Dan Oturu stepped up in the fourth quarter as Anadolu Efes SK beat Fenerbahçe Beko in the Turkish Derby in Round 33 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Among many derby heroes, Dan Oturu came up huge for Efes

As Anadolu Efes Istanbul pulled out [a dramatic 80-82 road win in the Turkish Derby](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-vs-anadolu-efes-sk/) against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, an unlikely hero came to the fore.

Many would have expected the heroes to be [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) and [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/), the only two players who spent more than 22 minutes on the floor. After all, Efes got 21 points from Clyburn, who played 33 minutes and made a series of tough shots, He also led the team with 5 rebounds, while helping with 4 assists.

Larkin, meanwhile, played 31 minutes, scoring 15 points, including what ended up being a game-winning floater with 11 seconds to go. He also led the team with 5 assists.

Another likely hero was [Rodrigue Beaubois](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rodrigue-beaubois/006590/), the only other Efes player in double digits. He scored 10 points, but none was more important than his three-pointer with the shot clock expiring to put Efes up 74-79.

### Arise Dan Oturu

However, it's hard to think Efes would have pulled out this win without big man [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/).

Dan Oturu stepped up in the fourth quarter of the Turkish Derby to see Anadolu Efes Istanbul over the line.

Oturu's big fourth quarter

The Efes center played 2 minutes and 30 seconds in the second quarter, committing one personal foul, and was part of the group that allowed Fenerbahce to finish the half with a 7-0 run and take a 36-32 lead into halftime.

Oturu went back into action in the final 24 seconds of the third quarter before starting the fourth. The 24-year-old got things going with a big dunk and then scored a layup, but he also committed 2 more fouls, sending [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) to the foul line on both occasions.

But head coach Tomica Mijatovic left him in the game, and that move paid dividends.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">📊 <a href="https://twitter.com/Bilyoner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bilyoner</a> ile Fenerbahçe Beko karşılaşmamızdan öne çıkan istatistikler!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/LCNPFp9EOz">pic.twitter.com/LCNPFp9EOz</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1776344305277300768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Offensively, he fought hard under the basket, scoring four more points, first making two free throws that made it 61-67, then scoring in transition and drawing a foul from [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) to set a 65-71 scoreline with 4:25 left.

### Making more big plays down the stretch

Defensively, Oturu delivered a block on [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) when Fenerbahce was trying to cut the deficit to a single possession. Then, in the penultimate minute, he might have won the game for Efes.

He first challenged [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/)'s shot, forcing last week's 50-point scorer to attempt a high-arching floater that was not even close, before coming up with a defensive rebound after no one seemed able to grab it. 

Oturu went on to draw two more free throws on the other end with 1:25 to go. He made the first to open a 69-75 lead, but after he missed his second free throw, he grabbed an offensive board, giving Efes another possession and the ability to run down more time on the clock.

That proved to be key as Fenerbahce made its final run, but Beaubois and Larkin hit big-time shots to see Efes over the line.

Fenerbahce suffered just its second home loss of the season and it was Efes's fourth road win, but few come sweeter than in the local derby. Especially in a game of such significance, as Efes knows a win in its regular-season finale would not only secure it a postseason spot but a home game in the Play-In Showdown.

Game News

Dan Oturu in action for Anadolu Efes Istanbul during its Turkish Derby against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 33 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The center stepped up in the fourth quarter to wrap up the win on Fenerbahce's court

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-04-05T17:45:00.000Z)

Olimpia Milano beat Virtus Bologna 90-75 in the Italian Derby in Round 33 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Milan beats Virtus to stay alive in the play-in race, 90-75

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Shabazz Napier of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan is guarded by Daniel Hackett of Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 33 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Ettore Messina's team defeated their Italian rivals for the first time in the modern EuroLeague era

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-04-05T18:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos BC defeated FC Bayern Basketball 75-82 in Round 33 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Panathinaikos fends off battling Bayern, 75-82

<incrowd-live-blog id="660d2f3a9f4ee1bd58994075" client-id="EUROLEAGUE" server="standard"></incrowd-live-blog><script src="https://live-blog.incrowdsports.com/index.js"></script>

Ioannis Papapetrou of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens looks to score against Vladimir Lucic of FC Bayern Munich in Round 33 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The Greens closed in on home-court advantage in the playoffs as Bayern's postseason hopes were dashed

FC Bayern Munich v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-04-05T18:30:00.000Z)

Baskonia beat Real Madrid for the second year in a row at WiZink Center, 91-95, in Round 33 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Baskonia stuns Real Madrid at WiZink Center... again, 91-95

<incrowd-live-blog id="660d2f019f4ee1bd58994071" client-id="EUROLEAGUE" server="standard"></incrowd-live-blog><script src="https://live-blog.incrowdsports.com/index.js"></script>

Markus Howard of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has possession against Real Madrid in Round 33 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Markus Howard dominated to ensure his team reached the Play-In Showdown

Real Madrid v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-04-05T18:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes SK came out on top in the Turkish Derby against Fenerbahçe Beko, winning 80-82 in Round 33 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Efes survives late drama to win the Istanbul Derby, 80-82

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Will Clyburn of Anadolu Efes Istanbul has possession against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 33 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Fenerbahce suffered just its second home defeat of the season and is out of the running for home-court advantage in the playoffs

The penultimate round of the regular season has now closed, with several teams booking their place in the postseason on Thursday and Friday

Game Center: Postseason picture is becoming clearer after Round 33

### Round 33's impact on the postseason

Coming into Round 33, there was just one team that had secured its place in the EuroLeague Playoffs: Real Madrid. Well, Thursday night saw five teams join the reigning EuroLeague champion in the playoffs. 

AS Monaco, FC Barcelona and Olympiacos Piraeus all won their respective games on Thursday night, while Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv's loss at Palau Blaugrana allowed Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul to join the aforementioned four teams.

Maccabi's defeat also confirmed that it as the first seed in the Play-In Showdown. Virtus Segafredo Bologna came into Round 33 knowing it would be in the play-in, while Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz sealed its place in the play-in with a win at Real Madrid. The final play-in spot is in Anadolu Efes Istanbul's hands, with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade ready to pounce in case it slips up in Round 34.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">👀 <a href="https://t.co/8mlxTQGFnj">pic.twitter.com/8mlxTQGFnj</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1776354007239295478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Who will be in the Play-In Showdown?⏳ <a href="https://t.co/CvONBaoQIX">pic.twitter.com/CvONBaoQIX</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1776354871416950865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Thursday, April 4

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 80-82 Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-vs-anadolu-efes-sk/)

Efes took a massive step towards securing a place in the Play-In Showdown with a thrilling 80-82 win over its city rival Fenerbahce on Friday night. Efes improved to a 16-17 mark on the season and now controls its postseason faith, as it can clinch a play-in place with a win in its season finale against Crvena Zvezda next week. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, suffered just its second home loss of the season, dropping to 20-13. By Panathinaikos beating Bayern, also on Friday, Fenerbahce cannot clinch home-court advantage in the playoffs.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Keep moving forward! 👊<br>Fenerbahçe Beko 80 - 82 Anadolu Efes | Maç Sonucu<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/6PQDEPA6KD">pic.twitter.com/6PQDEPA6KD</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1776338248912064778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Real Madrid 91-95 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-real-madrid-baloncesto-vs-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/)

Baskonia secured a place in the play-in, showing great resolve on the road to overcome a 15-point deficit and down reigning champ Real Madrid, 91-95, in a thriller. For the second year in a row, it was able to win at WiZink Center in a dramatic finale. Real found its flow quickly and raced into a double-digit advantage in the first quarter thanks to superb transition offense. But Baskonia improved drastically from the second quarter and launched several small runs to eventually take the lead, staying strong in the final stages with 30 points scored in the fourth quarter.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔥🔥🔥 VAMOOOOOOOSSSSSSS ES NUESTROOOOOOO 🔥🔥🔥<br><br>CLASIFICADOS PARA EL PLAY IN DE <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> 💪💪💪💪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/1YSrn6wJ8X">pic.twitter.com/1YSrn6wJ8X</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1776346637968752765?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 90-75 Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-olimpia-milano-vs-virtus-bologna/)

Milan stayed in the fight to make it to the EuroLeague Play-in Showdown by downing Virtus 90-75 in the Italian Derby on Friday night. Milan improved to 15-18 in the standings while Virtus dropped to 17-16. Nikola Mirotic paced the winners with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Stefano Tonut added 15 points, Nicolo Melli had 13 while Shavon Shields got 11 for Milan. Toko Shengelia led Virtus with 21 points. Marco Belinelli added 13 for the guests.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Il derby d&#39;Italia è biancorosso! 🤍❤️<br>L&#39;Olimpia, trascinata da 12.640 cuori biancorossi, dà lo strappo decisivo nel terzo quarto e vince 90 - 75.<br><br>(Mirotic 18 pts, Tonut 15, Melli 13)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olimpiamilano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#olimpiamilano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/3LbZg1jMkm">pic.twitter.com/3LbZg1jMkm</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1776350412423012741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[FC Bayern Munich 75-82 Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-fc-bayern-basketball-vs-panathinaikos-bc/)

Panathinaikos (22-11) edged closer to a top-four finish in the EuroLeague Regular Season after a 75-82 win at Bayern (13-20), whose hopes of sneaking into the competition's play-in were vanquished. The Greens will be assured of clinching home-court advantage if they beat bottom team ALBA Berlin (5-28) at home in the final round, as Kendrick Nunn led a concerted team effort against Bayern with 17 points and 4 rebounds.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final Score ☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBBasketball</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> 75-82 <a href="https://t.co/ZTALzbgh5S">pic.twitter.com/ZTALzbgh5S</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1776346280886694204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Thursday, April 4

[Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 86-89 Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-kk-crvena-zvezda-vs-olympiacos-bc/)

Moses Wright came up huge in the fourth quarter as Olympiacos held on to an 86-89 road win at Crvena Zvezda to clinch a place in the EuroLeague Playoffs. Wright scored 16 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, including 8 of Olympiacos's final 10 points of the game.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Final🏀 Crvena Zvezda - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> 86-89 (40&#39;) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</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://twitter.com/hashtag/CZVOLY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CZVOLY</a> <a href="https://t.co/eiUVoTiHMN">pic.twitter.com/eiUVoTiHMN</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1775962868585779302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[AS Monaco 69-66 Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-as-monaco-basket-vs-zalgiris-kaunas/)

Monaco has joined Real Madrid and Olympiacos  in qualifying for the playoffs following a 69-66 win against Zalgiris on Thursday evening. Should Barcelona lose at home to Maccabi a little later on Thursday, Monaco will also secure home-court advantage in the playoffs. Mike James led the way for Monaco with a game-high 18 points, followed by Donatas Motiejunas with 14 and Jaron Blossomgame with 11, all of which came in the first half. For Zalgiris, Keenan Evans scored 8 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to help keep things close. Brady Manek also had 12 points and Kevarrius Hayes added 11.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">⚔️📈 <a href="https://t.co/B8anDXYQtH">https://t.co/B8anDXYQtH</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1775968954399240572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

[FC Barcelona 92-89 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-fc-barcelona-vs-maccabi-tel-aviv-bc/)

Barcelona qualified for the EuroLeague Playoffs by edging Maccabi 92-89 at home in Round 33 on Thursday. Barca improved to 22-11 and punched its playoff ticket. Maccabi dropped to 19-14 and will be seventh at the end of this round. Jan Vesely and Alex Abrines paced the winners with 17 points apiece. Nico Laprovittola added 15, dished 9 assists and buried the game-winning three-pointer with 5.2 seconds left. Jabari Parker had 14 points, Oscar da Silva got 10 while Tomas Satoransky grabbed 11 rebounds for Barca. Wade Baldwin led Maccabi with 22 points. Josh Nebo added 14 and John DiBartolomeo had 12.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎̀𝐑✌𝐀! SÍ! SOM EQUIP DE PLAY-OFF!! <a href="https://t.co/zDBlZJzN5L">pic.twitter.com/zDBlZJzN5L</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1775983731079021008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[ALBA Berlin 83-94 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-alba-berlin-vs-kk-partizan/)

Partizan (15-18) kept alive its hopes of snatching a play-in berth in the final round of the EuroLeague Regular Season after a balanced team effort gave the Serbian team a lifeline 83-94 win at ALBA (5-28). Five players scored in double digits for the visitors, with James Nunnally leading the way as he racked up 19 points and 4 assists. Kevin Punter and PJ Dozier scored 15 points each, Zach LeDay added 14 and Aleksa Avramovic netted 11 points for Partizan, which forced 18 turnovers from ALBA. At the other end, Johannes Thiemann stood out for the home side with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds. Matt Thomas scored 16 points for ALBA, Sterling Brown added 14 and Yanni Wetzell netted 11.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Pobeda crno-belih u Berlinu!✊🏽⚫️⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/IIuQgCIqDp">pic.twitter.com/IIuQgCIqDp</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1775985897315422705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Valencia Basket 69-98 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/live-blog-valencia-basket-vs-ldlc-asvel/)

**ASVEL pulled off its finest outing of the season at La Fonteta to cruise past Valencia and record a 69-98 win on Thursday night. With its victory, the French side improved to an 8-25 record and ensured it does not finish bottom of the standings. Meanwhile, Valencia dropped to 14-19 and will be officially eliminated from play-in contention should Efes beat Fenerbahce in the Turkish Derby on Friday evening.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">DÉMONSTRATION COLLECTIVE ! 🤩🤩🤩<br><br>Nos Villeurbannais s’imposent avec la manière sur le parquet de Valence grâce à une prestation collective impressionnante ! 💪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/4LSuoqigmC">pic.twitter.com/4LSuoqigmC</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1775988548706935245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Valencia Basket v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-04-04T18:45:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-04-04T18:30:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2024-04-04T18:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-04-04T17:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-04-04T17:00:00.000Z)

Nigel Hayes-Davis, the man of the moment, sat down with EuroLeague.net to talk a little bit about his 50 points from last week, the new EuroLeague scoring record in a single game.

Nigel Hayes-Davis, Fenerbahce: 'Everyone just calls me 50 now'

March 29, 2024, will always be remembered as the date on which a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague player scored 50 points for the first time. Of course, that player was [Nigel Hayes-Davis of Fenerbahce Bekos Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/), who sat down with [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net) to share how he feels after such an accomplishment.

"Everyone just calls me 50 now," Hayes-Davis jokes. "Teammates that walked in, coaching staff, the interviews I've done, everyone started the interview with, well, 'We're here with Mr. 50.' So that's a pretty cool nickname."

Hayes-Davis's feat also meant a new single-game scoring record in the league, beating by a single point the previous one held by Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, at 49.

The performance by Hayes-Davis ignited social media with many reactions and comments, and he was pretty fond of one in particular.

"My favorite one, obviously, would be for me is Klay Thompson," Hayes-Davis explains. "He was always my favorite player growing up."

After such an accomplishment, Hayes-Davis did not celebrate it in any bombastic way or even change his post-game routines, for that matter.

"I FaceTime my mom after every game, whether I win or lose or I score 50," he says. "You know, obviously, this one was a special FaceTime."

And special it must have been, as not everybody can be the first EuroLeague player to ever score 50 points.

Congratulations Nigel!

Nigel Hayes-Davis, the man of the moment, sat down with EuroLeague.net to talk a little bit about his 50-point performance from last week, the new EuroLeague single-game record.

Valencia, Mumbru part ways

Valencia Basket announced on Friday that it has terminated its relationship with head coach Alex Mumbru. The decision comes after a shocking home loss to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne by 69-98 in Round 33. It was Valencia's worst loss ever at home in the EuroLeague.

This has been Mumbru's second season as head coach in Valencia. He took the reins of the team in 2022 as the team was back in the EuroLeague, and finished 13th in 2022-23. Yesterday's loss to ASVEL could prove fatal for the orange team, as a win by either Anadolu Efes Istanbul or Zalgiris Kaunas on Friday would mathematically eliminate Valencia from the play-in race. Mumbru's total EuuroLeague record with Valencia stands at 29-38.

The club has announced that former assistant coach Xavi Albert will be the new head coach for the team from now on. Albert was the coach of the U18 Valencia Basket team that won the ANGT Valencia tournament in 2018, and has also been head coach in teams of the other club categories.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">📰 Comunicado oficial<br><br>¡Gracias y mucha suerte en los próximos retos, <a href="https://twitter.com/Alexmumbru15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Alexmumbru15</a>!<br><br>Cas 👉 Álex Mumbrú no sigue al frente del primer equipo masculino de Valencia Basket<a href="https://t.co/b62o9HcPyC">https://t.co/b62o9HcPyC</a><br><br>Val 👉 Álex Mumbrú no continua al capdavant del primer equip masculí de Valencia… <a href="https://t.co/9tBqyExJaj">pic.twitter.com/9tBqyExJaj</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1776195642718597149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A Virtus legend speaks about how great it is to have the club back in the elite and the ongoing legacy of Argentinian players in the EuroLeague.

Manu Ginobili: 'Virtus fans really deserve this'

Before becoming a Basketball Hall of Famer, Manu Ginobili played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Virtus Segafredo Bologna for two years, winning the title in 2001 and reaching the championship game in 2002.

Ginobili was arguably the EuroLeague's first new superstar of the 21st century. He averaged 15.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 steals and a PIR of 15.9 in 22 Euroleague games in the competition's original 2000-01 season and was chosen as the 2001 Finals MVP. A year later, Ginobili posted solid numbers again, averaging 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals and a PIR of 17.1 in 22 games and was named to the 2001-02 All-EuroLeague First Team. Despite his 27 points in the championship game, Virtus lost 83-89 loss against Panathinaikos Athens in what is still the only title ever won on the other finalist's home floor.

### Ginobili on Virtus

Ginobili went on to play in the NBA and become a Basketball Hall of Famer. He spent 16 season with the San Antonio Spurs, which he helped to win four NBA titles – in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014 – getting his #20 jersey retired at the end of his career. He led Argentina to the Olympic gold medal in Athens in 2004 and to the bronze Beijing in 2008. Ginobili also helped Argentina get a silver medal at the 2002 World Cup. His signature move, the Euro-step, is widely used all over the basketball world. Now that Virtus is back in the EuroLeague, he has started to follow the EuroLeague closely again.

"Virtus fans really deserve this, and the city deserves to have a team at the highest level because of the way they feel the game, because of the way they experience it. So after we left for a few years, it was... nothing was going on. The team was struggling. And then slowly, when you see it, that is is happening again, right? Like, it was the EuroCup first, and then being competitive in the EuroLeague, and having those fun games and the arena packed with fans, it's great to see," Ginobili said. "It's one of those things that should have never stopped happening. But now that it is back, I'm of course very glad. It connects me also a little bit more with EuroLeague, because those years also I lost that, right? I lost my team in the competition."

### A friend in the team

Ginobili played with Virtus captain Marco Belinelli in the NBA. Belinelli was with San Antonio for two seasons, and won the NBA title in 2014. Belinelli played in the NBA for 14 seasons and went full circle by returning to Virtus, where he started his playing career. Ginobili was already a Virtus star with Belinelli was barely a teenager, and is happy to see him still going strong in the EuroLeague.

"It's great to see Marco still making things happen, also playing in Bologna where he started," Ginobili said. "I don't remember when was his first game, but he was 16, practicing with us. And seeing him still performing, still hitting those crazy shots out of balance that he shoots like nobody else, it's great to see. And also, we had a great time here playing together. He plays without the ball like nobody else, and we liked looking for each other. And we had a good run."

### Argentina and the EuroLeague

Ginobili belonged to a first generations of Argentinian players that came to the EuroLeague looking for a bigger level of competition. Luis Scola, Pepe Sanchez, Pablo Prigioni, Andres Nocioni and Fabricio Oberto, among others, were EuroLeague stars in the early 2000s. Now, players like Luca Vildoza, Facu Campazzo, Nico Laprovittola and Gabriel Deck are following their footsteps which, of course, makes Ginobili keep an eye on what's going on in the EuroLeague.

"They have done remarkable things, too. I mean, what Facu \[Campazzo\] is doing in the Euroleague, or has done before coming to the NBA, at the level in which 'Lapro' \[Nico Laprovittola\] is playing, the consistency of Gabi Deck and Luca Vildoza is great to see," Ginobili said. "All four had – are having, not had – amazing careers, and they are consistently playing at the top level. It's not something that's a guarantee. They bring it every night. They are great competitors, so it's great to see them there."