The first Belgrade derby of the season takes place tonight, as KK Partizan (1-3) hosts KK Crvena zvezda (1-3) at Stark Arena in Round 5 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season.

EuroLeague Live Blog: KK Partizan vs. KK Crvena zvezda

<incrowd-live-blog id="653a3ab2222dfe1829f62cf7" client-id="EUROLEAGUE" server="standard"></incrowd-live-blog><script src="https://live-blog.incrowdsports.com/index.js"></script>

EuroLeague Live Blog: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

Partizan wins rollercoaster Belgrade Derby, 88-86

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-10-26T16:30:00.000Z)

### ASVEL's Frank Jackson will be unleashed under Pozzecco

#### *By Frankie Sachs*

We can only guess what LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne will look like when it hosts Virtus Segafredo Bologna on Friday. But we can make an educated guess. So first the facts…

[Frank Jackson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/frank-jackson/012732/) is coming off his finest game yet with ASVEL; he went for 25 points on good shooting and 3 assists in 28 minutes at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul last week. Jackson has been an accomplished scorer at every level in his career. ASVEL sacked Coach TJ Parker after that game and his replacement, Gianmarco Pozzecco, started working with the team on Wednesday. That, of course, leaves him very little time to work wonders with ASVEL, but what Pozzecco can do is give confidence to his new charges.

A slick passing playmaker in his days on the court, I expect Pozzecco to put his faith in the guards and for Jackson to feed off that belief and reward the coach handsomely.

Frank Jackson Top Plays from 10/01/2023 to 10/26/2023

Frank Jackson's highlights during the first rounds of the 2023-24 season

### Mirotic will avenge Milan in Berlin

#### *By Frank Lawlor*

On Thursday, [ALBA Berlin (0-4) and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (1-2)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/37/) will break a 4-4 tie in victories between them since they first met in EuroLeague play back in late 2019. That includes ALBA's sweep of Milan last season, capped by a resounding 20-point victory in the German capital early this year. This time, however, the visitors from Italy have an ace up their sleeve. Power forward [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) has been an ALBA killer throughout his career. He is 10-0 with his various teams against ALBA over the years, with averages of 17.1 points and 21.9 PIR despite playing only 22.9 minutes per game. His career shooting accuracy against ALBA is off the charts: 77.6% on two-pointers and 43.1% on threes. [Maodo Lo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/maodo-lo/007032/) may be returning for Milan to face his former team, but Mirotic will be the man as he upholds his perfect record vs. ALBA and avenges his new team's two losses to the Berliners last season.

### Baskonia will get another big win at OAKA

#### *By Igor Petrinovic*

Earlier this week, Baskonia had a social media post reminding us of one of the biggest wins in club history, its 71-74 road win over Panathinaikos in a deciding [Game 3 of the 2006 EuroLeague Playoffs.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2005-06/panathinaikos-tau-ceramica-vitoria-gasteiz/E2005/227/) Post included some vintage celebration photos of the victory that sent Baskonia to the Final Four. That was the first of four wins Baskonia has registered in Athens this century, as it has also won [Game 3 of the 2016 playoffs](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2015-16/panathinaikos-athens-laboral-kutxa-vitoria-gasteiz/E2015/242/) to complete a sweep of the Greens. Neither teams enters this game on an up-swing, both at 1-3 records. But there is less pressure on Baskonia, than on Panathinaikos which has lost two overtime home games so far. Additionally, Baskonia has been [stellar rebounding the ball so far this season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-teams/?size=1000&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=TotalRebounds&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=perGame), ranking second with 39.3 rebounds per game, including pulling down third-most 14.8 [on the offensive glass](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-teams/?size=1000&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=OffensiveRebounds&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=perGame). That rebound desire is what I see leading Baskonia to an upset win in the Greek capital.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🏀 Este viernes visitamos una pista que nos trae muchos recuerdos... <br><br>🔝 2006 - 𝙀𝙇 𝙊𝘼𝙆𝘼𝙕𝙊 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/2LtJKcJHBU">pic.twitter.com/2LtJKcJHBU</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1717088857835847865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### LeDay will lead Partizan to Serbian derby win

#### *By Javier Gancedo*

Round 5 starts with a bang, as [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade takes on Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/39/) at Stark Arena. Last season, Zvezda beat Partizan 73-76 in the first-ever EuroLeague Serbian derby and big man [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/) did not have his most inspired night, getting 4 points, 4 rebounds and 3 fouls for a PIR of 2. A year later, LeDay is arguably playing some of the best basketball of his career, averaging 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 18.5. He can be effective at the '4' and '5' positions, using his post skills and mid-range game to find advantages against Luka Mitrovic, Marko Simonovic, Mike Tobey or Joel Bolomboy. And if someone is a master on finding the opponents' weaknesses and making the most out it, that's Partizan coaching genius Zeljko Obradovic, so I predict Partizan wins this time and LeDay has a strong performance.

### Real Madrid will show its champion’s pedigree in El Clásico

#### *By Geoff Gillingham*

Both [Real Madrid and FC Barcelona come into the 35th installment of the EuroLeague’s El Clásico](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fc-barcelona/E2023/40/) with a 4-0 record after sweeping the floor with their opponents to this point. But, at WiZink Center, one of the two teams will see their 100% record come to an end. For me, it will be the reigning EuroLeague champion, Real, that advances to 5-0. We might be just a few weeks into the new EuroLeague season, but Real has already flexed its muscles sufficiently and done enough for me to think that we are seeing the 2023-24 champion right before our eyes. Adding Facu Campazzo to this roster has made Los Blancos an even bigger threat, and I expect them to record a statement win against a Barca team that has admittedly been flying under first-year head coach Roger Grimau.

Real Madrid Top Plays from 10/01/2023 to 10/26/2023

Real Madrid Top Plays during the first 5 rounds of 2023-24

Bold predictions for Round 5

FC Bayern Munich v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-10-27T18:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos Athens v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-10-27T18:15:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2023-10-27T18:00:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Valencia Basket (2023-10-27T17:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v FC Barcelona (2023-10-26T18:45:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2023-10-26T19:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-10-26T19:00:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2023-10-26T18:00:00.000Z)

### Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos head coach

"All games are must-win games, especially at home. We beat Bayern and we lost two in overtime. All games are important, because in the EuroLeague, playing at home gives you a boost, but I don't think we used that boost as a team. Not on the court nor off the court. It doesn't make any difference playing at home or on the road: we must play always gret. Baskonia is a great team. OK, they only had a win so far, but they are dangerous in offense with Howard, Marinkovic, MOneke, Costello... They play with a lot of threes, so the key for the game will be defense."

Game News

Two teams looking for a return to winning ways meet in Athens as Panathinaikos (1-3) hosts Baskonia (1-3). The heroics of all-action Chima Moneke – 17.5 points and 6.8 rebounds this season – were not enough to prevent Baskonia from suffering two home defeats last week, and the Spanish team needs to improve its shooting accuracy after making just 47.2% of two-pointers and 31.1% threes so far, ranking 16th and 18th, respectively, in those categories. Panathinaikos, which also lost twice last week, will counter Moneke's athleticism and hustle with its own human highlights reel, Mathias Lessort, who has settled quickly at his new team with strong averages of 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Pre-game quotes: Panathinaikos vs. Baskonia

Since their world-renowned rivalry took to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stage, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have never battled before to retain a perfect record.

Something new under the sun of El Clásico

They have met in more consequential Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games. Everything short of a championship final, in fact. There have been three semifinals in the last decade, all won by Real Madrid. Before that, their two playoff series to reach the Final Four were both won by FC Barcelona.

All told, after 34 meetings on EuroLeague courts since 2005, [their record stands at 17-17](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fc-barcelona/E2023/40/#comparison), which seems quite fitting for the most famous club rivalry in sports. But [on Thursday, in their 35th such EuroLeague showdown,](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fc-barcelona/E2023/40/) Real and Barcelona will face off for the first time as unbeaten co-leaders with sole possession of first place as the prize. Not even for last season's earliest *El Clásico* ever in the EuroLeague, in Round 2, were both undefeated, due to Barca having lost its home opener to Olympiacos Piraeus.

Until the new round-robin format came along in 2016, guaranteeing two such face-offs per season on the EuroLeague stage, all but two of their previous 20 meetings were in the Top 16, playoffs or Final Four. Starting in 2016, the best combined record they brought to this showdown was 10-4 in 2019, but first place was not up for grabs that time.

Tonight, these two nearly century-old rivals arrive as the only perfect 4-0 teams in the EuroLeague, and to the victor will go the spoils of riding alone atop the standings.

How good have they both been so far?

Well, [on offense](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/), they are ranked first (Real, 90.8 ppg.) and second (Barca, 89.5) in scoring; tied for second in assists (22.0 apg.); second (Real, 12.3) and third (Barca, 11.8) in three-pointers made per game; second (Barca, 44.8%) and third (Madrid, 42.2%) in three-point accuracy; first (Barca, 2.1 to 1) and second (Real, 1.9 to 1) in assist-to-turnover ratio; and, consequently, first (Barca, 114.0 per game) and second (Real, 107.3) in team performance index rating.

[On the other end of the court](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/), they are first (Barca, 27.0) and second (Real, 26.3) in defensive rebounds, and first (Real, 3.5) and third (Barca, 3.0) in blocks. Barca also ranks first in defending three-point shots, holding opponents to a rate of 29.3% accuracy, while Real ranks second in defending two-pointers at 47.8%.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is dominance. But which team is flying high enough to dominate tonight?

Logic says that the defending Euroleague champion playing on its home floor and having won their sole meeting so far, the preseason Spanish Super Cup, gives Real the edge. But, of course, this is *El Clásico*, so where the game is played and what happened in the past doesn't apply. It's all about seizing this moment and becoming part of the legend of this rivalry.

All-Access El Clasico!

Real is healthier up until now, with stalwarts [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) and [Gabriel Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) on form again while floor generals [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/), [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) and [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) orchestrate the offense by choosing between themselves and constant threats like [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/), [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/), [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/), [Fabien Causeur](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/fabien-causeur/001392/), [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) and [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rudy-fernandez/bmt/). Real's greatest strengths at the moment are depth and continuity. Any one or two or three players can take over, and after years of familiarity, Real's players know before any opponent who those protagonists of the night are most likely to be.

Barca's greatest strength is hunger. To complement core veteran stars [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/), [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/), [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/), [Alex Abrines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alex-abrines/003478/), [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) and [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/), the roster was restocked over the summer with players who can't wait to put their imprint on big games like tonight's. Center Willy Hernangomez will go against his old team, Real. Forward Jabari Parker is already showing he can adapt his vast talents to a new brand of basketball. Combo guard Dario Brizuela is getting his long-awaited opportunity in the big-time. And local product Joel Parra is poised to make his mark on a rivalry he grew up watching on TV. [Laprovittola is a last-minute scratch due to injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/nico-laprovittola-fc-barcelona-to-miss-el-clasico-with-groin-injury/), but that won't lessen the motivation of his teammates.

Just three weeks will have passed at tipoff since the EuroLeague's opening night and already we have a first in this competitive drama, perhaps the two biggest sporting brands on Earth undefeated and going head-to-head to stay that way.

The basketball gods couldn't have scripted it any better.

Sergio Rodriguez of Real Madrid is pressurized by James Nnaji of FC Barcelona during last season's El Clásico in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Semifinals.

FC Barcelona Bàsquet will be without guard Nico Laprovittola for tonight's El Clásico against Real Madrid in Round 5 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season.

Nico Laprovittola to miss El Clásico with groin injury

FC Barcelona has confirmed that guard [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) will miss tonight's Clásico against Real Madrid after suffering a groin injury. While the club does not state now long he will be unavailable for, the only certainty is that he will not be on the court at WiZink Center in Round 5.

"Nicolas Laprovittola will be out for tonight's game at WiZink Center," Barca confirmed in a tweet. "The Argentine, who has discomfort in his left adductor (groin), will not be available for El Clásico. His evolution \[recovery-wise\] will mark his availability for the next matches."

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">[𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐄̀𝐃𝐈𝐂]<br><br>Nicolás Laprovittola serà baixa per al partit d&#39;aquest vespre al WiZink Center. L&#39;argentí, amb molèsties a l&#39;adductor esquerre, no serà al Clàssic. La seva evolució marcarà la seva disponibilitat de cara als propers partits. <a href="https://t.co/Pf9R8UspXm">pic.twitter.com/Pf9R8UspXm</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1717507495642411204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Laprovittola's impressive start to the season

The 33-year-old has been playing at a very high level for Barca in the early weeks of this season, averaging 13.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and an 18.5 PIR as the *Blaugrana* started the campaign with a 4-0 record. Laprovittola scored a double-digit number of points in the first three rounds – 13 against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, 17 against Olympiacos Piraeus and 20 against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade – before having a 5-point night against FC Bayern Munich.

The top plays of FC Barcelona guard Nico Laprovittola through the first four rounds of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Nico Laprovittola's highlights so far this season

Laprovittola has also done a good job of laying the table for his Barca teammates, dishing a total of 27 assists – 8 against Efes, 7 against Olympiacos and 6 apiece against Olympiacos and Bayern – which is the fifth most of any player so far this season.

There's no denying that Laprovittola will be a miss for Barca against Real, but the *Blaugrana* are still able to call upon the likes of Tomas Satoransky, Rokas Jokubaitis and Dario Brizuela at the guard positions.

More Barcelona News

Nico Laprovittola in action for FC Barcelona during a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game this season.

It is unclear how long the Argentine guard will be out for.

Here you can find all the latest injury news surrounding all registered players in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season to get your Fantasy Challenge teams up to date.

Latest EuroLeague injury news

Follow here all the latest injury information for registered players in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season as reported by the clubs and get your [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home?_ga=2.101462721.1199459303.1696273873-903329349.1669636775) teams up to date!

**ALBA Berlin**

[Yanni Wetzell will be out until mid-November with an ankle injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/albas-yanni-wetzell-out-six-weeks/)

Khalifa Koumadje (knee) has missed the first fiveEuroLeague games. His status is uncertain for Round 5 vs. Milan.

Elias Rapieque suffered a broken hand and will be out until a least November.

Marcus Eriksson is out indefinitely with plantar tendonitis.

**Anadolu Efes Istanbul**

Elijah Bryant, who hasn't played since Round 1, is expected to travel to play Olympiacos in Round 5..

Erten Gazi is unavailable for Round 5 due to injury.

Salih Altuntas, Efe Demirel, Melih Tunca and Burakcan Yildizli are all not active for Round 5.

Erkan Yilmaz is questionable for Round 5.

**AS Monaco**

[Jordan Loyd is out following a mid-August back surgery](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-loyd-2-3-months-out/) and unavailable vs. Maccabi for Round 5.

**Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz**

Nikos Rogkavopoulos is out for Round 5 at Panathinaikos with a right calf injury.

Khalifa Diop missed Round 4 with back problems and is not expected to play in Round 5.

Chima Moneke has missed practices due to a hip injury and is questionable.

Dani Diez is out for Round 5 with a soleus injury in his right leg.

**Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade**

Nemanja Nedovic has a leg injury and will miss Round 5, the Belgrade Derby vs. Partizan.

Branko Lazic won't play in Round 5 due to a broken rib.

Marko Simonovic is doubtful with a virus to face Partizan in Round 5.

Nemanja Bjelica (leg) has not played yet this season.

**EA7 Emporio Armani Milan**

[Maodo Lo, injured until now](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/maodo-lo-olimpia-milano-out-for-three-weeks/) is due to make his debut with Milan against his former team, ALBA Berlin.

[Billy Baron will be out until mid-December](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/billy-baron-olimpia-milano-elbow-surgery/) following elbow surgery.

**FC Barcelona**

Michael Caicedo is sidelined indefinitely with a broken right foot.

The club announced that Nico Laprovittola will be missing *El Clásico*.

**FC Bayern Munich**

Serge Ibaka and Elias Harris both returned to action in Round 4.

Vladimir Lucic has yet to play this season but is practicing individually. His availability for Round 5 is uncertain.

**Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul**

Yam Madar did not travel for Round 5 to play Bayern in Munich due to a knee injury.

Tyler Dorsey is due to return from a [foot injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-loses-dorsey-to-broken-foot/) to play in Round 5.

Metecan Birsen remains inactive for Round 5 due to injury.

**LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne**

David Lighty saw action in a weekend domestic game and is expected to make his EuroLeague season debut vs. Virtus in Round 5.

Boris Diallo has yet to debut with ASVEL this season.

**Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv**

[Wade Baldwin is out indefinitely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/maccabis-baldwin-out-for-opening-night/) with a back injury.

**Olympiacos Piraeus**

[Luke Sikma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-loses-sikma-mckissic-two-more-questionable/) will be out for Round 5 vs. Efes with a leg injury.

[Shaquielle McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-loses-sikma-mckissic-two-more-questionable/) is also unavailable for Round 5 due to a leg injury.

Panagiotis Tsamis is out until mid-November with an injury.

**Panathinaikos Athens**

Lefteris Mantzoukas missed a practice with illness. He will not be available against Baskonia in Round 5.

Ioannis Papapetrou, out since Round 2, is expected to miss two more months with a knee injury.

Dimitris Moraitis left a domestic game with injury over the weekend but has returned to practices..

**Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade**

Mateusz Ponitka, who hasn't played since Round 2 due to a shoulder injury, will miss the Belgrade Derby.

Alen Smailagic missed practice with a leg problem and will be a game-day decision for Round 5.

**Real Madrid**

Alberto Abalde, out since Round 1 in domestic play, returned to action in a domestic game last weekend and is expected to be available for El Clásico in Round 5.

Carlos Alocen is sidelined indefinitely with an injury.

**Valencia Basket**

Semi Ojeleye has not played since Round 2 and his status for Round 5 at Zalgiris is uncertain.

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui has returned to practice and his status for Round 5 is questionable.

[Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/valencia-basket-loses-jared-harper-to-injury/) has returned to practice and his status for Round 5 is questionable.

[Martin Hermannsson underwent knee surgery](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/valencias-martin-hermannsson-is-recovering-after-knee-surgery/) and is due out until December.

**Virtus Segafredo Bologna**

[Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtuss-polonara-to-undergo-surgery/) is out indefinitely after undergoing testicular surgery.

**Zalgiris Kaunas**

Zalgiris reports no injuries for Round 5 vs. Valencia.

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague injury report for the 2023-24 season.

Check out all the injuries and absences expected in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague before the Fantasy Challenge deadline.

One of the most exciting on-court clashes in Round 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague will pit two All-EuroLeague guards, AS Monaco's Mike James and Lorenzo Brown of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. The two players both earned All-EuroLeague honors last season and were the main protagonists of a thrilling five-game EuroLeague playoff series. This will be the 13th time James and Brown go head-to-head.

One of the most exciting head-to-head matchups of [Round 5](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/?round=5&season=E2023) will take place at Salle Gaston Medecin in Monaco, pitting two superstar guards opposite one another, AS Monaco's [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) and[ Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

The two players both earned All-EuroLeague honors last season – Brown as a first-team selection while James made the second team - and were the main protagonists of a thrilling five-game EuroLeague Playoffs series in which Monaco ousted Maccabi to reach its first-ever Final Four.

Best plays from Mike James and Lorenzo Brown in the 2023 EuroLeague playof series between AS Monaco and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Mike James vs Lorenzo Brown: 2023 playoff highlights

During that series, both players performed at a high level. James might have struggled, shooting just 21.6% from three-point range, but that did not prevent him from having all-round performances, one after another. He averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the series, including posting 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the decisive Game 5.

Brown kept up, averaging 15.4 points, despite making just 42.1% of his two-point shots during the series, and also had 4.2 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in those five games.

Now James and Brown [will go at it once again](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/41/) in this early-season re-match, which will mark the 13th time they go head-to-head since Brown entered the league in the 2019-20 season.

They first faced each other in February 2020 when James was with CSKA Moscow and Brown with Crvena Zvezda Belgrade. James shined with 29 points in the Serbian capital, while Brown scored 10 in an [81-86 defeat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2019-20/crvena-zvezda-mts-belgrade-cska-moscow/E2019/222/#boxscore).

In the 2020-21 campaign, James's CSKA and Brown's Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul split regular-season road wins, while in the 2021-22 season, James and Monaco swept Brown's UNICS Kazan. The two also played a pair ofregular-season games last season, and despite how prolific they are as scorers, it is interesting to note that each scored more than 15 points just once in those six regular-season games.

Brown had [16 points and 8 assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2020-21/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-cska-moscow/E2020/24/#boxscore) in Fenerbahce's overtime home loss against CSKA in October 2020, while James had [25 points and 7 assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2021-22/as-monaco-unics-kazan/E2021/175/#boxscore) in Monaco's thrilling 79-76 win over UNICS in February 2022.

Overall, James has outperformed Brown in their head-to-head games. Not only has he won eight of those games, but he also averaged 16.8 points compared to Brown's 12.5. While the two players were dead even in the assists they delivered, each with 4.3 per game, James also had an edge in rebounding, with 4.6, quite remarkable for a guard, with Brown pulling down 3.0 per game.

Brown has picked up 1.3 steals per game in those 12 contests and shot the ball better from the distance, making 20-of-60 triples (33.3%), compared to 19-for-90 (21.2%) that James shot from long range. However, James has a significantly better average PIR of 14.5, compared to Brown's 8.5 per game.

Some of those numbers will likely need to swing in Brown's favor for Maccabi to have a shot at beating Monaco on the road on Thursday night.

Two All-EuroLeague guards, Mike James and Lorenzo Brown, go against each other once again in Monaco on Thursday night. 

Head-to-head: Mike James vs. Lorenzo Brown

Panathinaikos Athens forward Ioannis Papapetrou is set to be sidelined for two more months due to a knee injury.

Panathinaikos: Papapetrou, out two more months

[Ioannis Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ioannis-papapetrou/005161/) has been sidelined since Round 2 and only played one Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games this season, getting 8 points, 4 rebounds, a steal and a PIR of 10 in a 78-71 victory over FC Bayern Munich. As such, Papapetrou may return in late December or early January, missing half of the regular season. He just started his second stint with Panathinaikos, after playing four seasons with the Greens from 2018 to 2022. Papapetrou re-joined Panathinaikos from Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, where he played in the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 38 games.

The third-ever EuroLeague edition of the Belgrade derby between KK Partizan and KK Crvena zvezda takes place on Thursday, with Zeljko Obradovic coming up against the recently appointed Ioannis Sfairopoulos on the sidelines.

Another thrilling Belgrade derby awaits… with a twist

There are few rivalries in world sports that come close to the Belgrade derby. Whenever [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade face off](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/39/), not only does Serbia come to a stop but thousands of people from across the world tune in. Make no mistake, this third installment of the ‘Eternal derby’ in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is not worth missing.

Just last year, Partizan and Zvezda went head-to-head for the first time in the EuroLeague and it was epic. In Round 12, with Partizan hosting Zvezda at Stark Arena, the game looked as though it was going to overtime, only for [Nemanja Nedovic to drain a game-winning three-pointer, 76-79,](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2022/103/) with 00:02 left on the clock.

Zeljko Obradovic’s Partizan got its revenge over Dusko Ivanovic’s Zvezda in Round 21, however, by [winning 78-79 at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2022/186/). Another Nedovic triple with 2 seconds remaining gave the visitors hope of a miracle, but it was Partizan that got the win over the line.

The capital of Serbia is a city that lives and breathes basketball and when Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and its archrival Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade meet on the shiny stage of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, the sports world pays attention.

No words can describe the Belgrade Derby

### A new chapter in the Belgrade derby

Looking at the Belgrade derby this Thursday evening (18:30 CET), one major change from last season comes on Zvezda’s bench. Last Saturday, the club decided to part ways with Coach Ivanovic, with [Ioannis Sfairopoulos being appointed as his successor one day later](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zvezda-brings-ioannis-sfairopoulos-back-to-the-euroleague/). Now, four days since arriving at Zvezda, the Greek tactician is being thrown into a game that can define a coach’s tenure on the red and white half of Belgrade.

The start to this season has not quite gone to plan for Partizan nor Zvezda, with both sides coming into this derby with a 1-3 record, yet there is still plenty of time for them to turn things around. For Zvezda, however, it clearly felt that time was of the essence as it faces Partizan in the EuroLeague this Thursday and then again next Monday in the ABA League. Coach Sfairopoulos quickly has the chance to become a legend if he engineers two wins from those games.

### Getting back on track

Nevertheless, there’s no denying that both Partizan and Zvezda – two teams with aims of reaching the EuroLeague Playoffs – need to get back on the right track. That said, the two teams come into this derby in contrasting moods, as Partizan lost 88-86 against Mega Basket in the ABA League on Monday night, whereas Zvezda grabbed a 72-83 win at FMP in Coach Sfairopoulos’s first game in charge.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Prva utakmica novog trenera <a href="https://twitter.com/GSfairopoulos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GSfairopoulos</a> na klupi crveno-belih ✅🔴⚪️<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://t.co/jStMMkPR6Y">pic.twitter.com/jStMMkPR6Y</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1716552759208517697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Partizan lost some key players over the summer, such as Dante Exum, Mathias Lessort and Yam Madar, and its new players – namely ex-NBA duo PJ Dozier and Frank Kaminsky – are still trying to get up to speed. Some of last year’s players, like Aleksa Avramovic, Alen Smailagic and Balsa Koprivica, have taken on bigger roles in the rotation as well. Partizan may still be a work in progress, but at least it can still lean on the tried-and-trusted trio of Kevin Punter, James Nunnally and Zach LeDay.

Speaking of teams trying to figure things out, Zvezda is still trying to get everyone on the same page. After making nine additions to its roster, it was always going to take a bit of time. The good thing is that some players have already started to show what they can do, with Shabazz Napier, Rokas Giedraitis and Joel Bolomboy all impressing in recent weeks. Perhaps the change of coach from Ivanovic to Sfairopoulos could liberate two Zvezda playmakers, Milos Teodosic and Yago Dos Santos, that have struggled thus far, too.

### Expect the unexpected

One of the great things about a derby is that form tends to go out of the window. A team can be playing horribly, but once it goes onto the court against its archrival, it can come out with the victory. That is what makes predicting the Belgrade derby so difficult.

Will the experience of Coach Obradovic lead to a coaching masterclass against Partizan’s eternal rival, or will the arrival of Coach Sfairopoulos liberate the Zvezda players to grab a win that would silence the home fans? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure heading into the EuroLeague’s third-ever Belgrade derby: expect the unexpected.

Nemanja Nedovic of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade shoots his game-winning triple over the outstretched arm of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade forward Zach LeDay during the first Belgrade derby in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Ioannis Sfairopoulos will coach in his first ‘Eternal derby’ just four days after becoming the Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade head coach.