Paris Basketball defeated AS Monaco Basket 80-87 in Round 5 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season, with TJ Shorts delivering a player-of-the-game performance.

TJ Shorts inspires Paris to Rivalry Series win over Monaco, 80-87

Paris Basketball emerged victorious from the first-ever Turkish Airlines EuroLeague meeting between itself and AS Monaco on Thursday night, winning 80-87 on the road in this week’s dedicated Rivalry Series game. TJ Shorts was integral throughout, while late plays by Mikael Jantunen proved crucial. Tiago Splitter’s Paris have now won back-to-back games and improved to 2-3, while Sasa Obradovic’s Monaco lost for the first time at home this season and dropped to 3-2.

Shorts’ performance was near-perfect, with the EuroLeague rookie posting a 28-point, 10-rebound double-double, in addition to grabbing 4 rebounds. Those 28 points are a new personal best in his five-game EuroLeague career. All night long, he led Paris’ offense with ease and was a constant thorn in Monaco’s side. He was helped by Tyson Ward, who had 15 points, while Collin Malcolm scored 13 points and Jantunen chipped in with 10. Monaco had three players finish on 13 points: Elie Okobo, Mam Jaiteh and Mike James. Alpha Diallo was the hosts’ only other scorer in double figures, netting 11 points.

Game Videos

Shortly after receiving a warm reception on his first return to Monaco, where he played for seven seasons across three different spells, Yakuba Ouattara scored the game’s first basket to give Paris the lead. The side from the French capital would remain ahead until just past the halfway mark of the third quarter. Monaco simply had no answer for Paris’ pace in the first quarter, with Shorts running the show as the visitors opened a 2-14 advantage. Okobo started to lead Monaco’s fightback, with Monaco making it 15-16, but Paris had a 22-25 lead after the first quarter.

There was not much to separate the two teams in the second quarter, but Paris always found a way to remain in control, despite Monaco consistently punching back. If it was Okobo keeping Monaco close in the first period, it was James who came to the fore in the second. Yet, there was no slowing down Shorts, who had 19 points at halftime, and Paris’ forward duo of Ward and Malcolm made 5 first-half triples between them to frustrate the home supporters. At the interval, Paris led 43-49.

Game News

Shorts stayed red-hot after halftime, scoring a couple of mid-range jumpers to move to 23 points, thus setting a new career high. Jaiteh then started to cause plenty of problems for Paris inside, netting eight points in the quarter, including a floater which gave Monaco its first lead of the night with just under four minutes to go (57-56). He was aided by Okobo, who netted five points in the closing stages of the period to give Monaco a five-point edge, but scores by Shorts and Ouattara ensured it was 64-63 entering the final frame.

The first basket of the fourth quarter went the way of Kevarrius Hayes, who scored his first points of the night to put Paris back in front. However, a 9-4 start to the period saw Monaco regain control (73-67). Even if Monaco remained in front for the majority of the first seven minutes of the quarter, the Paris players refused to give up the ghost. Maodo Lo, making his first appearance since Round 2, knocked down a corner three and scored a layup to keep the visitors close, with Shorts going on to level the score at 77-77 with just over three minutes to go.

Jantunen, relatively quiet until then, stepped up with some crucial plays down the stretch, knocking down a three (77-80), blocking Jaiteh’s shot, and scoring an alley-oop (79-82) to keep Paris in the driving seat. Nadir Hifi got his first points with a timely layup (79-84), then Shorts silenced Salle Gaston Medecin with a mid-range jumper over the outstretched arm of Jaiteh (80-86). Jantunen came to the fore again in the final seconds, forcing an illegal screen by Loyd with 33 seconds to go before going 1 for 2 from the line to wrap up an 80-87 win.

Tiago Splitter's squad are showing that they belong along Europe's elite

AS Monaco v Paris Basketball (2024-10-24T17:00:00.000Z)

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

EuroLeague injury report: Round 5

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, Matt Thomas, Elias Rapieque and Trevion Williams are all ruled out for ALBA's Round 5 game at Baskonia on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

Delow and Samar have not featured since the start of the season due to injury.

As is the case for Thomas, who underwent knee surgery ahead of Round 2, the club announced.

Elias Rapieque has not played since Round 2.

### Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Efes has not yet sent an injury report for its Round 5 game at Milan on Thursday.

Dan Oturu and Justus Hollatz missed the team's Round 4 game last week.

### AS Monaco

Monaco has not yet sent an injury report for its Round 5 game vs. Paris on Thursday.

[Furkan Korkmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monaco-furkan-korkmaz-to-miss-3-4-weeks/) is not expected to play until late October/early November after an injury in Round 1.

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

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Baskonia has not yet sent an injury report for its Round 5 game vs. ALBA on Thursday.

Tadas Sedekerskis and Nikos Rogkavopoulos did not play in Round 4.

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

[Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/joel-bolomboy-hyperextends-knee-avoids-acl-tear/) is Crvena Zvezda's only absentee for its Round 5 game at Real Madrid on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

[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. He is out for 4-6 weeks.

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Ousmane Diop and [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/josh-nebo-olimpia-milano-to-be-reevaluated-in-two-weeks/) are ruled out of Milan's Round 5 game vs. Efes on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

Due to acute low back pain, Fabien Causeur will not be available tonight against Efes, the club announced on Twitter.

David McCormack was a late scratch due to a knee injury, the club announced on Twitter.

Diop sprained his right ankle in Round 4 and is set to be out for three to four weeks.

[Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/josh-nebo-olimpia-milano-to-be-reevaluated-in-two-weeks/) has been missing in action since Round 1 due to a groin injury.

### FC Barcelona

[Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nico-laprovittola-to-undergo-knee-surgery/) and [Joel Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/joel-parra-out-for-three-weeks-with-sprained-ankle/) are ruled out of Barcelona's Round 5 game at ASVEL on Friday, the club has confirmed.

[Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nico-laprovittola-to-undergo-knee-surgery/) is ruled out for the season as he prepares to undergo ACL and meniscus surgery after getting injured in a Spanish League game last weekend.

[Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/joel-parra-out-for-three-weeks-with-sprained-ankle/) is ruled out until late October due to a sprained right ankle.

### FC Bayern Munich

Bayern has the same roster it had in Round 4 heading into its Round 5 game vs. Olympiacos on Friday, the club has confirmed.

Bayern was without Vladimir Lucic (muscle bruise) in Rounds 3 and 4.

[Niels Giffey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/niels-giffey-suffers-dislocated-finger-out-for-weeks/) is out for 'the coming weeks' after undergoing surgery on a dislocated finger, the club confirmed on October 8.

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Marko Guduric, who missed both games last week, is available for Round 5 game vs. Panathinaikos on Friday, the club has confirmed.

Skylar Mays is registered ahead of Round 5 and is available to make his debut.

Sertac Sanli is out with an injury.

[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 5 game at Barcelona on Friday.

Paris Lee sprained his ankle in a French League game over the weekend. He will not play in Round 5.

Tarik Black did not play in Round 4.

Melvin Ajinca has not played through the first four rounds of the season.

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

[Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tamir-blatt-sidelined-with-hamstring-tear/) and [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-loses-rokas-jokubaitis-to-a-broken-thumb/) are ruled out of Maccabi's Round 5 game at Zalgiris on Thursday, the club has confirmed. Wenyen Gabriel, who has not played this season, is not expected to feature as he recovers from a knee injury.

[Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tamir-blatt-sidelined-with-hamstring-tear/) is out until mid-November after suffering a hamstring injury in a domestic league game over the weekend.

[Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-loses-rokas-jokubaitis-to-a-broken-thumb/) is set to be out until early November with a broken thumb.

### Olympiacos Piraeus

Nigel Williams-Goss and [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-star-keenan-evans-out-long-term-after-knee-surgery/) are ruled out for Olympiacos' Round 5 game at Bayern on Friday, the club has confirmed.

Nikola Milutinov, who missed the first four rounds of the season, played in the Greek League on Monday night and is available in Round 5.

Williams-Goss (injury) did not play in Round 4.

Evans remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery.

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

Ioannis Papapetrou and Konstantinos Mitoglou (gastroenteritis) will not travel to Istanbul for Panathinaikos' Round 5 game against Fenerbahce, the club has confirmed.

Dimitris Moraitis is not available (shoulder problem).

Marius Grigonis, who was questionable after suffering a muscle spasm in his lower back during Thursday's practice, did not make Panathinaikos' game-day roster in Round 5.

Kostas Antetokounmpo (right thumb fracture) has not played through the first four rounds of the season.

### Paris Basketball

Paris has not yet sent an injury report for its Round 5 game at Monaco on Thursday.

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

Leon Kratzer missed Round 3 and 4 games because of the birth of his child.

Maodo Lo didn't play in Rounds 3 and 4 because he has a foot injury. His status is uncertain.

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Partizan has all of its players available for its Round 5 game vs. Virtus on Wednesday, the club has confirmed.

### Real Madrid

Real Madrid has not yet sent an injury report for its Round 5 game vs. Crvena Zvezda on Thursday.

Dzanan Musa has left a domestic league game last weekend with an injury and did not return. He did train with his teammates on Wednesday, however.

[Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/andres-feliz-to-miss-time-with-plantar-fascia-injury/) is set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a plantar fascia injury.

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Alessandro Pajola and Devontae Cacok are ruled out for Virtus' Round 5 game at Partizan on Wednesday, the club has confirmed.

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

### Zalgiris Kaunas

Zalgiris has all of its players available for its Round 5 game vs. Maccabi on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

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

Injury report, Round 5: Panathinaikos duo out for Fenerbahce trip

FC Bayern Munich v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-10-25T18:45:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-10-25T18:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-10-25T17:45:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-10-24T18:45:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v ALBA Berlin (2024-10-24T18:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-10-24T18:30:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-10-24T17:00:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-10-23T18:30:00.000Z)

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 5 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Pre-game quotes hub: EuroLeague Round 5

We are already four rounds into the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, with Round 5 seeing one game on Wednesday, five on Thursday and three on Friday. Ahead of Round 5, we bring you the pre-game quotes from all the teams in one place. This page will be updated with the thoughts of the players and head coaches of all 18 teams competing in the EuroLeague.

## Wednesday, October 23

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (20:30 CEST)

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

"Black and white ones come to us from Bologna. They still don't have a win, but that's exactly what is the biggest danger of tomorrow's game. For that very reason, he will go out on the field with great motivation. Virtus is an outstanding team that is covered in all positions. They have an established system from last year with clear ideas. We watched the video and prepared for the game. As always when it comes to the EuroLeague, we will have to give our maximum in terms of concentration and desire and what adorns our team, which is maximum engagement from the first to the last minute."

**Sterling Brown, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard**

"It's gonna be a fight. They'll come here hungry and they have something to prove and they gotta get the first win. It is an away game for them, we gotta come out and do what we do and execute on both sides of the court. We have to play hard and come out to win."

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

"The game against Partizan will have to be approached with physical and mental toughness, in order to contain an opponent that, especially in home games, knows how to exalt its own characteristics that to date make it the best team in the league in terms of scoring percentages from the arc. Ball handling, rebounds control and a collective spirit of sacrifice will be the keys to put an opponent in trouble that is back from two convincing wins in the previous week of the EuroLeague."

**Matt Morgan, Virtus Segafredo Bologna guard**

“We have to play hard for 40 minutes trying to get our first win. We have to do everything we can and control what we can control. They have a great home crowd, but we have to stay focused on ourselves. If we play together, smart and as a team, I don't think the crowd will be a problem."

## Thursday, October 24

### Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (19:00 CEST)

**Andrea Trinchieri, Zalgiris Kaunas head coach**

"I expect an extremely difficult game. Maccabi is playing very well, despite all the situation they have to face with injuries, but every team has got injuries. They are playing with great aggressiveness and athleticism. It is a game where our system will be stressed. We need to play a very solid game for 40 minutes, trying to be smart and efficient. After three road games, we come back home and I hope we are going to have a lot of push from our fans, playing at home."

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

"We are trying to do the maximum possible. We will not have many guards and Saben \[Lee\], who was not with us all week, will have to take a major role. We hope that we will practice at night, and we will do our best against a good team that started the season well. We will have to stick to the main things to stay in the picture, to close the rebound against the best rebounding team in the EuroLeague so far and to use team defense against their guards. We will play in lineups we are not used to and try to use it to our advantage. Perhaps it will be slower compared to what our fans are used to seeing. We may have to slow down the game more. There is no doubt that it is not ideal, and we will have to be creative. Hopefully things will work out for us."

**Jake Cohen, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv forward**

"We have a tough game tomorrow. Zalgiris had an amazing win last week that will give them a lot of confidence, and we will need to put our best effort forward to get the win in a challenging environment."

### AS Monaco vs. Paris Basketball (19:00 CEST)

\--

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. ALBA Berlin (20:30 CEST)

**Israel Gonzalez, ALBA Berlin head coach**

"It's still early in the season – all the teams are still trying to find their rhythm. I've obviously known Pablo Laso for a long time, but Baskonia's results last week also make it difficult to make predictions at this stage. We're focusing primarily on ourselves and want to improve further in the game against Baskonia."

**Martin Hermannsson, ALBA Berlin guard**

“Beating Baskonia at home is difficult. Pablo Laso is one of the best coaches in EuroLeague history. He has a very talented team that has gained confidence in the last weeks. For example, Baskonia beat Real Madrid in the EuroLeague, which underlines their home strength. But they also performed well in the Spanish League and won away at FC Barcelona. It will be tough, but I'm convinced that we have a chance of winning if we play with confidence and leave everything out on the court.”

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:30 CEST)

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

"Efes is a team with great offensive talent and experience, with many players who have been together for years – first with Coach Ataman and now with Coach Mijatovic, who is working on that same path. For us, it is a game to be approached calmly. We will have to build the game possession after possession with defensive attention and the search for the best possible shot on offense. To achieve this we will all have to play with calm and focus, especially during the most complicate stretch."

**Zach LeDay, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan forward**

"The fan base's support, especially during the home games, is crucial. It is up to us to involve our fans with our energy. We have to do it tomorrow against Efes because I know that when we are able to do that, our people are great at helping us overcome the bad moments. For us this is important because we have a lot of young players and it is the job of the more experienced players like myself to help them."

### Real Madrid vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:45 CEST)

**Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach**

"Crvena Zvezda is at the top of the standings on its own merits, because it has competed very well in these first few rounds and has been a very difficult team to beat. They have very good players, a very good coach, a physical team that defends very well and has points, so tomorrow we expect a very demanding game."

**Eli Ndiaye, Real Madrid center**

“I think it's good for us to play at home with the support of our fans to try to keep on winning. We will try to follow the path we followed last week when we face a very tough and very physical team like Red Star, which has also started the season very well. I think they are in good form, they have good players and it will be a tough test for us. If we want to achieve our goal of winning, we have to be ready to overcome the difficult moments that will come during the game and give our best."

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

"It is always difficult to play in Madrid, but on the other hand we will organize our game. We know what we have to do. The most important thing is to fight for every possession, for every ball. Tactically, we will follow what we practiced on both ends of the court."

**Rokas Gedraitis, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade forward**

"Real is an extremely difficult opponent. We have to play good basketball in defense, above all. They have size, quality players; it will be difficult, but we have a chance. Everything has to start from the team defense, we know how good they are. I would say they have a good rotation, a very, very good team."

## Friday, October 25

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (19:45 CEST)

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

"A very difficult game. Obviously, Panathinaikos presents a problem with a lot of talent. They have the same team. They are gonna be very motivated after a couple of losses. This is what we need to do; learn from mistakes we committed in the semifinals in Berlin, continue getting better and integrate new players."

**Wade Baldwin, Fenerbahcee Beko Istanbul guard**

"We are playing against the \[reigning\] champions. We lost our last EuroLeague home game. It’s important that we come out with the right energy, right focus and get a win. We are in a good position right now, and we need to continue our trend forward."

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

"Fenerbahce has showed great performances so far in the beginning of the season, they only lost against Crvena Zvezda. It will be a tough game, we have some problems with forwards, some important players who have a health problem now, but that's the reason we have a long roster and we go there to win the game. Sloukas is an experienced player and I believe day by day he will reach his real performances because, for me, he is the best point guard in the EuroLeague, and he showed that in the Final Four."

**Cedi Osman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens forward**

"It's gonna be a fun game. We really do respect them a lot, they are a really good team. They will definitely come out strong. We need to be patient, we are playing away, we have to be mentally strong. I believe that if we do these things, we will be able to win."

### FC Barcelona vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:30 CEST)

**Joan Penarroya, FC Barcelona head coach**

"We have to focus on tomorrow's game. I know it is very obvious and what the coach has to say, but the competition is very tough and it is showing that if you are not very focused on the game ahead of you, it will be difficult to get a win. We are playing against a team that is doing things right, with outstanding physicality and players that attack the rim, with the experience of a player like Nando De Colo. They are playing well in the EuroLeague and in their national league, and it will give us a lot of trouble. Thinking on what's next after this game does not do any good to us, going on a tour to play three road games. I don't think that the game against ASVEL will be less complicated than the next three. We are focused on ASVEL, and above all, on us trying to do things right."

**Juan Nunez, FC Barcelona guard**

"I am feeling good but am adjusting. I am in that process. I think that it was hard for me in the beginning, playing in a different place, in a different league and a very demanding competition but little by little, I am adjusting and, I think, in the right way. I am happy and looking forward to keep playing and keep winning games. We have a tough schedule in the upcoming 10 days, but we have to be together. We are still a good team with high-quality players. We have to be together and look to win the next four games. Theo Maledon is playing very well, and it is good to see young players playing at a high level in the EuroLeague. Nando De Colo is a great player. It is always cool to watch great players in action, and I always liked to watch him since he was with CSKA. It will be great to play against him."

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:45 CEST)

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

"Olympiacos is a powerhouse in the EuroLeague every year. For us, it will be crucial to secure defensive and offensive rebounds to create easy scoring opportunities. In the half-court, we need to be careful with the ball. I don't know if they are the best opponent we've faced so far. But every EuroLeague game is tough and a battle; we have to come out and win those duels and fight."

**Carsen Edwards, FC Bayern Munich guard**

"Playing against Olympiacos will be tough; they are so talented. We need to show our best game and focus as much as possible on the things we’ve planned. But we’re playing at home, and we want to take advantage of that, play hard, and limit our mistakes."

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach**

"Bayern is a team that average scores more than 100 points in its home court. If we want to have a chance, we must control the pace, we must have patience on offense, take the right decisions and do not allow them to go into a run and gun game. In my opinion, these will be the key factors of the game. As far as it concerns our game, we must improve our defense and go harder on rebounds. We work on that. The good thing is that Milutinov is back in action. Still, we will miss Goss. He practiced today with the team, and he did travel to Munich, but he is not ready for tomorrow's game."

**Moustapha Fall, Olympiacos Piraeus center**

"Bayern is a very good team. They have good players in every position. In order to get the win, we have to make the right decisions on offense and go back to defense quickly, because if we don’t do that, they will punish us. In the previous game against Anadolu Efes we made the mistake to put them back into the game. It is forbidden to do the same mistake against Bayern. We must control the game from the start to finish."

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 5 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season

Pre-game quotes hub: 'Saben Lee will have to take a major role'

AS Monaco Basket and Paris Basketball go head to head on Thursday night in the first-ever EuroLeague meeting between these two sides.

Monaco-Paris rivalry puts French hoops in the spotlight

French basketball has been on the rise. 

One example of that came this past summer as the French national team won the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Paris. Over the last decade, there has only been one season without a Frenchman on the All-EuroLeague team. 

[Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), a EuroLeague First Team selection in each of the last two seasons, helped Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens capture the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown in May. 

Even across the Atlantic, Wemby-mania has taken hold, with fans and analysts alike gushing over the exploits of former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague prospect [Victor Wembanyama](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/victor-wembanyama/009553/). 

And on Thursday night, French basketball will again be in the spotlight when AS Monaco hosts Paris Basketball in Round 5's Rivalry Series game. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A first EVER meeting between these two clubs in the EuroLeague takes place tomorrow 🍿 <br><br>And the hype for the latest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RivalrySeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RivalrySeries</a> clash is REAL 📈<a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> host <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Parisbasketball</a> tomorrow, are you ready? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/epxNKCPaDS">pic.twitter.com/epxNKCPaDS</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1849084051539251358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This is the first time these teams will have met on the international stage, but make no mistake. They know each other well.

Back in June, Monaco ousted Paris 3-1 in the French League Finals and no fewer than 21 players from the teams’ current rosters were with the teams for that series, including one – Paris guard [Yakuba Ouattara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yakuba-ouattara/004197/) – who joined the club over the summer from Monaco, where he spent parts of seven seasons.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Le retour de Yakuba Ouattara à Monaco demain en EuroLeague pour ce match comptant dans la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RivalrySeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RivalrySeries</a> 👀🔜 <a href="https://t.co/az7rvMRheM">pic.twitter.com/az7rvMRheM</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1849103875015360964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When it comes to the big stage, Monaco clearly has the upper hand. This is the club’s fourth season in Europe’s premier competition and it has made the playoffs in all of them, including reaching the Final Four in 2023. Before Monaco made itself a EuroLeague contender, it put the basketball world on notice by winning the EuroCup in 2021.

Paris, whose climb to the top is documented in the Euroleague Basketball Originals production 'The Making of a EuroLeague Team', followed in Monaco’s footsteps by winning the EuroCup last season to reach the EuroLeague for the first time.

How Paris Basketball Became a EuroLeague Team: The Complete Story | EuroLeague Documentary Series E1

The similarities between the teams do not end there. Both teams are led by dynamic guards, who were MVPs last season.

Monaco’s [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), the EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer, was the EuroLeague MVP, while Paris’ [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) took home the MVP trophies for the EuroCup, EuroCup Finals and French League.

In their showdowns in the French League Finals, James had the upper hand with averages of 20.5 points and 3.3 assists and backcourt mate [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/) posted 18.3 points and 4.5 assists per game.

That duo continues to lead Monaco this season with Okobo contributing 16.0 points and 5.0 assists and James, who missed the preseason after undergoing back surgery, going for 15.7 points, 4.0 assists and 2.3 steals over the last three games.

Paris’ rising star [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) led Paris in scoring with 17.0 points per game in the playoffs, and Shorts was no slouch with 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.

They remain Paris’s go-to guys in the EuroLeague, with Shorts fourth in the league in scoring with 17.8 points per game and third with 7.0 assists per game. Hifi has contributed 14.2 points per game off the bench.

Although these teams are by no means two-man shows, it is fair to expect the performances of these backcourt stars to play key roles in this game’s outcome.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🎬 Le remake des <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinalesBetclicELITE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FinalesBetclicELITE</a> sur la scène de l&#39;<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a>, la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> reçoit <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> à Monaco ! 👑🇲🇨<br><br>⏰️ 𝑫𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒆̀𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒔 👇<br>🎟 <a href="https://t.co/7R1YN87BCw">https://t.co/7R1YN87BCw</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DagheMunegu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DagheMunegu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/qcDtr7J9bH">pic.twitter.com/qcDtr7J9bH</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1849136698124325069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Monaco is unbeaten at home thus far this season and its three wins at Salle Gaston Medecin over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Virtus Segafredo Bologna have come by an average margin of victory of 11.7 points. 

Paris has yet to win a EuroLeague game on the road, though it pushed FC Bayern Munich to the limit before falling 109-107 last week.

Will Paris be able to get its first road win on the floor of its chief domestic rival? If so, it will go a long way toward taking this rivalry to the next level. Or will Monaco hold court to remain the king of French League clubs? We will learn the answer in this week’s EuroLeague Rivalry Series game.

Last season’s French League finalists meet on Thursday for the first time in the EuroLeague

Sylvain Francisco is enjoying a wonderful start to the 2024-25 EuroLeague season with Zalgiris Kaunas, and his experiences with Vassilis Spanoulis are certainly paying dividends.

Sylvain Francisco using Spanoulis’ Mamba Mentality to star for Zalgiris

The late, great Kobe Bryant summarized his famous “Mamba Mentality” as “constantly try to be the best version of yourself.” That “hard work outweighs talent.” It’s not just a philosophy but a way of living, followed by thousands of athletes – and not only basketball players – across the globe.

This attitude is also what’s driving [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/carousels/zalgiris-kaunas/?q=%7B%22articleId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22categoryId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22linkedId%22%3A%7B%22sourceSystem%22%3A%22FS_BASKETBALL_TEAM%22%2C%22sourceSystemId%22%3A%22zal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D&carouselTitle=Zalgiris%20Kaunas) guard and certified Kobe mega-fan [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/). Tireless grind against all odds.

“I'm really happy for Sylvain. He's not coming from a rich family. So what he got, he worked hard to get it,” said Jean-Denys Choulet, Francisco’s former coach at Roanne in 2020-21.

Francisco’s hard work has been paying off with a gradual upward curve over the last couple of years. After debuting in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague last season with FC Bayern Munich, the 27-year-old player is now emerging as the main man for Zalgiris, leading his team in points (15.0) and assists (5.8).

Read more of this article [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1732491/sylvain-francisco-using-spanoulis-mamba-mentality-to-star-for-zalgiris/).

The Zalgiris star has started the 2024-25 season on fire

Will Clyburn enjoyed a rare win at Belgrade Arena on Wednesday night, playing a key role as Virtus Bologna got its first win of the EuroLeague season at KK Partizan.

Will Clyburn instrumental as Virtus gets the monkey off its back

In a thriller, [Virtus Segafredo Bologna edged Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 69-70](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/virtus-gets-off-the-mark-with-hard-fought-win-at-partizan-69-70/) on Tuesday night to secure its second win in as many years at Belgrade Arena, with two-time All-EuroLeague forward [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) leaving his fingerprints on the contest. 

With Virtus' win, all 18 teams competing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season have at least one victory to their name. Since last week, there are no undefeated teams left in the competition. Virtus used defense to keep its chances open in the fourth quarter, limiting Partizan to just 8 points in the final 10 minutes. When it was time to deliver, Clyburn was ready.

He had the most crucial baskets of the game in the final two minutes. [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/) hit a three-pointer to give Partizan a 68-66 edge, then Virtus put the ball in the hands of Clyburn, who missed a step-back three-pointer. [Matt Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-morgan/012585/) grabbed the offensive rebound and found Clyburn all alone under the basket for a layup. Lundberg split free throws at the other end and Partizan got the ball back. [Rayjon Tucker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rayjon-tucker/012591/) collected the all-important steal before Clyburn got the ball and silenced the home crowd with a go-ahead driving layup, which ended up being the final basket of the game.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WE DID IT, AGAIN. 🤍🖤 <a href="https://t.co/pQKZJWercx">pic.twitter.com/pQKZJWercx</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1849187591049884006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Clyburn finished the contest with 27 points on 9-of-12 two-pointers, scoring 13 of those in the final 15 minutes. At the end of the game, Clyburn said something that made us double-check what he said.

"I am just happy we got the win. I am pretty sure I have been winless in this building against Partizan, so I am just happy we got the win," Clyburn told EuroLeague TV in a courtside interview. "That's all that matters, we got the win today.

"We were fighting. Obviously there are going to be ups and downs in the game, but it was no point in the game where I felt we were out of it today. Everybody was locked in defensively and it was only a matter of time before we made shots and get back in the game."

Will Clyburn of Virtus Segafredo Bologna had 27 points to lead his team to a 69-70 road win over Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 5 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Clyburn leads Virtus past Partizan

Indeed, Clyburn had not enjoyed great results at Belgrade Arena. He played his first-ever EuroLeague game with Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul against Crvena Zvezda MeridianBet Belgrade in the Serbian capital, registering a 70-73 win and scoring 19 points, but the game was played at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. During his two years at Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Clyburn twice played against Partizan at Belgrade Arena, losing both games.

It gets worse. Clyburn also lost twice at Belgrade Arena at the 2018 Final Four with CSKA Moscow; first against Real Madrid in the semifinals, then again Zalgiris Kaunas in the third-place game. Until tonight, Clyburn was 1-5 in the building. His only victory came with CSKA against Zvezda, 59-85, on November 15, 2017, almost seven years ago.

Clyburn was not the only key contributor for Virtus on Wednesday night as [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) finished the game with 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds, recording his first EuroLeague double-double in his 55th game in the competition. Cordinier thinks that playing in front of a such strong atmosphere helped the team get the focus it needed to finally get that elusive first victory.

"First win of the season in the EuroLeague. Coming in, in this special atmosphere, maybe it was the type of game we needed to find ourselves," Cordinier said. "And today we fought until the end. We had a great effort on defense, rebounding the ball and thanks to Will \[Clyburn\], who scored these big buckets to get the lead down the stretch.

"I want to enjoy the first win of the season. We went through a lot of struggle and kept building, trying to find our chemistry, our identity. And tonight, we found something we can work on and build on for the future."

Cordinier talked about rebounding at the end of the game, and that definitely was one of the keys to his team's win. Virtus outrebounded Partizan 28-34, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds and only allowing the hosts to grab 18 defensive boards. In other words, 45.5% of all rebounds under Partizan's rim went the other way. Virtus grabbed 65.5% of all rebounds under its rim, 19 out of 29.

Virtus is not leaving Italy during the next three rounds as it hosts FC Bayern Munich in Round 6, visits EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Round 7 and plays at home again against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Round 8. It should be a good test for Virtus, which started the 2023-24 campaign with a 5-1 record but is 1-4 so far this season. At least it got the monkey off its back and notched its first win in Round 5.

The Italian side got its first win of the season in Round 5

Virtus Bologna registered its first win of the EuroLeague season by edging KK Partizan 69-70 in the Serbian capital on Tuesday. 


Virtus gets off the mark with hard-fought win at Partizan, 69-70

Virtus Segafredo Bologna registered its first win of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season by edging Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 69-70 in the Serbian capital on Tuesday. 

Virtus improved to 1-4 in the standings, while Partizan dropped to 2-3. Will Clyburn paced the winners with 27 points, scoring the go-ahead layup with 12.5 seconds remaining. Isaia Cordinier added 12 and 10 rebounds, and Matt Morgan had 10 points for Virtus. Tyrique Jones led Partizan with 20 points and 5 steals. Iffe Lundberg added 14 points and Vanja Marinkovic had 10 for the hosts.

Sterling Brown got Partizan going with a layup and a three-point play, then Lundberg added a jumper for a 7-1 lead. Ante Zizic stepped up with a put-back slam, which Clyburn followed with a layup high off the backboard that brought Virtus within 7-5. Brandon Davies scored around the basket and Marinkovic followed a layup with a fast-break basket that made the guests call a timeout at 13-5. Tyrique Jones soon added a three-point play for a 16-7 score. Clyburn struck from downtown and followed Morgan's triple with a jump hook to bring Virtus within 16-15. Tyrique Jones single-handedly restored a 20-15 Partizan lead after 10 minutes.

Aleksej Pokusevski struck from beyond the arc early in the second quarter. Rayjon Tucker buried an off-balance shot and soon added a jumper to bring Virtus within 23-19. Carlik Jones sank a mid-range jumper that a red-hot Tucker erased with a two-handed slam. Clyburn beat the shot clock with a wild turnaround jumper and Toko Shengelia added a driving layup that tied it at 25-25. Tyrique Jones took over with a huge dunk and Brown bettered Morgan's layup with a three-pointer. Clyburn scored around the rim, then Isaac Bonga and Lundberg restored a 34-29 Partizan margin. Clyburn and Lundberg traded three-pointers to fix the halftime score at 37-32.

Lundberg and Cordinier exchanged three-point plays soon after the break. Cordinier kept pacing Virtus with a jumper and the free throw that came with it. Marinkovic hit a corner three-pointer and an outstanding Tyrique Jones restored a 47-41 Partizan lead. Momo Diouf scored down low, Marinkovic insisted from downtown and Tyrique Jones's put-back basket made Virtus call a timeout at 52-43. Clyburn buried a triple that Jones improved with consecutive dunks. Clyburn scored around the basket and followed Cordinier's layup with a dunk off a steal for a 56-55 Virtus deficit. Bonga rescued Partizan with a put-back layup and got help from Carlik Jones and Tyrique Jones to give the hosts a 61-57 edge after 30 minutes.

Morgan was the first player to score in the fourth quarter. Brandon Davis hit a jumper and Zizic got Virtus as close as 63-61. Carlik Jones ignited the crowd with a driving layup that Shengelia improved on that with a three-pointer. Cordinier made free throws to complete Virtus's comeback, 65-66, with 3:41 left. Lundberg buried a critical three-pointer in the penultimate minute, good for a 68-66 Partizan lead. Clyburn scored around the basket, then Lundberg split foul shots for a 69-68 Partizan lead. Both teams exchanged turnovers and Clyburn scored in penetration, putting Virtus ahead, 69-70, with 12.5 seconds left. It all came down to the final second, which saw Frank Ntilikina airball a three-point shot at the buzzer.

Euroleague.net's team of experts – Javier Gancedo, Geoff Gillingham, Frankie Sachs and Igor Petrinovic – have made their bold predictions for Round 5 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Bold predictions, Round 5: Four road triumphs on the cards

Four rounds are already in the books, so now it is time for Round 5 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, which features one game on Wednesday, five on Thursday and three on Friday.

In the lead-up to Round 5, the [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) experts have each come up with one bold prediction.

### Virtus to shock Partizan, grab its first win

### *by Geoff Gillingham*

Want to hear something crazy? Last week [I predicted that Virtus Segafredo Bologna would go 2-0](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/bold-predictions-rounds-3-4-how-many-surprises-will-we-see/) and improve to a 2-2 record overall. That didn’t go to plan, but I am going to double down on the 0-4 Virtus and predict that Luca Banchi’s men get their first win of the season on the road at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on Wednesday night. Virtus is without guard Alessandro Pajola for this clash, but I believe we will see big performances from [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/), [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) and [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/). I also think first-year guard [Matt Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-morgan/012585/) and rookie center [Momo Diouf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mouhamet-diouf/013374/) have what it takes to stun the home supporters. Virtus did beat Partizan at Belgrade Arena back in Round 17 last year, and I predict another surprise is on the cards.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Game day in Belgrade ⚖️ <a href="https://t.co/zWctkxIUQ8">pic.twitter.com/zWctkxIUQ8</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1849047911809618354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Saben Lee to lead injury-plagued Maccabi past Zalgiris

### *by Javier Gancedo*

Things are not looking good for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv this week. [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/) and [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/), its two playmakers, are injured, [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/) is also out, plus [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) left the team to join AS Monaco. Maccabi, however, signed [Saben Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saben-lee/013389/) and I expect him to inspire his team to a road win against Zalgiris Kaunas. Zalgiris had a strong start but Maccabi has favorable one-on-one matchups in this game, particularly [Jalen Hoard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jaylen-hoard/profile/006835/) at small forward and [Jasiel Rivero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jasiel-rivero/011214/) at center. Above all, Lee has only shown us hints of the great player he is. This is already his third game in the competition and Lee should be ready to unlock his full potential. Due to all that, I will say that Lee scores at least 20 points and Maccabi wins at Zalgirio Arena.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On our way to Kaunas <a href="https://t.co/Vq6bxByjeO">pic.twitter.com/Vq6bxByjeO</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1849087157186502674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Paris makes a road statement

### *by Igor Petrinovic*

Paris Basketball has quickly proved it belongs and is ready to compete in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Each of the team's first four games in its debut campaign have been decided by five points or fewer, and I expect more drama in the French League derby in Monaco on Thursday. This Rivalry Series clash will also feature last year's EuroLeague MVP and the league's all-time leading scorer, [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), against last year's EuroCup MVP, Paris playmaker [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/), who is averaging 17.8 points after his first four EuroLeague games. Monaco is the favorite against its French League rival for many reasons, but I think Paris and Shorts will make another statement. After edging the reigning EuroLeague champs last week, the club from the French capital will shock Monaco and register the club's first EuroLeague road win.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Le premier choc 🇫🇷 de la saison en <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> ! <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> : ON ARRIVE 👀 <a href="https://t.co/AMJAByPPPL">pic.twitter.com/AMJAByPPPL</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1849029370398068969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### It's time to believe in ASVEL

### *by Frankie Sachs* 

Do you believe in LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne? Because if you do, now is the time to say so. To date, the season has been just okay. Two wins at home against teams that made the playoffs or the Play-In Showdown last season... And two losses on the road. But we can learn more about teams through the first four rounds than just their records. And what we have seen is that this is a very talented ASVEL roster. [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) and [Neal Sako](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/neal-sako/010545/) have been killing it. [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) is his old reliable self. And the cast of newcomers and veterans behind them – including [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/), [David Lighty](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/david-lighty/003526/), [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/), [Shaq Harrison](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shaquille-harrison/013371/), and [Admiral Schofield](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/admiral-schofield/013372/) – give coach Pierric Poupet the tools needed to mount a playoff challenge. Facing FC Barcelona on the road on Friday night is no simple task. However, Barcelona is also figuring things out, especially after [losing star guard Nico Laprovittola to injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nico-laprovittola-to-undergo-knee-surgery/). And beating Barcelona in the Catalan metropolis is not impossible as three players on ASVEL's current roster – De Colo, Lighty and [Charles Kahudi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/charles-kahudi/kir/) – can attest to. After all, they won there just two seasons ago. If there is ever a time to predict a repeat of that result, that time is now. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🏟️ <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLC_Arena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LDLC_Arena</a> <a href="https://t.co/gw9cPFvFgC">pic.twitter.com/gw9cPFvFgC</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1848748016842207233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Euroleague.net's team of experts have each made one bold prediction ahead of Round 5 of the 2024-25 season

KK Crvena zvezda has announced the signing of Filip Petrusev on loan from Olympiacos BC, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

Filip Petrusev returns to Crvena Zvezda

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade has announced the signing of [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/), who has arrived on loan from fellow Turkish Airlines EuroLeague team Olympiacos Piraeus.

Petrusev (2.11 meters, 24 years old) is back for his second spell with Crvena Zvezda, having starred for the Belgrade club in the 2022-23 campaign. 

So far this season, the Serbian big man has played in all four of Olympiacos' EuroLeague games, coming off the bench to average 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">КК Црвена звезда Меридианбет обавештава јавност да се у клуб у среду вратио наш некадашњи члан и репрезентативац Србије Филип Петрушев! 🔴⚪️<br><br>Filip Petrušev is still a red-and-white, but for the rest of the season in the jersey of Crvena zvezda Meridianbet. Welcome back, Filip!… <a href="https://t.co/6aU92gwiff">pic.twitter.com/6aU92gwiff</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1849038113617715400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Following a stint in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings, Petrusev joined Olympiacos in late November 2023 and made his debut in mid-December that same year. He made 22 appearances last season, posting 6.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in a bench role as the Reds made it to the Final Four.

His real breakout season came at Crvena Zvezda, though, as he averaged 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 34 EuroLeague games. That year, he developed incredibly well and established himself as one of the league's best young players, which resulted in him heading to the NBA.

On the road with BKT: Flip Petrusev, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

Petrusev first put himself on the map with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, where he became a EuroLeague champion in 2022. The 2021-22 season, his first among Europe's elite, saw him post 5.2 points and 1.6 boards per night across 22 appearances. However, as the season went on, his role diminished, leading to him not featuring at the Final Four.

The 2020-21 ABA League MVP with Mega Basket is now heading back home to Belgrade, where he will hope to enjoy a big role at Crvena Zvezda once again. The [injury to Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/joel-bolomboy-hyperextends-knee-avoids-acl-tear/) should mean that Petrusev can come in right away and make a difference.