EA7 Emporio Armani Milan returned from the break with a hard-fought 86-80 win over AS Monaco at Unipol Forum on Thursday night

Mirotic, Shields lift Milan over Monaco, 86-80

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan returned from the break with a hard-fought 86-80 win over AS Monaco at Unipol Forum on Thursday night. The visitors took an 18-19 lead into the second quarter, when Milan bounced back and outscored Monaco 31-23. Vassilis Spanoulis’s side grabbed a 77-78 edge with 1:51 remaining, but Milan remained calm from the line to clinch the win. Ettore Messina’s team improved to 15-12, while Monaco maintained the head-to-head tiebreak advantage but dropped to 16-11.

Nikola Mirotic led all scorers with 22 points, Shavon Shields recorded 19 and Zach LeDay added 10. Elie Okobo paced Monaco with 16 points, 14 of which were scored in the last quarter, with Mike James netting 15.

Game Videos

A red-hot Jordan Loyd nailed 3 triples, with James and Jaron Blossomgame opening their accounts too for a 4-13 lead. But Milan tied things up, as Shields and Mirotic replied with a three each, with Nico Mannion and Fabien Causeur netting a layup apiece to make it 14-14. But Matthew Strazel scored 5 straight points off the bench for an 18-19 edge after 10 minutes.

Causeur and Georgios Papagiannis traded triples to open the second quarter before Armoni Brooks drilled one of his own for a 24-22 lead. Petr Cornelie responded with 5 straight points including a one-handed slam to posterize Freddie Gillespie, 26-29. A trade of blows followed, with Papagiannis taking his tally to 5 points as the visitors maintained a 33-34 lead. Daniel Theis opened his Monaco account with a slam, but Mirotic, Shields and Stefano Tonut drained a triple each to put Milan ahead, 44-38. James ended Milan’s 9-0 run with a midrange jumper, but Shields nailed one from deep and Mirotic scored inside for a 49-42 cushion at halftime.

Game News

Mannion added 5 points to his tally for Milan’s first double-digit lead of the night, 54-44. Shields netted three buckets in a row for a 62-52 cushion. Back-to-back baskets from Gillespie were followed by inside scores from Papagiannis and Okobo, who trimmed the deficit to 68-61 heading into the closing quarter.

The visitors started strong in the fourth, as Okobo bagged 5 consecutive points before a three by Strazel and another 5 points from the former tied it at 74-74. Mirotic answered with one from downtown, but Okobo made 2 of 2 from the line and Alpha Diallo scored inside to put Monaco in front, 77-78. Mirotic completed a three-point play on the other end, but Okobo responded from the charity stripe, 80-80. Shields, LeDay and Mirotic stayed ice-cold from the line to seal the outcome.

The hosts remained calm from the line to clinch it in the closing stages

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v AS Monaco (2025-02-27T19:30:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas rekindled its hopes of reaching the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague postseason after earning a thoroughly deserved 80-86 road win at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

Zalgiris springs upset to beat Crvena Zvezda, 80-86

Zalgiris Kaunas rekindled its hopes of reaching the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague postseason after earning a thoroughly deserved 80-86 road win at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, improving to 13-14 while the home team dropped to 16-11.

Sylvain Francisco served up a masterclass as he sank a game-high 25 points, shooting 6-of-9 from downtown, while Alen Smailagic chipped in with 15 and Deividas Sirvydis added 12 for the Lithuanian outfit.

At the other end, Filip Petrusev paced Zvezda with 16 points but 10 of them came in the first quarter, after which Zalgiris did a grand job containing the Serbian side’s clutch player. Nemanja Nedovic netted 14 points for the hosts, Joel Bolomboy scored 12 and Codi Miller-McIntyre added 11.

Zalgiris swung the contest its way late in the third quarter when it carved out a 56-64 lead and never looked back, with the game being a rollercoaster up to that point as the lead changed hands time and again in the cauldron of the Belgrade Arena.

Carried by fervent home crowd support, Zvezda overcame a slow start and managed to stay in touch thanks to the versatile Petrusev and Bolomboy, whose power in the paint compensated for 6 turnovers in the first quarter.

Zalgiris was effervescent from long range in the opening half as the visiting team sank 7 of 11 from deep, with Francisco netting 12 points and the fired-up Smailagic adding 10. Smailagic drew offensive energy from his personal rivalry with Zvezda as a longtime former player of archrival Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

The big man was flawless from the floor as he was 6 of 6, sinking 3 three-pointers and as many shots from inside.

A 2-9 run late in the third quarter allowed Zalgiris to pull away and having led 60-67 ahead of the final 10 minutes, the Lithuanian team stayed in control as Francisco hit one clutch shot after another to keep Zvezda at bay.

A four-point play from Nedovic gave Zvezda a glimmer of hope as the home team slashed the deficit to 70-75 in the home stretch, but Zalgiris held firm to grind out a precious win keeping the Lithuanian champion in contention for a postseason berth.

The visitors enjoyed a fantastic performance by Sylvain Francisco who was lethal from long range 

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Zalgiris Kaunas (2025-02-27T19:00:00.000Z)

Paris grabbed its 16th win and the potential tie-break advantage over Bayern

Shorts leads Paris past Bayern, 93-88! 

Paris Basketball took another step towards the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague postseason by topping FC Bayern Munich 93-88 in the City of Lights in Round 27 on Thursday.

Paris improved to 16-10 in the standings, while Bayern dropped to 16-11. TJ Shorts led the winners with 27 points. Maodo Lo added 14 and Daulton Hommes scored 12 for Paris. Carsen Edwards paced Bayern with 29 points. Andreas Obst added 20, Shabazz Napier 14 and Johannes Voigtmann 11 for the visitors.

Mikael Jantunen got Paris going with a three-pointer from the corner. Edwards stepped up with a reverse layup and Nick Weiler-Babb added a jumper to bring Bayern within 5-4. Nadir Hifi struck from downtown and Yakuba Ouattara erased Elias Harris's jump hook with a power layup for a 10-6 Paris lead. Napier tried to change things for the visitors. Hommes and Obst traded triples before Hifi boosted his team's lead to 16-11. Lo took over with a driving layup, but Harris and Voigtmann got Bayern within 18-15. Jantunen struck from beyond the arc and Kevarrius Hayes's dunk gave Paris a 23-15 lead after 10 minutes.

 

Shorts followed a three-pointer off the dribble with a fastbreak layup that prompted Bayern to call timeout at 28-15 early in the second quarter. Edwards took over with a layup off a wild spin move and Weiler-Babb made a jumper. After Shorts and Vladimir Lucic traded layups, Edwards followed a driving basket with a jumper, causing Paris to stop the game at 30-25. Hommes and Leopold Cavaliere fueled a 9-0 run that Lo capped with a layup for a 39-25 Paris lead. Obst followed a catch-and-shoot triple with a layup-plus-foul, giving Bayern hope at 40-33. After Bandja Sy found his first points, Edwards followed a triple with a coast-to-coast layup. Shorts made it 47-38 at the break. 

Jantunen struck from beyond the arc right after the break and Tyson Ward bettered Voigtmann's jumper with another triple for a 53-40 Paris lead. Edwards followed a layup in transition with a corner triple. Ward and Niels Giffey traded baskets before Napier got Bayern within 55-49. Lucic silenced the crowd with a show-stopping slam and Voigtmann matched Hifi's layup with a reverse slam. Hommes and Obst traded threes before Lo boosted the hosts' lead to 65-56. Obst insisted from three-point range, but Cavalieri took over with back-to-back layups. Napier struck twice from beyond the arc to make it 69-65 score. Voigtmann bettered Shorts's jumper with a three-pointer that got Bayern even closer, 71-68, at the end of the third quarter.

 

Shorts sank a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. Voigtmann dunked before Ward and an unstoppable Shorts made it 78-70. Napier stepped up for Bayern and Edwards matched Shorts's driving layup with an off-balance basket. Edwards kept pacing the visitors, but Lo made a three-pointer. Napier's hook shot made it a 5-point game with more than 4 minutes left. Ward finished a three-chance Paris offense with a put-back basket that Edwards erased with a reverse layup. After Shorts banked in a floater, Obst fired in a triple in transition to make it 87-84. Hayes scored down low and Lo's driving layup all but sealed the outcome, 91-84, in the next-to-last minute. Shorts iced his team's win from the foul line.

The win gives Paris the potential tie-break advantage over Bayern

Shorts leads Paris past Bayern, 93-88

Paris Basketball v FC Bayern Munich (2025-02-27T19:30:00.000Z)

The February break is over and EuroLeague action finally resumes this Thursday, so here are five questions heading into the final eight rounds of the 2024-25 regular season.

Five questions ahead of the final lap of the regular season

The February break is over and Turkish Airlines EuroLeague action finally resumes this Thursday. With just eight rounds remaining in the regular season, the #EveryGameMatters motto will be truer than ever.

Everyone agrees that this is the tightest regular-season race they can remember, as every outcome for almost all scenarios in the standings is wide open.

Here are five questions for which we’ll be seeking – and getting – answers for in this last lap of the 2024-25 regular season.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1790735/five-questions-ahead-of-the-final-lap-of-the-regular-season/).

The 38th Clásico between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in the history of the EuroLeague will be unlike any of those before.

'El Clasico' like never before

The 38th *Clásico* in the history of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague will be unlike any of those before. When [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) and archrival [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) meet, the sporting world takes notice. It is always a game of immense prestige. And often – as has been the case five times at the Final Four and twice more in the playoffs – the opponent is standing in the way of achieving glory.

This time, neither team can yet think of glory. Both have their minds set on survival.

Never before have these teams met this late in the season under the modern format, with neither in the top eight in the standings. Real is 11th with a 13-13 record. We can split hairs and point out that Barcelona, which is ninth with a 14-12 record – the same as eighth-placed [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) – could theoretically be eighth since it won its only game against coach Zeljko Obradovic's men this season and apply that as a tiebreaker, but c'mon. Is that really the point?

No. The point is that for teams usually mapping out their road to home-court advantage in the playoffs, both Real and Barca are now worried about making sure they at least reach the Play-In Showdown. And the type of animalistic attitude needed to survive in the middle of the pack is much different than the regal perspective of a team seeking its place at the peak.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔜🏀 El Clásico | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/COdqSx1AqV">pic.twitter.com/COdqSx1AqV</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1894739466700349513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There is more troubling news for both teams on the eve of this *Clásico*. Barcelona is dealing with injuries. Leading scorer [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcas-punter-sidelined-by-shoulder-injury/) will miss the game due to a shoulder injury, [Juan Nunez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/juan-nunez-suffering-with-knee-injury-could-miss-rest-of-season/) is out with a knee injury and [Dario Brizuela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dario-brizuela/009992/), one of the team’s shining lights over the past month-plus, is questionable with an Achilles tendon problem. Meanwhile, the guard Real added mid-season to bolster the backcourt, [Dennis Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dennis-smith-jr/013666/), has left the team.

That sets the stage for *El Clásico* like never before.

So what can we expect to see? First of all, a hard-fought game where character matters more than ever before. Sure, both teams have talented stars who have fought through adversity to get where they are. But with the pressure heightened like we can expect at Movistar Arena this week, mental and physical toughness take on a new meaning.

For the visitors, figuring out who will step into Punter's shoes is critical. Will [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/) enshrine himself in the history books with a majestic *Clásico*? Is [Alex Abrines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alex-abrines/003478/) lying in wait for a big game? Can [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) carry the extra load with his backcourt mates down?

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🔜 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElCl%C3%A0ssic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ElClàssic</a> <a href="https://t.co/gDAmEBO4Ky">pic.twitter.com/gDAmEBO4Ky</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1894819721461277019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Real Madrid has lost its last three games in the EuroLeague and faltered in the Spanish Cup final. The issue there is not talent; Real is one of only two teams this season to have not lost a game by more than 15 points (the other is top-ranked [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/)). That is just one of many underlying stats showing how good the team is.

So what is the problem? Is it a lack of focus? Just bad luck? And will the last week and a half – in which [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/), [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/), [Hugo Gonzalez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/hugo-gonzalez/011649/) and [Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andres-feliz/011247/) were among those who played well for their national teams – be enough to get *Los Blancos* on track to win this game and make a climb in the standings?

Who knows? What I can tell you is that because of – and despite – these teams' records and spots in the standings, this *El Clásico* will be like never before. And for true fans of the game, that makes it must-see basketball.

The historic rivalry between the top two teams in Spanish sports continues on Thursday in Madrid with a different feel 

El Clásico like never before

Real Madrid v FC Barcelona (2025-02-27T19:45:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus addressed its banged-up backcourt by signing guard Saben Lee just before Wednesday's EuroLeague signing deadline

Olympiacos pens deal with Saben Lee 

Olympiacos Piraeus addressed its banged-up backcourt by signing guard [Saben Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saben-lee/013389/) just before Wednesday's EuroLeague signing deadline. Lee (1.88 meters, 25 years old) joins a EuroLeague club for the second-time this season after averaging 12.0 points and 2.5 assists in eight games with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. Saben started the season in Turkiye with Manisa Basket and after his stint with Maccabi returned there until now.

He was second in the Turkish League in scoring with 18.7 points per game and tied for second in assists with 6.0 per game. Lee was worth 24.8 points, 5.0 assists and 1.9 steals in the Basketball Champions League with Manisa, including tying the competition's scoring record with a 43-point showing in his second-ever game.

Saben Lee's best plays with Maccabi Tel Aviv

Lee started his professional career with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA, where he played 85 games between 2020 and 2022. He also played two games for the Philadelphia 76ers and 47 for the Phoenix Suns. His NBA career averages stand at 5.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 134 appearances. In addition to his time in the NBA, Lee spent time in the G League with the Motor City Cruise, Delaware Blue Coats and Raptors 905. He played college basketball at Vanderbilt University.

The latest on Olympiacos

The guard played in the EuroLeague earlier this season with Maccabi

ALBA Berlin announced that it has finalized the signing of big man Robert Baker only hours before the deadline for registering players this season

ALBA Berlin registers Robert Baker before deadline

ALBA Berlin announced that it has finalized the signing of big man [Robert Baker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/robert-baker-ii-/013774/) only hours before the deadline for registering players this season. Baker (2.11 meters, 26 years old) arrives from the Osceola Magic of the G-League, where he averaged 8.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 17 games this season. He has spent a total of four seasons in the G-League, during which he also played for the Stickton Kings and College Park Skyhawks. Baker has previous experience outside the United States with stints in Slovakia, Puerto Rico and Japan. He played college basketball at Harvard University.

The latest on ALBA Berlin

The big man is set to make his EuroLeague with the German side

Zalgiris Kaunas added a weapon to its backcourt as it prepares to mount a charge on a postseason berth by signing combo-guard Isaiah Wong for the remainder of the season

Zalgiris adds scoring punch with Isaiah Wong

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) added a weapon to its backcourt as it prepares to mount a charge on a postseason berth by signing combo-guard [Isaiah Wong](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaiah-wong/013775/) for the remainder of the season. Wong (1.91 meters, 24 years old) will step into the role vacated by [Lonnie Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/lonnie-walker-departs-zalgiris-kaunas/), who averaged 13.6 points in 19 games before leaving Lithuania to sign for the Philadelphia 76ers last week. Wong arrives from the NBA, where he appeared in 20 games for the Charlotte Hornets this season before he was waived after the trade deadline.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">American guard Isaiah Wong joins the Zalgiris team until the end of the 2024-2025 season. ✍️<br><br>Welcome to the green-and-whites, Isaiah! 💚 <a href="https://t.co/axKWfWLmWV">pic.twitter.com/axKWfWLmWV</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1894775061875196012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wong averaged 6.0 points on 39.4% three-point shooting, 1.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 13.3 minutes per game with Charlotte. He also played one game in the NBA for the Indiana Pacers the season before. Wong scored a career-high 17 points in 24 minutes in his second-to-last game with the Hornets. He also averaged 14.9 points, 3.9 boards and 3.3 assists over the last two seasons in the G-League with the Indiana Mad Ants and Greensboro Swarm.

The Athletic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2023, Wong played four seasons of college basketball at the University of Miami. He helped the Hurricanes reach their first-ever NCAA Final Four during his senior year.

The latest from Zalgiris Kaunas

The guard steps into the role vacated by Lonnie Walker 

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four has once again demonstrated its status as one of the most highly anticipated basketball events, as all general public tickets for the 2025 edition have officially sold out.

2025 EuroLeague Final Four Abu Dhabi general public tickets sell out

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four has once again demonstrated its status as one of the most highly anticipated basketball events, as all general public tickets for the 2025 edition have officially sold out. The tickets, which went on sale on Wednesday, February 26, at 09:00 CET, were snapped up in less than 7 hours, following an overwhelming demand from fans worldwide.

This marks a historic moment as the EuroLeague Final Four makes its debut in Abu Dhabi, a global destination renowned for hosting world-class sporting events. The city’s passionate basketball fanbase, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and vibrant cultural attractions have made it an unmissable opportunity for fans to witness top-tier basketball action in one of the most sought-after destinations.

For those who missed out on securing general public tickets, there is still a chance to be part of this electrifying event. A limited number of ticket + hotel bundles are available at [www.f4tickets.com](http://www.f4tickets.com). Additionally, each qualified team will receive an allocation of approximately 600 tickets across various categories, which will be distributed through their own channels.

The 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four will take place at the iconic Etihad Arena, located on the city’s entertainment hub of Yas Island, from May 23 to 25. The semifinals will tip off on Friday, May 23, at 19:00 and 22:00 local time. The action will continue on Sunday, May 25, with the EuroLeague Third-Place Game at 18:00 local time, followed by the EuroLeague Championship Game at 21:00 local time, where one team will be crowned the 2024-25 EuroLeague Champion.

General public tickets sold out in less than 7 hours