Name: Joel Bolomboy: 'It took a team effort'
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Milan executed its offensive plan to perfection to down Zalgiris

Bouncing back from a blowout defeat is anything but easy in basketball. Doing so just 48 hours after [losing 87-70](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bayern-thrashed-milan-at-home-87-70/) away at [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/roster/mun/?season=2024-25) is even harder. But recovering from that loss with a victory at a packed Zalgirio Arena takes more than talent.

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/roster/mil/?season=2024-25) showed character in Lithuania and executed its offensive plan to perfection to defeat Zalgiris on the road. The Italian side [netted 89 points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/milan-holds-off-zalgiris-to-win-thriller-87-89/) against a defense that was the stingiest in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with an average of just 78.0 points conceded per game heading into Thursday’s evening clash.

Ettore Messina put together a strategy to unlock Zalgiris’s defense and his players followed it to the letter. Three of them stood out, with [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/) netting 26 points, [Niccolo Mannion](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/niccolo-mannion/011064/) scoring a career-high 21 and [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) recording 17.

“I think that we attacked fairly well the switches either with the perimeter drives of Mannion or Shavon and with the post-up of Zach,” Messina told EuroLeague TV after the game. “Kudos to all my players for coming here after a poor performance in Munich 48 hours ago. It shows that this group has character and hopefully we can build on that.”

Game Videos

The visitors led for most of the game, but Zalgiris fought back and took a 73-71 edge halfway in the last quarter. Messina’s players didn’t flinch. They remained focused on the game plan by protecting the boards on one end and attacking the switches on the other despite the deafening noise at Zalgirio Arena and clinched a hard-fought win.

“When they got the 2-point lead, we did two very important things,” Messina said in the post-game press conference. “On the very few misses that they had shooting from outside, we always got the defensive rebound. We never allowed them to have a second shot and that limited the damage. Offensively, we attacked the switch well with the penetration, especially of Mannion, and the post-up with Zach. The team was mentally very focused and strong in obviously a very difficult environment.”

Having improved its record to 14-12, Milan remained in the playoff zone despite the important absences of [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), [Fabien Causeur](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/fabien-causeur/001392/) and [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/). And in Kaunas, the Italian side showed that heart and strategy could lead you to a triumph against all odds.

Game News

Mannion, LeDay and Shields effectively attacked the switches to clinch a bounce-back win

Zalgiris Kaunas v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2025-02-06T18:00:00.000Z)

Errick McCollum continued making his mark with Fenerbahce

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2024-25) has been badly hit by backcourt injuries so far this season, incurring the major blow of a long-term absence for shooting star [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) just 2 minutes into the campaign and also seeing [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) only able to make 13 appearances – most recently in Round 16 at FC Barcelona in December.

But the silver lining to emerge from that injury cloud has been the arrival of the vastly experienced [Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/), who was added to Sarunas Jasikevicius’s roster in January to provide some backcourt depth and has immediately proved himself to be a EuroLeague-ready performer.

In Thursday’s showdown with [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2024-25), McCollum made his clearest statement yet that he is ready to play a key role in Fenerbahce’s quest for title glory, netting 19 points and providing the foundations for [an impressive 78-67 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-cruises-past-real-madrid-78-67/) which allows his team to head into the break on a high.

McCollum's early contributions were particularly important. While everyone around him was missing, missing and missing again during an extraordinarily slow start to the action – featuring no points at all for nearly 4 minutes – the guard bucked the trend by repeatedly finding his range. After being introduced with the game scoreless, he netted the game’s first three-pointer 61 seconds later, added another 30 seconds after that and soon scored again to take his personal tally to 8 points in a 10-4 lead.

Errick McCollum rocked Real Madrid

He returned with similar effect in the second quarter, saving his most impressive moment for the halftime buzzer as he drove into the paint before finding fancy footwork to create space for a classy layup, drawing appreciative oohs and aahs from the home fans.

After the game, the veteran played down his early scoring exploits as he told EuroLeague TV: “I‘m a shot-maker, I’m a scorer, and I could see at that moment they needed a spark. So I tried to be really aggressive. Coach put me in a good situation, my teammates believe in me, and I just did what I do.”

Jasikevicius was much more effusive, praising McCollum’s transition to his new team as he said: “For him, it’s very easy to come in the middle of a season. He’s seen all kinds of coaches, all kinds of systems, he’s a very outgoing person, so he fit into the locker room immediately with the guys, and he’s seen everything already. He’s been a great addition, no question.”

Such success at this level has been a long time coming for McCollum, who first appeared in European competition with Greek team Panionios in the 2013-14 EuroCup. He made a major impression in the same competition with Galatasaray, winning both the title and the MVP award in 2016, earning a step up to the EuroLeague with Anadolu Efes Istanbul for a solid 2017-18 season. McCollum’s nomadic existence continued with spells at Russian teams UNICS Kazan, Khimki Moscow and Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar, before returning to Turkiye with Pinar Karsiyaka.

It seemed that his time in the continent’s elite competition was already over, but then came Fenerbahce’s injury crisis and the subsequent mid-season return to Istanbul, where he has now represented three different clubs.

And it’s fair to say that he has easily exceeded expectations, becoming far more than just a role player with a prominent role in a run of five wins out of six. During that time he has averaged 12.8 points, netting double digits in four consecutive games and also dishing 3 assists in each of the last three.

Wilbekin and Baldwin are major losses…but Fenerbahce has found a significant gain with the arrival of McCollum, who is fast becoming one of the best mid-season signings in EuroLeague history.

The Turkish team’s recent signing made another big contribution to down Real Madrid

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Real Madrid (2025-02-06T17:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade center Joel Bolomboy spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat ALBA Berlin in Round 26 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.  

Joel Bolomboy: 'It took a team effort' 

ALBA Berlin v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2025-02-06T18:00:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan got back to winning ways by edging Zalgiris Kaunas 87-89 in Round 26 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Milan holds off Zalgiris to win thriller, 87-89

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan got back to winning ways by edging Zalgiris Kaunas 87-89 on Thursday evening. The visitors led for most of the duel, but Zalgiris turned the game around and took a 73-71 lead midway through the fourth quarter. That was when Zach LeDay stepped up big time to clinch a victory that improved Milan’s record to 14-12. Zalgiris claimed the head-to-head advantage due to its 82-85 comeback win in Italy, but they dropped to 12-14.

Zach LeDay paced Milan with 26 points, Niccolo Mannion netted a career-high 21 points and Shavon Shields added 17. For Zalgiris, Sylvain Francisco registered a game-high 29 points, Lonnie Walker scored 22 and Deividas Sirvydis had 17.

Four points from Mannion were followed by buckets from LeDay and Leandro Bolmaro as Milan grabbed a 4-9 lead. A timeout helped Zalgiris regroup and bounce back, with Edgaras Ulanovas scoring in the paint before Francisco and Walker drilled one each from deep to put the hosts ahead, 12-11. A basket by Shields and 5 points from LeDay brought Milan back in front, 14-18. Then, Neno Dimitrijevic and Giampaolo Ricci opened their accounts from inside, stretching Milan’s lead to 16-24.

Five points from Francisco and a triple by Sirvydis brought Zalgiris within 24-28. Shields added 3 points to his tally before Armoni Brooks responded to a triple by Francisco with one of his own to maintain a 29-34 cushion. Four points from LeDay were followed by a layup from Shields, who opened a 31-39 lead. But Sirvydis netted 5 straight points before Francisco drilled his fourth triple of the game, trimming the deficit to 39-43. LeDay responded by taking his tally to 18 first-half points and Mannion drained one from downtown for a 42-50 lead at halftime.

Milan started strong in the second half, with Mannion and Shields netting 4 points apiece to make it 50-60. Stefano Tonut drilled a three before buckets by Dimitrijevic and Shields gave Milan a 55-67 cushion. But Walker and Alen Smailagic took over with 5 and 4 points, respectively, slashing the deficit to 66-67 heading into the fourth.

Mannion opened the closing quarter with a four-point play, but Sirvydis made 4 of 4 from the line and Francisco hit one from deep to put the hosts ahead, 73-71. Shields responded with a triple before 4 points by Mannion gave Milan a 75-78 cushion. The game turned into a free-throw affair, with LeDay taking his tally to 22 points and restoring a 77-83 lead from the charity stripe. Francisco converted a three-point play and Walker nailed a midrange jumper that cut the difference to 82-84. LeDay netted 4 straight points and Shields sealed the outcome from the line.

LeDay stole the limelight with 26 points against his former team

ALBA Berlin-Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | RS Round 26 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan forward Zach LeDay spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 26 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.  

Zach LeDay: 'I still bleed green and white' 

Zalgiris Kaunas-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan | RS Round 26 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Paris Lee banks in a midcourt shot right at the halftime buzzer!

Lee from beyond midcourt! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night

 Paris Lee banks in a midcourt shot right at the halftime buzzer!

FC Bayern Munich v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2025-02-06T19:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul guard Errick McCollum spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Real Madrid in Round 26 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.  

Errick McCollum: 'I’m a shot-maker'

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul-Real Madrid | RS Round 26 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade held off ALBA Berlin 71-77 on Thursday night at Uber Arena in the German capital to remain at least tied for fourth place as the sides enter the February break

Zvezda hangs on for 71-77 win in Berlin

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade held off ALBA Berlin 71-77 on Thursday night at Uber Arena in the German capital to remain at least tied for fourth place as the sides enter the February break. The result lifted Zvezda's record to 16-10, while last-placed ALBA fell to 4-22.  

Filip Petrusev bounced back from a 3-point performance earlier in the week to lead Zvezda with 17 points, while Isaiah Canaan added 11 for the winners. David McCormack was on his way to a monster night with 18 points and 11 rebounds in 19 minutes for ALBA before fouling out in the third quarter. Matteo Spagnolo and Matt Thomas both scored 15 in defeat.

Petrusev started strong with a steal on one end and a basket through contact at the other. Malte Delow got ALBA on the scoreboard with a put-back and soon after Thomas gave the hosts a 5-4 lead with a three-pointer. McCormack added to the lead before Codi Miller-McIntyre's three evened things midway through the quarter. McCormack scored twice more for ALBA, though Zvezda answered through Nemanja Nedovic and Petrusev. Canaan came off the bench to drain a triple that gave Zvezda a 13-15 edge after 10 minutes.

Canaan and Lous Olinde swapped threes to begin the second quarter. Canaan put Zvezda up 18-22 only for McCormack to come alive and tie the score at 22-22 and 24-24 and – after Petrusev split free throws – the ALBA center made a short jumper to give his team a 26-25 lead. Ognjen Dobric put Zvezda in front with a triple and Rokas Giedraitis made it 28-32 with a jumper from the corner, prompting an ALBA timeout. ALBA fought back with baskets from Will McDowell-White and Spagnolo. John Brown stole the ball from McCormack at one end and scored at the other to give Zvezda a 35-40 halftime lead.

Zvezda scored the first two baskets of the second half, but Matt Thomas stepped up for ALBA with free throws and a three-pointer. ALBA kept the run going with a three by Delow and free throws by Elias Rapieque to even the score at 45-45. There was little to separate the teams over the next few minutes – though Zvezda did miss several free throws – and the score was again tied at 50-50. McCormack came off the bench for a monster alley-oop that tied that game at 52-52, but shortly after he fouled out. Zvezda went on another run through Canaan, Bolomboy and Kalninic. Spagnolo connected from deep to make it 55-59 at the end of the third quarter.

A three by Thomas brought ALBA to within 1 and then Rapieque scored on a put-back and in transition to give the hosts a 62-61 edge. After a timeout, Yago Dos Santos replied with a three-point play. Petrusev scored in the paint and Dos Santos from behind the arc to give Zvezda a 64-69 lead. Despite an ALBA timeout, Petrusev scored in the paint again. Giedraitis made it 66-73 with 3 minutes to go. Delow made a tough bucket for ALBA only to see Giedraitis answer with free throws. Thomas made a clutch three with 43.2 seconds remaining to give ALBA hope at 71-75, but that was as close as ALBA would get.

ALBA fought until the end, but Zvezda proved too strong

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul outclassed Real Madrid, 78-67, to strengthen its top four position and condemn the Spanish side to three straight losses. Fenerbahce heads into the midseason break at 17-8, while Real drops to 13-13.

Fenerbahce cruises past Real Madrid, 78-67

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul outclassed Real Madrid, 78-67, to strengthen its top four position and condemn the Spanish side to three straight losses. Fenerbahce heads into the midseason break at 17-8, while Real drops to 13-13.

The first 18 minutes were closely contested before a 12-0 run gave Fenerbahce a 40-28 interval lead. Real tried to respond after the break but long-range shooting ensured the home team stayed comfortable. Nigel Hayes-Davis top scored with 20 points, Errick McCollom netted 19 and Marko Guduric added 10. Facu Campazzo was Real’s only scorer in double digits, with 11 points.

Neither team could score in the opening 3 minutes, until Hayes-Davis finally netted a jumper. McCollom added a threeball before Walter Tavares dunked Real’s first points. McCollom followed another triple with a midrange jumper for a 10-4 lead, and inside scores from Campazzo and Dennis Smith were answered by Devon Hall’s three. Real kept on penetrating, with buckets for Bruno Fernando, Campazzo and Smith providing a 13-16 lead before Tarik Biberovic’s triple tied it up after 10 minutes.

McCollom opened the second quarter with his third triple, which Andres Feliz matched to make it 19-19. Hugo Gonzalez nailed a baseline dunk but Fener stayed hot from deep through Arturs Zagars, and Xavier Rathan-Mayes also struck from long-range for another tie, 24-24. Nicolo Melli joined the host’s three-pointer party, DyShawn Pierre scored two in a row under the basket, Hayes-Davis struck from deep and McCollom classily beat the buzzer to make it 40-28 at the break.

Guduric opened the second half scoring before Real fought back with a triple from Campazzo and two from Sergio Llull, narrowing the gap to 44-39. But Hayes-Davis scored two mid-range floaters to settle the home team, and Fernando’s alleyoop was bettered by Bonzie Colson’s inside bucket and Devon Hall’s triple to restore a double-digit lead, 56-44. Hayes-Davis netted again, making it 58-47 with ten minutes left.

Tavares scored 5 points early in the fourth quarter, but Fener’s three-point barrage continued as Hayes-Davis struck a pair and Guduric added another for a 67-54 advantage. Hayes-Davis stayed hot and fed Colson for a mid-range jumper, maintaining a comfortable lead midway through the period. Guduric added another threeball to make it 74-56, and Biberovic’s layup made it a 20-point game. The scoring pace dropped as Feliz scored twice to narrow the gap, but the outcome was never in doubt as Fener cruised home.

The Turkish team was dominant throughout to stay in second place

Oturu bends the iron again after a perfect assist from Dozier!

Dozier and Oturu at it again! Motorola Magic Moment

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-02-06T19:15:00.000Z)

Oturu bends the rim after a razor-sharp pass by Dozier

Oturu with a vicious two-hander! Motorola Magic Moment

 Oturu bends the rim after a razor-sharp pass by Dozier

Walker drives in traffic and nails an impossible basket – and one!

Walker’s circus bucket! Motorola Magic Moment

 Walker drives in traffic and nails an impossible basket – and one!

David McCormack flies to take an alley-oop pass from Elias Rapieque and stuff it home

McCormack smashes home an alley-oop! Motorola Magic Moment

 David McCormack flies to take an alley-oop pass from Elias Rapieque and stuff it home

Mannion connects with Shields, who throws it down in transition!

Shields smashes the rim! Motorola Magic Moment

 Mannion connects with Shields, who throws it down in transition!

Shields detonates the dunks off a bounce pass from Mannion!

 Shields dunks off a backdoor cut! Motorola Magic Moment

 Shields detonates the dunks off a bounce pass from Mannion!