Zalgiris Kaunas defeated ALBA Berlin 77-71 in the first game of the Andrea Trinchieri era in Round 18 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season.

Zalgiris Kaunas opens the Andrea Trinchieri era with 77-71 triumph over ALBA Berlin

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Tomas Dimsa of Zalgiris Kaunas gets away from Malte Delow of ALBA Berlin in Round 18 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Keenan Evans stepped up to ensure his new coach got off to the perfect start at Zalgirio Arena.

Zalgiris opens the Andrea Trinchieri era with 77-71 triumph over ALBA

Zalgiris Kaunas v ALBA Berlin (2024-01-02T18:00:00.000Z)

KK Crvena zvezda had Joel Bolomboy to thank in Round 18 as it grabbed its first-ever EuroLeague win at Fenerbahçe Beko.

Joel Bolomboy led KK Crvena zvezda to historic win at Fenerbahçe Beko on career-best night

Before the game, the picture didn’t look good for Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade as it prepared to face Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Turkiye in Round 18 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. Yet, a [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/)-inspired performance meant Zvezda was able to secure a lot of firsts on Tuesday night.

Not only was [Zvezda’s 76-85 win at Fenerbahce](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-vs-kk-crvena-zvezda/) its first win at Ulker Sports and Events Hall in nine visits, but it was also the first defeat suffered by the Turkish team at home this season and the first loss suffered anywhere since Saras Jasikevicius took charge of the team in mid-December. After all, Fenerbahce was 7-0 at home prior to Zvezda’s victory and 4-0 under Coach Jasikevicius, with two wins at home and two wins on the road.

### Joel Bolomboy had a night to remember

A large reason behind those firsts is down to the play of Bolomboy, who exploded for a career-high 24 points and also posted a career-best 31 PIR. Curiously, both of Zvezda’s road wins this season – the team is now 2-8 on its travels this season – have seen personal-best nights from the 29-year-old big man.

Joel Bolomboy had a career-best 24 points and a career-high 31 PIR as Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade beat Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 76-85 in Round 18 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Bolomboy's highlights vs. Fenerbahce

Just a couple of weeks ago, on December 21, 2023, Bolomboy netted what was then a career-high 20 points as Zvezda beat Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 92-98 in Belgrade. In that same game, he recorded a 24 PIR, which was his second-highest mark but is now his third-best total.

“It definitely feels good \[to get career highs in points and PIR\]. I actually scored my career high a couple of games ago, so I got a new career high,” commented Bolomboy after Zvezda’s win at Fenerbahce.

“It feels good, but more importantly it feels good to win and find consistency as a team, especially to get this road win. It’s our second road win of the season. The first road win we had was against Maccabi in Belgrade, so we don’t really count that as a road win, but we’ll take it.”

Against Fenerbahce on Tuesday night, the Turkish side’s trio of centers – Johnathan Motley, Sertac Sanli and Georgios Papagiannis – struggled to contain Bolomboy all night long. As such, the Zvezda center got off to a strong start with 9 points, before adding a further 7 points in the second. By halftime, his stats read: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 0 turnovers. Not bad at all.

Bolomboy was limited to 4 points and 1 rebound in the third quarter, then the same figures in the fourth quarter. But, he came up clutch with some free throws, finishing 8-of-9 on the night, and ended with a +4 in the plus/minus column. Without his efforts, it’s hard to imagine Zvezda coming away with its Round 18 win.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" 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> R18 <br><br>⭐️ JOEL BOLOMBOY <br><br>📊 24pts, 8/9 2FG, 8/10 FT, 6 reb; <br>PIR 31<br><br>Career high from our big man 👏<br><br> <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/FYrdfMnzYb">pic.twitter.com/FYrdfMnzYb</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1742273256755695703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Mike Tobey gave Bolomboy a bit of a chance for a breather, but head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos didn’t hesitate to bring the six-year EuroLeague veteran back into the game at the earliest opportunity. Freddie Gillespie also came off the bench to his debut for Zvezda, but he only featured for 2:48 minutes.

Looking ahead to the Belgrade derby against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on Thursday night, Zvezda will need a similar performance from Bolomboy if it is to upset its cross-city neighbor. But, Coach Sfairopoulos’s squad certainly took a big step in the right direction on Tuesday night, which should be a warning to Partizan.

More Crvena Zvezda News

Joel Bolomboy of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in action against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 18 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The center, playing in his sixth EuroLeague season, had his best performance to date in Round 18.

Joel Bolomboy led Zvezda to historic win at Fenerbahce on career-best night

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-01-02T17:45:00.000Z)

KK Crvena zvezda secured its first-ever road win at Fenerbahçe Beko with a 76-85 triumph in Istanbul in Round 18 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season.

KK Crvena zvezda shocks Fenerbahçe Beko on the road, 76-85

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Nikola Topic of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in action against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 18 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Serbian side secured its first-ever win at Ulker Sports and Events Hall.

Zvezda shocks Fenerbahce on the road, 76-85

Check out some bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Rounds 18 and 19 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Bold predictions for Rounds 18 and 19

### Trinchieri gets off to the perfect start with Zalgiris

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

The 5-12 Zalgiris Kaunas became the latest EuroLeague club to change its head coach this week, with Andrea Trinchieri coming in to replace Kazys Maksvytis. During his introductory press conference, the new Zalgiris boss stated that “10th place (the final play-in spot) is not on Mars. It is on Saturn.” Well, with Zalgiris currently four games behind Valencia Basket, currently in 10th, I expect Trinchieri’s charges to make up some ground by securing a win at home to ALBA Berlin and then again on the road at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in this double-round week. It won’t be enough to rise up to 10th just yet, but it will mark the ideal start for Coach Trinchieri and give the Zalgiris players hope in this second half of the EuroLeague Regular Season. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andrea Trinchieri is very motivated for a new challenge! 🧠 <a href="https://t.co/bkIZiIAxgX">pic.twitter.com/bkIZiIAxgX</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1741921610431353145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Fenerbahce will suffer its first loss of the Saras era

#### *by Frankie Sachs*

It had to come sometime. And that time is this week. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul is 4-0 with Sarunas Jasikevicus at the helm, with victories over AS Monaco and Zalgiris Kaunas at home, in Berlin against ALBA and across town against Anadolu Efes in the Istanbul derby. It has averaged 86.5 points in those games. It will need to score in bunches as both of its opponents this week average over 80 points per game; Round 19 opponent Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv is second in the league with 86.5 points per game.

After what shapes up as a tricky Round 18 home game against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade on Tuesday, Fenerbahce must travel to Kalnapilio Arena in Panevezys, Lithuania, to meet Maccabi on Thursday. The last six games between these teams have been won by the home team, but Fenerbahce won't have too much of a home-court advantage in this game. Meanwhile, many of Maccabi's key players have been absent from domestic competition and should have relatively fresh legs for this second game in a double round. Even if Fenerbahce rolls by Zvezda, the winning streak should come to an end in Lithuania.

### Monaco is this week's road warrior

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

AS Monaco faces a pivotal week with two games on the road. I liked what I saw against FC Barcelona, not just because of the 20-point win against a EuroLeague contender, but the attitude the team had on the court: always wanting more, being focused and also enjoying the moment. Mike James was all smiles in the second half and you can tell he was enjoying himself. When a player of his caliber is happy, anything good can happen.

This is way I predict that Monaco should get two road wins this week, against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Olympiacos Piraeus. I know Maccabi is on a roll lately and Olympiacos has finally taken off once getting some players back from injury. But like I said, Monaco seems to be in a very sweet moment right now. When James is full of confidence, he is arguably the best playmaker in the league. All players who were with Monaco the last two seasons have plenty of pending issues against Olympiacos, after losing to the Reds in the 2022 playoffs and the 2023 semifinals. Kemba Walker is playing better and Petr Cornelie has given Monaco plenty of versatility at the 'five' position. Expect Monaco to keep rolling and be this week's road warrior, beating Maccabi in Belgrade and Olympiacos at Peace and Friendship Stadium.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🏹 <a href="https://t.co/1LoWrlIn0Y">pic.twitter.com/1LoWrlIn0Y</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1742132666718109802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Bayern will come home with a win from Italy

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

FC Bayern Munich starts 2024 with a road trip to Italy where it will first visit Virtus Segafredo Bologna on Wednesday then travel to play EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on Friday. In the first part of the regular season, Bayern downed both of these opponents on its home floor in back-to-back rounds. Head coach Pablo Laso's men first beat Virtus 90-76 in Round 11 behind Serge Ibaka's MVP-of-the-Round performance, then improbably edged out Milan 91-84 in Round 12 after Ibaka beat the buzzer with a triple at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime. Both Virtus and Milan have a good momentum, but so does Bayern, and I believe it will not come home from Italy empty-handed. Bayern will beat at least one, if not both, of its Italian opponents this week.

Serge Ibaka was a force for Bayern against Virtus

### Panathinaikos will win in Spain

#### *by Frank Lawlor* 

Among the teams feeling very confident these days is Panathinaikos, which has not won in Spain for more than six years against any team but has road dates at Baskonia and Valencia this week. The Greens will take home at least one victory from Spain for the first time since beating Baskonia there on March 23, 2017. A lot has come together for Panathinaikos during its current four-game winning streak, during which time both Baskonia and Valencia have struggled. And as visiting head coach Ergin Ataman has made clear, he's not part of that negative streak, having won often in Spain when he was with Anadolu Efes Istanbul. With a healthy Mathias Lessort at center, defensive ace Jerian Grant shutting down opposing scorers, Marius Grigonis filling in blanks, Kendrick Nunn scoring in bunches and Kostas Sloukas stirring the mix with more and more confidence, the Greens have won three in a row on the road, too. Expect that to continue with at least one more road win this week.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v FC Bayern Munich (2024-01-03T19:30:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-01-03T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v AS Monaco (2024-01-02T19:05:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-01-05T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v FC Bayern Munich (2024-01-05T19:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v AS Monaco (2024-01-04T19:15:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-01-04T17:45:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-01-04T19:00:00.000Z)

It's hard to recall a busier spell of roster moves so early in any Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season than over past couple of months.

Before the start of the second half of the regular season on Tuesday, there have been no fewer than 18 new players registered by 10 different teams since November 1.

Rosters roller coaster promises new year novelties

Before the start of the second half of the regular season on Tuesday, there have been no fewer than 18 new players registered by 10 different teams since November 1.

Of course, the standings offer one reason why, as just five wins separate third and 15th place. With 17 rounds left to play there is no telling how fortunes will change. So, with still five weeks to go until rosters close for good, teams are doing what they can to up the competitive balance.

### Players eligible for new teams this week

With by-laws stipulating that no player could change EuroLeague teams after January 1, a sizeable number did so in advance of that deadline

Guards were at a premium as first [Naz Mitrou-Long left Zalgiris Kaunas for Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-signs-guard-mitrou-long/). Next, [Shabazz Napier moved from Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade to his old club, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olimpia-milano-brings-back-playmaker-shabazz-napier/), displacing former All-EuroLeague point man [Kevin Pangos, who landed at Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kevin-pangos-seals-move-from-olimpia-milano-to-valencia-basket/). In between, [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade picked up Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/partizan-signs-guard-jaleen-smith-from-virtus/), who had moved to Virtus Segafredo Bologna just last summer.

Virtus was part of the frontcourt action, however, as it surprised some by getting [Ante Zizic from Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-inks-ante-zizic-from-efes/) over the weekend. That move came a couple of weeks after [Zvezda had set up the arrival of Freddie Gillespie from FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kk-crvena-zvezda-brings-in-freddie-gillespie/).

The best plays of Kevin Pangos for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.

Kevin Pangos's top plays for Milan

None of those moves would have been possible after January 1, but now all those players are eligible for the Round 18 games on Tuesday and Wednesday that mark the start of the second leg of the regular season.

All can be expected to have considerable impact, with Napier likely to be called upon to fill a scoring role immediately for injury-riddled Milan while his predecessor Pangos will likely be key to Valencia's attempts to improve its low ranking in both [assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-teams/?size=1000&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=Assistances&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=perGame) and, especially, [three-pointers made](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-teams/?size=1000&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=FieldGoalsMade3&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=perGame).

Those are not the only newly-eligible players in Round 18, however. Also in the last few days, [Virtus added shooting threat Rihards Lomasz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-signs-guard-lomazs/), who has reunited with his Latvian national team head coach Luca Banchi, while [Zvezda called back from loan tall point guard Nikola Topic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zvezda-brings-young-star-nikola-topic-back-from-loan/), one of the most promising talents in the world.

### Plenty of new faces in last two months already

All those moves within the EuroLeague that will impact teams going forward come on the heels of 10 more new players registered since November 1. The biggest mover in signing players from outside the EuroLeague has been Efes, in part because of injuries, with center [Daniel Oturu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/), forward [Mike Daum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-daum/012786/) and guard [Ridvan Oncel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ridvan-oncel/010400/) all arriving in the last eight weeks. Already, Oturu and Daum scored in double digits eight times between them in seven rounds, showing how quickly new faces can adapt.

The same could be said for Partizan big man [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), who in a short time are already among their teams' top performers. [Edmond Sumner](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edmond-sumner/012787/) and [Austin Hollins](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/austin-hollins/009917/) at Zalgiris have the potential to do the same, while new Olympiacos big man [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/) has already proven what he can do in the EuroLeague. [Chris Chiozza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-chiozza/012765/) at Baskonia, [Justin Anderson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/justin-anderson/012795/) at Valencia and Oncel at Efes and are lesser-known quantities poised to make the best of their first EuroLeague opportunities.

The best plays of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan guard Shabazz Napier in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Shabazz Napier's best plays for Milan, 2022-23

### Injured stars due back soon

To that dizzying amount of moves, fans can also expect to welcome back stars who have been out for extended periods. Last week, one former All-EuroLeague selection, [Vladimir Lucic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vladimir-lucic/001288/), returned for Bayern. Two former MVPs, [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) of Milan and [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, are waiting in the wings, as is former Final Four MVP [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) of Efes. That's not to mention veterans like [Victor Claver](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/victor-claver/000556/) of Valencia, [Ioannis Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ioannis-papapetrou/005161/) of Panthinaikos, [Jordan Mickey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-mickey/008847/) of Virtus, [Maodo Lo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/maodo-lo/007032/) of Milan and [Marcus Eriksson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marcus-eriksson/003151/) of ALBA Berlin, among other injured players who could yet impact the playoffs race.

With six coaching changes, as well, since late October, you might be wondering what teams haven't changed at all since the start of the season. There are four, to be precise, and perhaps not surprisingly they occupy spots in the top seven of the standings: runaway leader and defending champion Real Madrid, third-place FC Barcelona, fifth-place AS Monaco and seventh-place Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

With the deadline for signing non-EuroLeague players still five weeks away, on February 7, they still have time to make changes, too. But time will tell if standing pat or tinkering with rosters will be the winning choice this season.

It's hard to recall a busier spell of roster moves so early in any Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season than over past couple of months.

The new year begins with a bang with Rounds 18 and 19 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague being played out on during the first week of January. It is the beginning of a pivotal period in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge where the best managers could separate themselves from the pack, just as the elite teams on the court will be aiming to do. Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs, co-hosts of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, have all the lowdown on what to look for this week in Episode No. 16.

Fantasy Challenge Podcast: Entering a pivotal period

The new year begins with a bang with Rounds 18 and 19 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague being played out on during the first week of January. It is the beginning of a pivotal period in the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) where the best managers could separate themselves from the pack, just as the elite teams on the court will be aiming to do. Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs, co-hosts of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, have all the lowdown on what to look for this week in Episode No. 16.

Gancedo and Sachs name their fantasy MVPs for the first half of the regular season, discuss which mid-season transfers they like the most, which players to target from the ‘Clasico’ and which teams have the best and toughest schedules this week. There is no better address for top EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge analysis, so listen up!

The Saras Jasikevicius era at Fenerbahçe Beko has got off to the perfect start, with the club going 4-0 in the EuroLeague under the Lithuanian head coach.

Saras Jasikevicius appointment is already paying dividends for Fenerbahçe Beko

There was a collective gasp among the European basketball community when [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul chose to part ways with head coach Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-beko-parts-ways-with-dimitris-itoudis/) on December 13. [Saras Jasikevicius was named as his successor one day later](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-names-sarunas-jasikevicius-head-coach-through-2026/), and since then Fenerbahce has gone a perfect 4-0. So far, so good, you could say.

The last of those wins came on Thursday evening, as the Jasikevicius-led Fenerbahce leaned on a late surge [to defeat cross-town rival Anadolu Efes Istanbul 84-89](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-anadolu-efes-sk-vs-fenerbahce-beko/) in the Istanbul derby. That win was impressive in itself, as derby victories always are, but notably it improved Fenerbahce to a 10-7 record and saw it rise to fifth in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings.

The Turkish capital comes to a standstill for a highly-anticipated derby and the first on the European stage.for the 23/24 season. Efes look to bounce back from a loss to Baskonia despite 23 points from Shane Larkin, whilst Fenerbahce remain unbeaten under the stewardship of Sarunas Jasikevicius.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Round 17 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Even more notable is the fact that Fenerbahce has now won back-to-back games on the road, [having defeated ALBA Berlin 82-91](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-alba-berlin-vs-fenerbahce-beko/) in Jasikevicius’s third game in charge. As surprising as the dismissal was of Coach Itoudis, with Fenerbahce having gone a perfect 5-0 at home, which included [a memorable 100-99 overtime triumph against the previously unbeaten Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-fenerbahce-basketball-vs-real-madrid/), the Turkish side was a dismal 1-7 on the road under the Greek tactician. A real Jekyll and Hyde sort of team.

### Jasikevicius has brought consistency

What Jasikevicius has been able to achieve in his brief time back at the club he briefly played for in the 2010-11 season is bring a bit of consistency. For example, following Fenerbahce’s win against Real under Coach Itoudis, the team then went on to lose its next two games, which were on the road [at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-saski-baskonia-vs-fenerbahce-basketball/) and [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-barca-basket-vs-fenerbahce-beko/). Rather than put a run of results together, it was one step forward and two steps back.

It is still too early in Jasikevicius’s reign to comment too much on the playing style, but what is notable is the way in which some players have certainly played at a higher level since his arrival. In all four of his games on the Fenerbahce bench, the Lithuanian play-caller has opted for a starting backcourt of Nick Calathes and Scottie Wilbekin, and both have repaid his faith to this point.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A win in the Turkish Derby 🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBBasketbol</a> get the Dub and the team surrounds <a href="https://twitter.com/Nick_Calathes15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nick_Calathes15</a> 👏🏼 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/7dXXDM5NiR">pic.twitter.com/7dXXDM5NiR</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1740454000141508770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wilbekin averaged 16.7 points and 4.7 assists in the first three games under Jasikevicius, up from his previous averages of 12.6 points and 2.7 assists, but he had a relatively quiet night against Efes with 6 points. He did, however, match his season high for assists with 7.

### Calathes became the hero at Efes

Calathes, meanwhile, has seen a major jump in his minutes and in Round 17 he stepped up big time on the offensive end, scoring 17 points, which is his highest tally since joining Fenerbahce in the summer of 2022. The veteran point guard was particularly clutch in the fourth quarter against Efes, which saw him earn plenty of plaudits afterward.

After netting a triple to give the visitors a 4-point lead, 78-82, with 3:44 minutes remaining, Calathes stepped up again by knocking down his second three-pointer of the quarter to put Fenerbahce up by 5, 82-87, with 29.6 seconds to go. That second make from beyond the arc led to a big celebration among the Fenerbahce players, as they knew the victory was all but secured.

Nick Calathes had 17 points, 1 rebound, 8 assists and 3 steals as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul beat Anadolu Efes Istanbul 84-89 in Round 17 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Calathes's highlights vs. Efes

The history between Jasikevicius and Calathes has been well documented, but there’s no denying that the No. 33 has been playing at his top level since the arrival of his former boss at FC Barcelona. They say that winning cures everything, and for Jasikevicius and Calathes it seems that each victory acts like the perfect remedy.

Despite going 4-0 through his first four games as Fenerbahce boss, Jasikevicius is not resting on his laurels and instead called for calm as he wants his team to learn from the Efes game, having trailed 52-47 at the break before winning the second half 32-42 en route to an 84-89 triumph.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A first win in the Turkish Derby for Saras as coach👏<br><br>It’s all smiles with <a href="https://twitter.com/melihmahmutoglu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@melihmahmutoglu</a> 😄 <a href="https://t.co/Gi7Jgfkebs">pic.twitter.com/Gi7Jgfkebs</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1740458212917166332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“It’s important not to get carried away,” he stressed in the post-game flash interview. “I think we now have to focus on why we started so sluggish in such a big game, and we also have to understand what got us to play such a great second half. You always have to learn. Obviously, the positive is how we managed to leave them on 30 points in the second half in their gym.”

### A chance to further rise up the standings

The good news for Fenerbahce is that its next four games are all at home, although its Round 19 clash against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv will take place in Lithuania following Turkish and Israel government recommendations.

Fenerbahce is 7-0 at Ulker Sports and Events Hall, with Jasikevicius contributing towards two of those wins after overseeing [an 86-74 decision against AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-vs-as-monaco-basket/) and [an 80-78 victory over Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-vs-zalgiris-kaunas/) in his first two games in charge. Therefore, if Fenerbahce is able to maintain its perfect home record through the next four rounds, it would improve to a 14-7 mark and likely surge further up the standings.

All of that is hypothetical, of course, but with Fenerbahce playing as it has done in the early weeks of the Jasikevicius reign, it’s certainly imaginable. It has been just over two weeks since the Lithuanian’s appointment, but the results are already beginning to bear fruit.

More Fenerbahce News

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach Saras Jasikevicius celebrates after his team's 84-89 win at Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 17 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

A win in the Istanbul derby is the latest feat accomplished since the Lithuanian coach’s arrival.

Saras Jasikevicius appointment is already paying dividends for Fenerbahce

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-12-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Since the modern playoffs system was established in 2005, the top Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players and teams have amassed some amazing numbers. Check out the single-game, single-season and all-time playoff records below in 13 different statistical categories.

EuroLeague Playoff records: Points 

**SEE ALSO**: [PIR ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-pir)| [PTS](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-points) | [2FG](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-two-pointers-made) | [3FG](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-three-pointers-made) | [FT](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-free-throws-made) | [2FG%](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-two-point) | [3FG%](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-three-point) | [FT%](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-free-throw) | [TR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-rebounds) | [OR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-offensive-rebounds) | [AS](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-assists) | [ST](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-steals) | [BL](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/playoff-records-blocks)

TOTAL POINTS: Vassilis Spanoulis 

SCORING AVERAGE: Vassilis Spanoulis 

POINTS PER 40 MINUTES: Juan Carlos Navarro 

POINTS, ALL-TIME, PLAYERS

MOST TOTAL POINTS: FC Barcelona 

HIGHEST SCORING AVERAGE: CSKA Moscow 

POINTS PER 40 MINUTES: CSKA Moscow 

POINTS, ALL-TIME, TEAMS

Playoff records: Points

If you need a center for your EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge teams in Rounds 18 and 19, we’ve got you covered!

Fantasy Challenge: Round 18

The two-round weeks can be tricky times in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, but if you dig deep, there seems to always be buried treasure. As we enter Round 18, here are five players who could aid your fantasy team and all of them are centers!  

[Danko Brankovic, FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/danko-brankovic/007639/) (5.9 credits) – This may be a bit of a gamble, but sometimes that’s what you need to succeed in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge. With Serge Ibaka out last week, Brankovic produced his finest EuroLeague performance to date with 11 points and 8 rebounds for a PIR of 16 in less than 20 minutes. Twice so far Ibaka has sat out one of the games in a double-round week and when Ibaka is resting, Brankovic could be your man.   

[Laurynas Birutis, Zalgiris Kaunas ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/)(7.8 credits) – How does a player who has averaged a PIR of 17.0 over his last three games and only costs 7.8 credits sound? In that stretch, Birutis has averaged 13.3 points on 17 of 21 shooting (80.9%) and 5.0 rebounds per game. New coach Andrea Trinchieri will surely respect those numbers. Now may be the time to climb aboard Birutis’s shoulders to see just how far he can carry your team!

Danko Brankovic

Laurynas Birutis

Joel Bolomboy

Dan Oturu

Roman Sorkin

[Joel Bolomboy, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) (10.7 credits) – During the month of December, 10 different centers averaged 16.0 or more fantasy points and none of them is cheaper than Bolomboy. Over those seven games, Bolomboy played 26.7 minutes, third most among all centers, averaging 11.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Over the last two games, only two centers have posted more than his 42.4 fantasy points. Bolomboy is enjoying the best season of his career and by a wide margin. He has already scored more points (159) during the 2023-24 season than in any of his previous five campaigns in the competition and he should be seriously considered by fantasy managers as a mainstay.

[Dan Oturu, Anadolu Efes Istanbul ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dan-oturu/012788/)(12.5 credits) – After three games of showing potential when he first joined the club, Oturu has been a monster over the last three, firmly establishing himself as a force in the paint. In that time the big man has averaged 17.3 points on 23-of-27 shooting (85.2%), 7.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks for a PIR of 23.7. This week, with road games at staunch defenses Valencia Basket and Real Madrid, we find out if Oturu is truly matchup-proof.

[Roman Sorkin, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/roman-sorkin/011219/) (9.4 credits) – If you are in the market for a moderately priced center in great shape, Sorkin could be the answer. The big man has been dominating domestically, where he has averaged 25.3 points and 10.3 rebounds over his last three games, and he has twice scored in double figures in his last three EuroLeague appearances. Sorkin has averaged 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and a PIR of 11.7 in his last three games and had a PIR of 13 the last time he faced Monaco.

If you need a center for your EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge teams this week, we’ve got you covered!