The first episode of 'Rivalries', the latest documentary series produced by Euroleague Basketball Originals, is now out on YouTube.

Check out the EuroLeague’s best derbies in ‘Rivalries’, now out on YouTube

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is renowned across the globe for the incredible atmospheres that fans get to experience on a week in, week out basis. In ‘Rivalries’, the latest documentary series produced by Euroleague Basketball Originals, witness how the passion they show goes to another level completely.

Over the course of five episodes, which focus on the Istanbul derby in Turkiye, the Derby d’Italia in Italy, the Eternal Derby in Serbia, the Mother of all Battles in Greece, and El Clásico in Spain, viewers will get to understand what makes these rivalries tick – on and off the court.

Watch the first episode, 'Rivalries: Istanbul', on YouTube below.

From highlight-reel plays to the foundations of arenas being tested by thousands of jumping fans, the EuroLeague’s rivalry games provide a plethora of emotions which are unmatched anywhere on the planet.

Be it due to cultural differences or simply spending years facing each other in key games, rivalries build with time – especially those that are the most vociferous – and the ‘Rivalries’ documentary series provides a glimpse into what makes these derbies what they are today.

Key players from each of the teams involved, as well as former players, share their thoughts on the cities they play or played in and what it means to represent their side in the derby. For fans, beating their archrival means everything, and the players are very aware of that.

Throughout the five episodes, several big names from the past feature, including Luka Doncic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Dan Peterson, Dominique Wilkins, Ekpe Udoh, Manu Ginobili, Pete Mickeal, and many more. There are plenty of prominent faces from the current EuroLeague, too, such as Kostas Sloukas, Zeljko Obradovic, Shane Larkin, Nicolo Melli, Kostas Papanikolaou, Marco Belinelli, Nikola Mirotic, among others.

Early access to each episode of ‘Rivalries’ will be available for paid subscribers of EuroLeague TV, which now has [its Annual Pass available to purchase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/news/witness-why-every-game-matters-with-the-euroleague-tv-annual-pass/). The EuroLeague’s local TV rights holders will also have early access to the five episodes.

‘Rivalries’, this latest Euroleague Basketball Originals documentary series, offers an inside look at the best derbies in basketball and perfectly exemplifies why these are must-watch fixtures in the EuroLeague calendar.

Episode 1 is now available to watch via YouTube

Tamir Blatt was a man on a mission for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on the opening night of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, erupting for a career-best performance and earning Round 1 MVP honors for the first-ever time along the way.

Round 1 MVP: Tamir Blatt, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

[Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) was a man on a mission for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on the opening night of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, erupting for a career-best performance and earning Round 1 MVP honors for the first-ever time along the way.

The 27-year-old blew his previous high in PIR out of the water, beating his previous best of 20 with a 36 PIR in Maccabi’s 89-82 win over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. He was a nightmare for the opposition defense all night long, setting new personal bests in scoring (21 points) and assists (12) in just under 29 minutes on the floor. Shooting-wise, Blatt was near-perfect, going 4 for 5 inside the arc, 4 for 4 on three-pointers and 1 for 1 from the free-throw line. He also grabbed 2 defensive rebounds, had 1 steal and drew 3 fouls, in addition to having a +18 in the plus-minus column, the second-best total of any Maccabi player.

Tamir Blatt | RS Round 1 MVP | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

[Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) had a strong showing on his Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade debut after recording a 28 PIR, the second-highest total in Round 1, but it came in an 88-82 defeat at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. The American center put up 22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. Sharing third place are AS Monaco’s [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), who each had a 26 PIR. In Monaco’s 93-80 triumph against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Diallo had a solid all-around performance with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Baldwin led Fenerbahce in an 82-71 win over Olympiacos Piraeus with 19 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Rounding out the list of top performers is Maccabi's [Jasiel Rivero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jasiel-rivero/011214/) with a 24 PIR as he collected 11 point, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks and 2 assists.

### Individual highs: Donta Hall, Baskonia, 4 blocks

[Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/) of FC Bayern Munich was the top scorer in Round 1 with 25 points.

ALBA Berlin’s [Khalifa Koumadje](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/khalifa-koumadje/010791/) pulled down a round-high 13 rebounds in Round 1.

Blatt dished 12 assists in this round, more than anyone else.

Six players recorded 3 steals in Round 1: Maccabi’s Rivero, [Xavier Rathan-Mayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/xavier-rathan-mayes/profile/013378/) of Real Madrid, [Nicolas Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) of FC Barcelona, [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/profile/012608/) of Paris Basketball, [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/) of Monaco and [Mouhamet Diouf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/sr/euroleague/players/mouhamet-diouf/013374/) of Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

[Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/donta-hall/011196/) of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz had 4 blocks in Round 1, the most of any player.

The two double-doubles in Round 1 belong to Blatt (21 points, 12 assists) and [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/007201/) (19 points, 10 rebounds).

First MVP award for a Maccabi point guard.

We have our first winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! Efecan Yavasgel beat everyone else in Round 1 with his team Thefelele.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 1 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our first winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Efecan Yavasgel beat everyone else in Round 1 with his team Thefelele, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 184.2.

Efecan had the following lineup: team captain Jasiel Rivero of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Tyrique Jone of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Will Clyburn of Virtus Segrafedo Bologna, Wade Baldwin of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Sylvain Francisco of Zalgiris Kaunas as starters, Tamir Blatt of Maccabi as sixth man, Louis Olindeo of ALBA Berlin, Dimitris Moraitis of Panathinaikos Aktor Athens, and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz duo of Sander Raieste and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot as bench players, as well as Oded Kattash of Maccabi as head coach. The prize for finishing first in Round 1 is a free VIP Euroleague TV Subscription for the 2025-26 season!

Efecan is also the leader of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/) overall standings.

Trades are now open for Round 2. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season. You can either trade up to four players, or a head coach and three players.

The first game in Round 2, AS Monaco vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, is scheduled to tip off on Wednesday, October 9 at 19:00 CET, and thus marks next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner!

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager. 

Fenerbahce Beko and Olympiacos BC, two favorites to make it to the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four, left it all out on the court in Round 1, leading to a passionate exchange afterward.

Emotions boiled over as EuroLeague heavyweights locked horns 

The much-anticipated blockbuster in Round 1 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fully lived up to its billing as it produced a high-octane clash between Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Olympiacos Piraeus.

Packed with talent, both teams gave as good as they got throughout the contest, with [Fenerbahce prevailing 82-71](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/gritty-fenerbahce-sinks-olympiacos-82-71-thanks-to-second-half-onslaught/) thanks to immense contributions from new arrivals [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) and [Boban Marjanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/boban-marjanovic/lmg/), complemented by a stellar fourth-quarter performance by stalwart [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/).

An understrengthed Olympiacos, missing injured big men [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) and [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/), got outmuscled in the paint and forced to take a barrage of tough perimeter shots, which they clearly did not enjoy having lost the battle of the boards 44-24 while making only 4-of-20 shots from downtown.

Fenerbahce vs. Olympiacos | R1 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Fenerbahce was able to pull away in the fourth quarter, hitting top gear at both ends in the home stretch, as the hosts forced the Greek side into submission. What followed was an ugly face-off between the home team’s head coach Saras Jasikevicius and his Olympiacos counterpart Georgios Bartzokas.

Jasikevicius got into his longtime rival’s face and the latter responded with an equally angry gesture, forcing their staff and assistants to pull them apart after the final buzzer.

Both men later offered their explanations at the post-game press conference, blaming each other for lack of respect in a rare sight of rivalry going too far in Europe’s premier club competition.

Yet, Bartzokas and Jasikevicius will no doubt quickly put their spat to bed and turn their attention to upcoming challenges, on and off the court. The Olympiacos play-caller must be hoping that Milutinov and Fall will recover quickly, while the Fenerbahce boss will have to deal with [the long-term absence of guard Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-confirms-the-worst-scottie-wilbekin-has-torn-his-acl/), who suffered an ACL tear in the first quarter against Olympiacos.

On the court, it appears Jasikevicius hit the nail on the head with the new signings, whose quality should give Fenerbahce the extra depth required to feature as strong contenders to win its second EuroLeague title.

In contrast, Bartzokas seemingly faces a tough process of blending [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) into the Olympiacos offense after a 12-year spell in the NBA, where he averaged a career-high 19.7 points for the Orlando Magic in the 2020-2021 season before he got traded to the Boston Celtics during that campaign. 

Fournier failed to hit the ground running on his EuroLeague debut, having scored a mere 5 points while managing just 1 assist against an ironclad Fenerbahce defense.

Bartzokas ultimately conceded that Olympiacos lacked the zest and mettle to prevail in an intimidating environment.

“We made some silly turnovers and gave them 14 offensive rebounds. It was about lack of physicality, aggressiveness and desire to get the ball, which is a big problem for us right now,” he said in a courtside interview.

“The players need to understand that every game in the EuroLeague is war, and they need to play like warriors if they want to win.”

Game News

Fenerbahce came out on top against Olympiacos in a fascinating battle on Friday night

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-10-04T17:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes showed a different side to its game in its EuroLeague opener by shutting down Virtus Bologna's offense, while star guard Shane Larkin is still working his way back into form.

Everything is heading in the right direction for resurgent Efes

Anadolu Efes Istanbul managed to do something on Friday night that it had not done in years. On the road at Virtus Segafredo Bologna, [Tomislav Mijatovic's men came away with a 67-76 triumph](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/strong-fourth-quarter-lifts-efes-to-win-over-virtus-67-76/), bringing an end to a couple of streaks in the process.

Those 67 points are the fewest Efes has allowed in a road win since December 2022, a 60-86 win in Kaunas, and its Round 1 triumph represents the first time Efes won a season opener on the road since 2018.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">👊 EuroLeague’de ilk maç ilk galibiyet!<br>Virtus Segafredo Bologna 67 - 76 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/NAuQiVx89A">pic.twitter.com/NAuQiVx89A</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1842310413955813847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Obviously, the victory came behind its defense, which did not allow Virtus to score more than 16 points in any of the last three quarters.

"We gave up a few offensive rebounds, a couple of turnovers, but we got the job done," said [Dan Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/), who paced Efes with 14 points and 9 rebounds.

Efes had 13 turnovers, but it forced 18. Also, Efes had 10 offensive rebounds to just 7 from Virtus.

So, while Efes's juggernaut offense might have left a little to be desired, its defense was stellar. After all, Virtus was restricted to 48.5% two-point shooting and made just 5 threes on 20 attempts (25.0%).

Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard Shane Larkin discussed his team's performance after beating Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 1 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Shane Larkin: 'The sky is the limit for us'

That seems like a recipe Efes that Coach Mijatovic would like to see on display on a nightly basis going forward.

"I am not going to say we need to improve; we need to maintain the rebounding presence, maintain the tips, deflections, aggressiveness on defense, get steals," Mijatovic stated in his post-game interview. "Those are the things that get easy points for us, get us in a good rhythm, good momentum."

What really jumped out is that Efes left [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/), who spent the last two seasons playing for the Turkish side, scoreless in 18 minutes of action. That's just the third time Clyburn has been held scoreless in his 220 EuroLeague appearances, with the last time coming in the third-place game at the 2021 Final Four. The only time it happened in a regular-season game was in March 2018.

"We said that we are playing against one of the most experienced and the most dangerous offensive teams in Europe," Mijatovic explained when asked about stopping Clyburn, and also holding [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/) to 7 points. 

"We know Will very much, and we know Marco \[Belinelli\] throughout his career. Those guys are super dangerous. And it does not take one person; it is a collective effort and you need to work on it. Okay, you got to be a little bit lucky at certain times because in basketball you need a little bit of luck. 

"It is not going to happen often in the future that Will be kept to a low scoring average. He is a great player, one of the best in modern EuroLeague history, the same as Marco. I think our team collective sacrifice and effort resulted in a great performance and a great victory like this one."

Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul | Round 1 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

On the other hand, Mijatovic was very happy to see [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) in action for the first time this season. Larkin missed the entire preseason due to a knock and did not feature in the Turkish Super Cup over the weekend, meaning he had to shake off a bit of rust in Bologna. 

"I've been on the court with the team for five days, I am feeling okay," Larkin said afterward. "Not great yet, but day by day I'll get better and a win is a win. I am glad we got that tonight."

Larkin came off the bench and finished with 11 points on 3-for-6 three-point shooting, as well as dishing 5 assists. He showed how he still retains the clutch gene midway through the fourth quarter, too, hitting back-to-back triples to cap a 2-15 run and open a 10-point Efes lead.

"We stayed together, made the big plays when we needed to. Key stops, key blocks, key offensive rebounds, key threes. That's what it is all about," Larkin added. 

The last time Efes won its EuroLeague opener on the road, it was Larkin's first EuroLeague game in Efes uniform.

"Playing on the road in the EuroLeague is extremely difficult. So, to come here and get a win in the first week of the season is great for our team."

The Turkish side secured an impressive Round 1 win in Bologna

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-10-04T19:00:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda grabbed its first win of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season by beating Paris Basketball in Round 1, rallying in the final 15 minutes to get the job done. 

Crvena Zvezda leaned on its experience and know-how in Paris 

In its opening game of the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade found itself in a critical situation midway through the third quarter. 

Paris Basketball led 51-38 midway through the period, pushed on by a sellout crowd at the brand-new Adidas Arena and led by an outstanding [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/). 

Despite being without its most experienced player, playmaker [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/), Zvezda found a way to get back into the game and [eventually grab a 77-80 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/crvena-zvezda-spoils-the-party-for-paris-77-80/).

Paris Basketball vs. Crvena Zvezda | R1 Highlights |2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Zvezda did what all experienced teams have to do when their backs are against the wall: improve its aggressiveness at both ends and try to go to the foul line as often as possible. Zvezda hit five free throws in a decisive 0-11 run highlighted by [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/)'s fast-break layup, euro-stepping away from [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) to get a lightning quick basket.

Once the game was close, Zvezda found a go-to guy in [Nemanja Nedovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nemanja-nedovic/000848/), who got plenty of help from the most experienced players on the team. Paris regained a 58-53 lead late in the third quarter but Nedovic buried a couple of three-pointers and added a floater in traffic, with [Luka Mitrovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-mitrovic/002553/) and Miller-McIntyre making telling contributions for a 63-67 Zvezda lead.

Nedovic had time for a fifth three-pointer in as many shots, then [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) beat the shot clock with another bomb from downtown. Zvezda managed the end of the game very well, keeping a slim lead and using fouls to prevent Paris from tying the game. When Hifi took a potentially game-tying shot, the final buzzer had sounded and it didn't go in, anyway.

Nemanja Nedovic had 21 points on 5 of 6 three-pointers to lead Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade past Paris Basketball in Round 1 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Nedovic shot the lights out in Paris

"We have these experienced players that played a lot of years in the EuroLeague and who have played a lot of games like that," Zvezda head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos told EuroLeague TV after the game. "We took the right decisions defensively and offensively, and that was very important."

Nedovic finished the game with 21 points on 5-of-6 three-pointers. [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) added 14 points for Zvezda, hitting two critical free throws down the stretch. As always, Kalinic did a little bit of everything, finishing the game with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a PIR of 17.

"The EuroLeague is back, the intensity is back, the energy is back," Kalinic stated. "We knew they were going to go out there full of energy. They want to win in their new arena, in front of their fans, so when we managed to control that the pace and the rhythm of the game, we were good. 

"We played an amazing second half, so I'm very proud of the guys. I think finally in the second half, we found our chemistry. We figured out what's working for us offensively and defensively, so we have to build on that."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sl" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/adidasPlayeroftheGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#adidasPlayeroftheGame</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> R1 🏀<br><br>⭐️ NEMANJA NEDOVIĆ<br><br>📊 21 pts, 7/8 FG, 5/6 3FG, 3 ast.<br>PIR 21<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/4tFM169Nma">pic.twitter.com/4tFM169Nma</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1842314312045740434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"Winning away in the first game of the season is huge for us for our confidence," added Nedovic. "And we have to build on this, we cannot stop now. We didn't give up. It has to do a little bit with our experience. We are an experienced team. We know how to fight in tough situations and that's what we did today."

Zvezda outrebounded Paris 29-43, pulling down 15 offensive rebounds and allowing Paris to get just 17 defensive boards. It shot the ball better from downtown, too, thanks in large part to Nedovic's accuracy. Zvezda buried 10-of-22 three-pointers (45.5%) and Paris only hit 6-of-23 shots from beyond the arc (26.7%).

Zvezda will again be without Teodosic in its home opener against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 2, so it will be hoping that its most experienced players can step up once again.

The Serbian side grabbed its first win of the season, rallying in the final 15 minutes to get the job done

Paris Basketball v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-10-04T19:00:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes got its 2024-25 EuroLeague season off to the perfect start, beating Virtus Bologna 67-76 on the road.

Strong fourth quarter lifts Efes to win over Virtus, 67-76

Anadolu Efes Istanbul started the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season in the best way possible, going on the road and overcoming Virtus Segafredo Bologna 67-76 on Friday night. In a tight and very physical game, Efes pulled away for good with a 2-15 run early in the fourth quarter, opening a double-digit lead and never allowing Virtus to threaten again.

Dan Oturu led Efes with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Elijah Bryant scored 12, and Shane Larkin had 11 points and 6 rebounds in the win. Isaia Cordinier paced Virtus with a game-high 16 points, while Tornike Shengelia scored 12 in a losing effort.

Game Videos

Efes got going behind Ercan Osmani and Oturu before back-to-back three from Darius Thompson and Osmani opened a 7-13 lead. After a Virtus timeout, however, the hosts replied with back-to-back triples from Daniel Hackett and Cordinier, sparking a 12-0 run capped by Mouhamet Diouf that opened a 19-13 advantage, with Virtus 21-15 ahead after 10 minutes.

The battle became even more physical in the second quarter. Diouf's three-point play made it 24-17, but Jordan Nwora answered with a three-pointer. Ante Zizic had a big put-back dunk, yet Larkin's triple, on his first shot of the night with 4:52 left in the second quarter, tied things at 27-27. Virtus replied with seven straight points, five of which coming from the foul line, but Oturu's three-point play sparked Efes's answer. Oturu finished the half with a dunk just before the buzzer, meaning the two teams were tied, 36-36, at halftime.

Efes had a great start to the second half. Fueled by Bryant, who scored 6 points, and helped by a three-point play from Oturu, Efes made a 0-11 run to open the third quarter as it took the first double-digit lead of the game, 36-47. Virtus needed nearly five minutes to score in the second half, but Cordinier's basket started a 7-0 run of their own, capped by a three-point play from Shengelia. Marco Belinelli's wide-open corner triple started another 7-0 run from Virtus, capped again by Shengelia, who put the hosts back in front. Virtus led 52-51 after 30 minutes.

In the fourth, Larkin's tough jumper and Vincent Poirier's dunk restored the lead for Efes before three triples on consecutive possessions – one by Rodrigue Beaubois and two by Larkin – made it 56-66. A runner from Bryant set a 58-70 score with under five minutes to go. Virtus attempted a rally, holding Efes without a basket for almost four minutes, but Efes made several defensive stands and saw its win over the line.

Dan Oturu, Elijah Bryant and Shane Larkin scored in double figures for the visitors

KK Crvena zvezda grabbed an 77-80 victory at Paris Basketball in Round 1 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Crvena Zvezda spoils the party for Paris, 77-80

In the first-ever Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game hosted at Adidas Arena, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade edged Paris Basketball 77-80 in the French capital in Round 1 of the 2024-25 season.

Nemanja Nedovic paced the winners with 21 points on 5-of-6 three-pointers. His only miss came late in the game as he helped Zvezda rally from a 13-point second-half deficit. Isaiah Canaan added 14 points for Zvezda. TJ Shorts led Paris with 16 points. Nadir Hifi and Maodo Lo each added 12 while Kevarrius Hayes had 10 for the hosts.

Nikola Kalinic got Zvezda going with a three-pointer and Joel Bolomboy erased Hayes's jumper with an alley-oop dunk for a 2-5 lead. Hayes scored again, then Canaan followed a triple with a layup to boost the guests' lead to 4-10. Bolomboy capped a 0-7 run with a tip-in, then Leon Kratzer matched that with a floater and Lo followed a three-pointer with a driving layup to cut Paris's deficit to 11-12. Ognjen Dobric and a red-hot Lo traded layups before Canaan found space for a wide-open triple. Collin Malcolm answered from downtown and Shorts hit his trademark pump-fake jumper to give Paris its first lead, 18-17, after 10 minutes.

Shorts buried consecutive jumpers for a 22-17 Paris lead early in the second quarter. Nedovic struck from beyond the arc and matched Hayes's basket with a wild driving layup. Codi Miller-McIntyre sank a jumper off the dribble and Nedovic buried another three-pointer to complete the guests' comeback, 26-27. Rokas Giedraitis and Lo each joined the three-point shootout, then Malcolm's three-point play put Paris back in charge, 32-30. Nadir Hifi found his first points, Yago dos Santos and Mikael Jantunen traded layups, and Shorts soon boosted his team's lead to 39-33. Canaan hit a jumper but Jantunen and an unstoppable Shorts boosted the hosts' margin to 43-35 at halftime.

Canaan scored in penetration soon after the break, then Tyson Ward single-handedly made it a double-digit game, 47-37. Hayes made a pair of free throws and Hifi added a floater to give Paris a 51-38 advantage. Mike Daum scored down low and erased Hifi's driving layup with a jump hook before Luka Mitrovic brought Zvezda within single digits, 53-45. Miller-McIntyre took over with a fast-break layup, Kalinic added a tip-in and Nedovic got the guests even closer at 53-51 after an 0-11 run. Ward swished a corner triple, Bolomboy stepped up with a reverse layup and Shorts restored a 58-53 Paris lead. Nedovic buried a huge three-pointer and Mitrovic's layup tied it at 58-58 after 30 minutes.

Miller-McIntyre scored around the basket to put Zvezda in charge, 58-60. Ward matched that with a put-back layup and Jantunen buried a three-pointer. An unstoppable Nedovic got help from Giedraitis to keep Zvezda ahead, 63-67, with over seven minutes left. Jantunen kept pacing Paris and Hifi buried a rainbow shot from beyond the arc for a 68-67 Paris lead. Nedovic answered from downtown, Kalinic bettered Lo's short jumper with his own triple and Mitrovic scored down low to make Paris call a timeout at 70-75. Shorts hit a stop-and-pop jumper and matched Miller-McIntyre's basket with an outstanding driving layup that gave Paris hope at 74-77 with a minute left. Hifi and Miller-McIntyre each split free throws, then Hifi returned to the line, hitting both attempts for a 77-78 score with 8.3 seconds remaining. Canaan made foul shots and Hifi could not take a shot before the final buzzer.

Nemanja Nedovic's near-perfect shooting night made it happen


Scottie Wilbekin tore his ACL in Fenerbahce Beko's opening-round victory against Olympiacos BC to start the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Fenerbahce confirms the worst: Scottie Wilbekin has torn his ACL

The fears of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul fans have been confirmed as guard [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) suffered an ACL tear during [his team’s 82-71 win against Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/gritty-fenerbahce-sinks-olympiacos-82-71-thanks-to-second-half-onslaught/) in Round 1 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.  

Wilbekin went down holding his knee in the latter stages of the first quarter and had to be helped off the court by his teammates.

“Our player Scottie Wilbekin suffered an injury to his right knee during the game against Olympiacos on Friday, October 4 (today),” read a statement by Fenerbahce. “After the medical examinations of our player at Acıbadem Ataşehir Hospital, an anterior cruciate ligament tear was detected and an operation is planned. We extend our best wishes to Scottie Wilbekin and hope he recovers as soon as possible.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Scottie Wilbekin’in sağlık durumu hakkında bilgilendirme<br><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/j1c3XgGQFH">https://t.co/j1c3XgGQFH</a> <a href="https://t.co/HlRXljR7A5">pic.twitter.com/HlRXljR7A5</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1842306275058557199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The 31-year-old guard is now in his ninth EuroLeague season – his third as a Fenerbahce player – and has played 242 games in the competition, averaging 13.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals for his career.

The guard is set for a lengthy period on the sidelines