Walkup, Fournier return as Reds roll Panionios in Greek League

The two stars both came back from injuries

Olympiacos Piraeus secured an 81–66 home victory over Panionios Athens at Peace and Friendship Stadium in Round 3 of the Greek League as it marked the return of Thomas Walkup and Evan Fournier to action. The Reds improved to 3–0 led by 16 points apiece by Frank Ntilikina and Donta Hall. Walkup played 18 minutes and Fournier 26. Saben Lee and Tyler Dorsey were not named to the squad for the game and Sasha Vezenkov rested.

The game started slowly for the Reds, who trailed 2-11 after 4 minutes. Alec Peters and Nikola Milutinov helped close the gap to 11–17 and an 8–0 run tied it at 19–19 before the visitors ended the first quarter ahead 19-22. A Kostas Papanikolaou three-pointer put Olympiacos briefly in front, but Panionios responded from deep to regain the lead. Ntilikina’s steal and assist set up an emphatic Hall dunk, energizing the crowd. Ntilikina took command offensively late in the half, capped by a Giannoulis Larentzakis triple for a 42–37 halftime lead.

Olympiacos tightened its defense after the break, producing an 11-3 run to start the third quarter and build a double-digit advantage, 53–40. Ntilikina and Tyson Ward stood out on both ends, while a highlight-reel alley-oop from Peters to Ntilikina excited the fans. Larentzakis’ accuracy from long range stretched the margin to 60–45 entering the final period. In the fourth quarter, Olympiacos maintained full control as Coach Bartzokas distributed minutes among his players. Larentzakis and Hall kept scoring, while Fournier and Papanikolaou joined in from beyond the arc to seal the 81–66 win.