Panathinaikos vs Anadolu Efes

Panathinaikos has consistently shown throughout the season that they thrive under pressure, only unleashing their full strength when pushed to the brink. In Game 1 of the series, the Greek powerhouse trailed by 12 points late in the third quarter but staged an impressive comeback in the final period to secure an 87–83 victory, taking a 1–0 lead.

A pivotal moment occurred in the fourth quarter when Kendrick Nunn picked up his fourth foul, but Cedi Osman and Juancho Hernangomez rose to the occasion, delivering key baskets. Hernangomez, in particular, shone brightly, posting 20 points, 16 rebounds, and an efficiency rating of 40.

Kendrick Nunn managed 15 points but required as many shots to reach that total, indicating a lackluster performance. His visible nerves seemed to affect the team’s composure. Center Omer Yurtseven contributed solidly with 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Panagiotis Kalaitzakis brought relentless defensive energy, reminiscent of his standout moments from last season’s close.

Panathinaikos sealed the win with a commanding 23–11 fourth quarter. The game was marked by back-and-forth scoring bursts, intense moments, and an unusually high number of offensive fouls. With the series opener in their favor, Panathinaikos heads into Game 2 with reduced pressure, but they’ll need greater consistency and discipline to wrap up the series.

Anadolu Efes ended the regular season on a high note, notching several hard-fought victories to claim a top-six spot in the EuroLeague. Coach Luca Banchi boasts a versatile and skilled roster, especially in the backcourt. However, in Athens, they faltered in the fourth quarter, managing only 11 points. This collapse erased much of their earlier progress.

The absence of Rodrigue Beaubois, a seasoned scorer with championship experience, was a significant setback for the Turkish team. Shane Larkin could have used more support from a reliable teammate during his time off the court.

Some of Anadolu Efes’ coaching choices raised eyebrows—why was their top performer absent for much of the final quarter? The team struggled to generate clean looks at the basket, and even when opportunities arose, they missed open shots. Darius Thompson had a rough night, going 3-for-12 from the field, with P.J.

Dozier and Elijah Bryant also underperforming. Vincent Poirier started strong, leading Efes in the first quarter, and Derek Willis provided a spark in the second, helping erase a 10-point deficit to take the lead. Late in the third, they built a double-digit advantage, quieting the Panathinaikos crowd and players alike. But in the clutch moments of the fourth, they lacked boldness, precision, and shooting touch.

To take Game 2, Efes must sharpen their focus, cut down on errors and turnovers—especially late in the game—and brace for a likely bounce-back performance from Kendrick Nunn, the reigning EuroLeague MVP, who is unlikely to struggle again.

Juancho Hernangómez dominated in the opener, delivering a monstrous double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds, while regular season MVP Kendrick Nunn added 15 points to the winning effort. Four other Panathinaikos players scored in double figures, showcasing their depth. The defending champions were efficient inside the arc (50% from two-point range) and nearly flawless from the free-throw line (19/22), proving their composure in clutch moments.

Historically, Panathinaikos have had Efes’ number at home, winning their last three matchups in Athens. However, Anadolu Efes showed resilience in Game One, trailing by just two points in the final 30 seconds before defensive breakdowns allowed Panathinaikos to seal the game with five unanswered points. A disastrous fourth quarter saw Efes squander an eight-point lead, leaving them with plenty to correct in Game Two.

Despite the loss, Shane Larkin (17 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast) and Vincent Poirier (17 pts) provided strong performances, giving Efes hope that they can steal a win on the road and level the series before returning to Istanbul.