.

"Okay, he scored zero today, thank god he scored zero on us. But it’s still Markus Howard, one of the greatest shooters and scorers. He opened other players with his presence. But our guys, hats off, they did a super, super job focusing and guarding him like that. That was great.”

Preventing the Baskonia sniper from finding his range proved key in the win

Mijatovic praised his Efes players for keeping Howard scoreless

Filip Petrusev tied a career-high with 25 points scored and set a personal best with a PIR of 38 as Crvena Zvezda Belgrade held off Monaco 90-98. 

Filip Petrusev was at his best for Zvezda in Monaco 

Just four games into the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, Olympiacos Piraeus granted [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/) his wish and loaned him out to his former team, [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/). On Tuesday, Petrusev showed why he was eager to join a club where he could get more playing time as the Serbian big man produced the best game of his EuroLeague career in [a road win at AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zvezda-tops-monaco-on-the-road-90-98/).

Petrusev tied a career high with 25 points scored and set a personal best with a PIR of 38 as Zvezda held off Monaco 90-98. He had a great shooting night in making all 11 of his free throws, 4-of-6 two-pointers and 2-of-3 threes – with the missed triple being a forced shot with no time left on the shot clock. Petrusev also corralled 7 rebounds and added 1 assist and 1 steal.

To put Petrusev’s line in perspective, he had 20 points, 10 rebounds and a PIR of 7 in 43:28 minutes combined in his four games with Olympiacos.

Filip Petrusev was on at Monaco

Petrusev’s success should not surprise many. After all, he was tied for third on Serbia in PIR at the Olympic Games in Paris over the summer and was second in rebounds behind only NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. He came home from Paris with a bronze medal.

Despite failing to secure a key role with the Reds, Petrusev’s confidence was intact when he returned to Belgrade. Through four games with Zvezda, he has seen his minutes, points scored and PIR increase in every game thus far.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Special night for our #⃣3⃣0⃣ 🤩<br><br>⭐️ FILIP PETRUŠEV<br><br>📊 25 pts, 4/6 2FG, 2/3 3FG, 11/11 FT, 7 reb;<br>PIR 38<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/adidasPlayeroftheGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#adidasPlayeroftheGame</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> R9 <a href="https://t.co/Ph3WnI9Anz">pic.twitter.com/Ph3WnI9Anz</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1856432799311630727?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Against Monaco, Petrusev was a factor all night long. He scored 12 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in the first half and posted 13 and 4 in the second. He scored 8 points in the final 6 minutes, including 6 free throws to all but ice the game.

After this monster game in the principality, it is back to France for Petrusev on Thursday when he and Zvezda visit LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Rest assured, he is not overlooking that opponent: "We came here for two wins on this road trip and we have one more at ASVEL in two days, so we need to forget this game and focus on ASVEL tomorrow."

With Petrusev playing the way he did in Monaco, he and Zvezda can be a threat to every opponent as they seek their fourth road win of the campaign.

The big man tied his career best with 25 points scored