The Frenchman recorded a few career highs in the victory.
Mathias Lessort inspired Panathinaikos to win over Monaco
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens's Mathias Lessort didn’t score a single point in the first quarter against AS Monaco and finished the first half on 6 points. However, come the end of the game, the Greens center had recorded a game-high 23 points – tied for his career-best mark – in just over 30 minutes on the floor and led his team to an 88-63 victory.
Lessort went 9-for-10 from inside the arc, collected 9 rebounds, dished a career-high 5 assists, recorded 3 steals and drew 7 fouls for a personal-best PIR of 42. This was a complete performance from the 28-year-old on both ends of the floor after shaking off a minor injury heading into the double-round week.
“It’s good to have numbers like that, especially coming back from an injury,” Lessort said in the post-game flash interview. “I had some games where I struggled a lot and I’m still trying to get my rhythm back. So, games like that are good for my confidence.”
Bouncing back in style
Lessort came into this week after recording a total of 13 points in Panathinaikos’s two games against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Valencia Basket in Spain. After recovering from a minor injury, he scored 10 points and downed 6 rebounds for a PIR of 20 in Tuesday’s 83-76 win over Anadolu Efes Istanbul. A couple of days later, he was dominant inside the paint against Monaco and imposed himself on the opposition centers with his energy on the floor.
“I don’t play for personal stuff,” Lessort added. “I want to play for winning teams and we are on the right path right now and that’s all that matters for me.”
Having won seven of its last eight games, Panathinaikos boasts a 13-8 record after sweeping Monaco. Lessort, who was part of the 2022-23 All-EuroLeague First Team, has offered the Greens a much-needed boost of confidence.
Having immediately adapted to his new environment after joining the club in the summer, the charismatic Frenchman has become a key member of this Panathinaikos, which is seeking its first Final Four appearance since 2012.