Round 19 brought a lot of great individual performances and players who stepped up big. These were the leaders in the main statistical categories.

Individual highs: Dzanan Musa, Real Madrid, 40 points!

[Points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score)

[Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) of Real Madrid led all scorers with a career-high 40 points in a historical 130-126 quadruple-overtime victory over Anadolu Efes Istanbul. It is a club record, previously shared by [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) and Luka Doncic, with 33 points apiece. Musa became the 10th player to reach the 40-point mark in competition history. [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) holds the all-time record with 49 points, and is also the only player to get multiple 40-point games. [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) of AS Monaco leads the 2023-24 EuroLeague in scoring at 19.6 points per game.

[Rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds)

[Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) of Real, his teammate [Mario Hezonja, ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/)and [Youssoupha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/youssoupha-fall/006568/) of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne each pulled down 12 rebounds in Round 19. [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz is the best rebounder of the competition at 8.0 per night.

[Assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances)

[Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) also of Real was the only player to reach double digits in assists, dishing 11 against Efes. He is also first overall at 7.3 per game.

[Steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals)

[Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/) of Zalgiris Kaunas, [P.J. Dozier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/perry-dozier-jr/012742/) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and [Maik Kotsar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/maik-kotsar/004603/) of Baskonia each collected 4 steals in this round. [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) of ASVEL leads the standings at 1.9 steals per game.

[Blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour)

Tavares had 4 blocked shots against Efes. He became the first player to break the 400-block mark in the competition. Tavares is leads this season's standings at 1.6 per night.

[Double-doubles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=miscellaneous&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=doubleDoubles)

 Three of them play for Real: Hezonja, Campazzo and Tavares. Fall and [Tibor Pleiss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tibor-pleiss/lhk/) of Efes complete this list.

 

Weekly prizes are on offer for the top team manager in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, so don't miss out!

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 19 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 19th winner in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! Lazar Zivanovvic beat everyone else in Round 19 with his team LaganoWin, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 247.35.

Lazar had the following lineup: team captain Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Dzanan Musa and Walter Tavares both of Real Madrid, Kevin Punter of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Nigel Hatyes-Davis of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul as starters. His sixth man was Youssoupha Fall of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, while the rest of the bench was made up of Branko Lazic of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, Lukas Lekavicius of Zalgiris Kaunas, Alexander Samountourov of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Pape Sow of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. His head coach was Luca Banchi of Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

The prize for finishing first in Round 19 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2024-25 season, so congratulations, Lazar!

Giorgios Antonopoulos is the leader of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge overall standings with 3,417.65 points.

Trades are now open for Round 20. Remember, it's unlimited trades before this round!

The first game in Round 20, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Partizan, tips off on Tuesday, January 9, at 18:30 CET. This contest marks the deadline to get trades done, so don’t leave it too late!

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge!

Last season's Final Four qualifier has separated its third-best scorer from team activities.

 AS Monaco suspends Elie Okobo 

AS Monaco announced on Saturday that guard Elie Okobo has been suspended temporarily for violating the club's internal rules. As a result, Okobo is currently separated from all team activities, calling into question his participation in the next Turkish Airlines EuroLeague double-round week, starting with Monaco's home game on Tuesday against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. Monaco also visits Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens on Thursday.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AS Monaco Basket has temporarily suspended Elie Okobo for violating the Club&#39;s internal rules 🚨<br><br>As a result, Okobo has been banned from all activities relating to AS Monaco for the time being. <a href="https://t.co/sklhflcGEe">pic.twitter.com/sklhflcGEe</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket EN (@asmonaco_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/asmonaco_en/status/1743584026764406808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 


Okobo is Monaco's third leading scorer this season with 10.2 points per game in 19 appearances, three as a starter. Monaco, which reached the EuroLeague Final Four for the first time last season, currently sits in eighth place with a 10-9 record after suffering a pair of losses last week.

More AS Monaco news

AS Monaco suspends Elie Okobo

Social media was awash with reactions to the game served up by Real Madrid Baloncesto and Anadolu Efes S.K., which went to quadruple overtime and became an instant EuroLeague classic.

Social media reacts to Real Madrid-Efes 4OT thriller: 'Work of art'

What a night. [Real Madrid and Anadolu Efes Istanbul competed in a game that will live long in the memory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-real-madrid-baloncesto-vs-anadolu-efes-sk/) on Friday night at WiZink Center, as their quadruple-overtime battle resulted in *Los Blancos* running out as 130-126 winners.

In the immediate aftermath of the game, there was plenty of reaction on social media as fans, journalists and players all offered their thoughts on what they had just witnessed. Following the first-ever quadruple overtime game in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history, a contest which also saw the first-ever triple overtime period take place, there was plenty of emotion from everyone involved.

### The Real Madrid players' reaction

From Facu Campazzo stating that it's going to be 'impossible to sleep tonight' to Mario Hezonja's ode to the game of basketball and Vincent Poirier's humor, several members of the Real squad sent out tweets after a historic night for all involved.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Basketball is the most beautiful sport in the world. Goodnight.</p>&mdash; Mario Hezonja (@mariohezonja) <a href="https://twitter.com/mariohezonja/status/1743409499719798998?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I will keep getting dunk on if we keep winning like that 😂😂</p>&mdash; Vincent Poirier (@viinze_17P) <a href="https://twitter.com/viinze_17P/status/1743414868605120983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I dont know what just happened.. Talk to you guys tomorrow 💆‍♂️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a></p>&mdash; Dzanan Musa (@DzMusa) <a href="https://twitter.com/DzMusa/status/1743419907344146875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Imposible mimir hoy!!! 🫠</p>&mdash; Facu Campazzo (@facucampazzo) <a href="https://twitter.com/facucampazzo/status/1743422315461808274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Partido digno de la noche de Reyes 👏🏽, y regalo para vosotros, madridistas 🙌🏽<br>Rápido ya para casa que sino nos traerán carbón! 😜<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> <a href="https://t.co/qtNsO8WaFK">pic.twitter.com/qtNsO8WaFK</a></p>&mdash; Sergio Llull (@23Llull) <a href="https://twitter.com/23Llull/status/1743411447147720829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This one was crazy 🤯 Hala Madrid ✊🏾🤍 <a href="https://t.co/oJ1u04M0Ih">https://t.co/oJ1u04M0Ih</a></p>&mdash; Guerschon Yabusele (@yabusele28) <a href="https://twitter.com/yabusele28/status/1743406527673716877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Felices reyes a todos. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Halamadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Halamadrid</a> <a href="https://t.co/Tq8lIYBaOT">pic.twitter.com/Tq8lIYBaOT</a></p>&mdash; Fabien Causeur (@FCauseur1) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCauseur1/status/1743427978091205119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">EL ÚNICO EQUIPO QUE TIENE ADN 🧬 <br> LOS DEMÁS SON CUENTOS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/halamadridynadam%C3%A1s?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#halamadridynadamás</a> <a href="https://t.co/5kgjjNEMz8">pic.twitter.com/5kgjjNEMz8</a></p>&mdash; Edy Tavares (@waltertavares22) <a href="https://twitter.com/waltertavares22/status/1743434451970150897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


### Too much adrenaline for some...

'And now what? How am I supposed to sleep?' legendary Real speaker Pedro Bonofiglio asked rhetorically. He likely spoke for most of us last night!

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Y ahora???? Como hago para dormirme???</p>&mdash; Pedro Bonofiglio (@pedrobonofiglio) <a href="https://twitter.com/pedrobonofiglio/status/1743422420763979920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Mid-season passion, EuroLeague-style

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne player Boris Diallo asks: 'Is it the Euroleague playoffs already?'

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">C’est déjà les playoffs euroleague ?😂😂</p>&mdash; Boris Dallo (@DalloBoris12) <a href="https://twitter.com/DalloBoris12/status/1743397156470288836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Garuba, Calderon loved what they were seeing

Usman Garuba, who came through Real's academy and played 53 times in the EuroLeague for *Los Blancos* before heading to the NBA, watched on from across the pond as he showed his astonishment that the game had gone to quadruple overtime.

Retired ex-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz guard and 14-year NBA veteran Jose Calderon was also an interested spectator, stating: 'What a game!'

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4 overtimes is crazy…😳😳😳 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a></p>&mdash; Usman Garuba Alari (@Usmangaruba) <a href="https://twitter.com/Usmangaruba/status/1743399717457826073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡Vaya partidazo! <br>👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻<a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> vs <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a></p>&mdash; José Manuel Calderón (@JmCalderon) <a href="https://twitter.com/JmCalderon/status/1743399406177485233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

AS Monaco guard Jordan Loyd was enjoying the action so much that he wanted a fifth overtime period.

Bostjan Nachbar, the managing director of the EuroLeague Players' Association and an ex-player with 147 appearances in the EuroLeague, said it best with his tweet, too.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What is happening 🤯Let’s go for 5 😂</p>&mdash; Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd/status/1743399536532377964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There’s basketball….and then there is <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> basketball. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fact?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fact</a></p>&mdash; Boštjan Nachbar (@BokiNachbar) <a href="https://twitter.com/BokiNachbar/status/1743405803023806559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### The response from the media

Some media members were lucky enough to be inside WiZink Center, with the reaction Movistar+ analyst Piti Hurtado reacting with passion at the final buzzer after witnessing a celebration of basketball.

Meanwhile, MARCA and El Chiringuito journalist Jose Felix Diaz was taken aback by the way in which Real boss Chus Mateo and Efes head coach Erdem Can amicably came together after the final buzzer: 'And the best thing is that they ended by hugging and greeting each other in the face of the work of art they have produced.'

Finally, MARCA published an image of a scoreboard that will be written in the history books.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What were you doing on the 5th of January 2024? <br><br>We were witnessing HISTORY 👀 <br><br>The first EVER game to finish in a 4th OT 🚨 the wildest ending to a game ever?! <a href="https://t.co/aYfJJ17nSn">pic.twitter.com/aYfJJ17nSn</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1743582946773147999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After last night 👀 <br><br>Nobody disagreeing with <a href="https://twitter.com/mariohezonja?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mariohezonja</a> 🗣 <a href="https://t.co/rKcRglslw0">pic.twitter.com/rKcRglslw0</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1743594043437650308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Si no vibras con un partido como el de hoy, es que estás muerto en vida.<br><br>Vaya regalo poder verlo en primera fila y comentarlo junto a <a href="https://twitter.com/LaloAlzueta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaloAlzueta</a>. Energía pura. <br><br>¡CUATRO PRÓRROGAS! Historia de la Euroliga.<br>Es un deporte maravilloso.<br>El cable. <a href="https://t.co/c1GTSPoYXW">pic.twitter.com/c1GTSPoYXW</a></p>&mdash; Piti Hurtado (@PitiHurtado) <a href="https://twitter.com/PitiHurtado/status/1743430143308444097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Y lo mejor es que han terminado repartiendo abrazos y saludos ante la obra de arte que han hecho</p>&mdash; José Félix Díaz (@jfelixdiaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/jfelixdiaz/status/1743408412497473998?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡Final! Termina un partido histórico en la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Euroliga?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Euroliga</a>. <br><br>Real Madrid 130-126 Anadolu. Cuatro cuartos... y cuatro prórrogas. Lo nunca visto. <a href="https://t.co/sp4zgBsfG0">pic.twitter.com/sp4zgBsfG0</a></p>&mdash; MARCA (@marca) <a href="https://twitter.com/marca/status/1743404670817583250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

An unforgettable night led to many posts on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Real Madrid v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-01-05T19:45:00.000Z)

The French club LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne decided for the second time this season to change head coaches.

 ASVEL, Pozzecco part ways after two months

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne announced early Saturday that it has parted ways with head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and replaced him with Pierric Poupet, who had been the assistant coach and becomes the team's third head of the bench this season. Pozzecco had joined ASVEL in November as a replacement for T.J. Parker, the brother of team president Tony Parker.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">✍️ Communiqué officiel du club<br><br>La direction de LDLC ASVEL a pris la décision de se séparer de Gianmarco POZZECCO et trouvé un accord avec le coach italien pour une rupture de contrat amiable, à effet immédiat. <br><br>Afin de donner un nouvel élan à notre équipe professionnelle pour… <a href="https://t.co/S8xeu8vFQ1">pic.twitter.com/S8xeu8vFQ1</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1743558858600050905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Pozzecco's promising start before losing streak

Pozzecco became a first-time EuroLeague head coach when ASVEL hired him in late October following the team's 0-4 start. He won his second game, against Zalgiris Kaunas, and his fourth, against ALBA Berlin, both on the road. But the 10 losses in a row after that included a 100-101 overtime thriller on the opening night of the new LDLC Arena.

Pozzecco's departure comes despite his team's best game of the season just two days earlier, a 93-79 victory over Zalgiris that was ASVEL's first home win all season. As such, Pozzecco finished with a 3-12 mark, with four of those defeats coming by 3 points or less. ASVEL continues to occupy last place in the EuroLeague standins with a 3-16 overall record.

Pozzecco had earned rave reviews since becoming Italy's head coach in the summer of 2022, with the Azzurri reaching the quarterfinals at both EuroBasket 2022 and the 2023 FIBA World Cup. He had been on EuroLeague sidelines before as Ettore Messina’s assistant at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan during its playoff run in the 2020-21 season.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Premier entraînement sous les ordres du nouveau head coach Pierric Poupet 🫡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/JdEE5UDPbK">pic.twitter.com/JdEE5UDPbK</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1743599625347400025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### New coach joined ASVEL recently

Poupet, 39, is a former player who spent one season each in the EuroLeague and EuroCup with Chorale Roane between 2006 and 2009. He played 18 pro seasons total in his native France, competing in the second division for the last 10 of those before retiring in 2020. He joined ASVEL as an assistant coach last year.

More ASVEL news

The French club decided for the second time this season to change head coaches.


After 5,710 games played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this century, and 18 that went in to double-overtime, Real Madrid and Anadolu Efes Istanbul took it – two steps further. The last two EuroLeague champions battled it out for full 60 minutes with [Real eventually coming out on top 130-126](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/170/).

A game that tipped off at 20:45 CET, finished 3 hours and 3 minutes later, about 12 minutes before midnight local time. It was an epic that [set more than dozen different all-time records](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/a-record-breaking-euroleague-game-that-had-it-all/), some competition, some club and some individual.

Naturally, there was loads of drama, and it couldn't be any other way when four different periods – fourth quarter and three ensuing overtimes – finish with the score tied.

**Fourth quarter: Larkin misses for the win**

Efes  led l74-79 with 2:52 to go after Shane Larkin's fourth three-pointer for Efes. But Real's Dzanan Musa finished at the rim with Tyrique Jones almost blocking his attempt, then nailed a three-pointer that got his personal tally to 30 points.

Players from both teams were diving after loose balls, but it was free throws, a pair each from Larkin on one end and Musa on the other that made it 81-81.

Coach Erdem Can decided not to call a timeout after Musa's free throws with 27 seconds left. The ball went to Larkin on an isolation play against Causeur. Larkin milked the shot-clock all the way, worrying not to leave too much time for Real to go the other way. Efes superstar guard went to his right for a tough off-balanced triple, but was way off. There were only a couple of seconds left on the clock, and all Real's Facundo Campazzo could do was miss a long heave at the buzzer. We headed to overtime!

The end of the fourth quarter

**OT1: Hezonja's game-winner rolls out**

Things were going back and fourth, and players were becoming nervous, as it is usually the case when things go into overtime. Real jumped to an 88-84 lead with 3 minutes left, but points were few and far between after that.

Larkin scored an unbelievable reverse layup, drawing a foul from Tavares, who was then called for a technical foul after his reaction. Larkin made additional free throws to tie it. Musa got a friendly roll on a runner with 2:38 left on the clock to make it 90-88, which ended up being the final field goal of this extra session.

Larkin missed another technical free throw, then Darius Thompson split his foul shots. Campazzo did the same with 18 seconds to go to make it 91-89. Real did not want to see Efes shoot for the win, so Causeur sent Larkin to the free throw line, who made his shots with 8.3 seconds left. Coach Chus Mateo called a timeout, and a perfectly drawn up play had Hezonja with a great look for a game-winning three-pointer, only for the ball to rim out after it almost looked as it would go in.

The end of the first overtime

**OT2: Real rallies as Hezonja beats the buzzer**

Efes suffered an injury blow with Jones ran off court with what looked like a separated shoulder. But apart from that, everything was perfect for the visitors. Back-to-back-to-back three-pointers from Larkin, Tibor Pleiss and Thompson opened a 93-102 lead with 2:18 to go.

Foul shots from Walter Tavares and Campazzo got Real within 5 points, but the hosts only scored one field goal before the final minute of this period. Efes had a possession entering the final minute, but Fabien Causeur of Real did great job defending Larkin which led to Darius Thompson attempting a runner for Efes that had no chance against Tavares. Real did what it does best, with Campazzo pushing a fastbreak and finding a wide-open Causeur for a transition triple with 32 seconds to go.

With the score 100-102, the action kept moving, and ball again went to Larkin, again against Causeur. Larkin had a chance to ice the game as this time he shook off Causeur and tried a floater over Tavares, but the high-arching ball hit the back rim.

Tavares grabbed the defensive board, found Campazzo who raced the other way. Efes did a nice job defending transition, so Campazzo dumped the ball to Hezonja who had Pleiss on him. The freshly crowned December MVP went by the Efes big man, but had another center, Dan Oturu waiting in the paint. Hezonja adjusted and managed to take a hook shot while crossing the lane. It fell right on the buzzer and Wizink Center erupted. 

Hezonja could not believe he made the shot, which assured that we were going to witness the first EuroLeague game ever to go beyond two overtimes.

The end of the second overtime

**OT3: Real survives, again**

One might have thought Efes will be down after that second-overtime collapse, but no. Not even when Real jumped in front 109-107 after Hezonja's fifth three-pointer and free throws by Musa that took him to 36 points.

Daniel Oturu was there for Efes, first making 2 foul shots to tie the game, then after Hezonja stepped out of bounds, he fought off Tavares and tipped in Larkin's miss to make it 109-111 with 14.0 on the clock.

Real head coach Chus Mateo called a timeout, and again, Real executed what he drew up perfectly. Campazzo found Tavares, who dunked it with force with 5.3 seconds remaining.

Now, coach Erdem called a timeout, after which Thompson in-bounded the ball for Larkin, who drove past Causeur, through the lane, and shot a runner over the outstretched arm Tavares, only for the ball to drop on the front rim and roll off to the side.

We were destined for overtime No.4!

The end of the third overtime

**OT4: Musa and Hezonja help Los Blancos come out victorious**

After low scoring in the first three overtimes, the teams went about trading baskets in the fourth. Hezonja nailed his sixth triple to make it 117-115, but Oturu and Thompson made close-range baskets to tie it back up at 119-119.

Efes even had possession go back in front, but Larkin threw the ball right into the hands of Sergio Llull, who ignited a fastbreak that Hezonja ended with a layup. That proved to be when Real took the lead for good.

Musa made it 123-120, and after Larkin and Oturu connected for a monster alley-oop dunk, Hezonja answered with his seventh triple on his club-record 17th attempt, 126-122.

Efes did get one final glimmer of hope, when Musa was called for unsportsmanlike foul when scoring past Pleiss. The basket gave Musa 40 points for the night. However, Pleiss - playing in his 53rd minute, a new EuroLeague record only exceeded by Larkin - missed 1 of 2 free throws. Then Mike Daum missed a long three-pointer for Efes and the hosts were final able to ice the game they survived three times.

The end of the fourth overtime

Game News

Game Video

Historic quadruple OT game: How it happened

Real Madrid downed Anadolu Efes Istanbul 130-126 after four overtime. See what players and coaches had to say after this historical game. 

 They said it after 4 OTS: 'Basketball is the most beautiful sport in the world' 

### Chus Mateo, Real head coach

"It's amazing what happened tonight. They deserved to win. We deserved to win. We fought until the end. Probably, it's impossible to see this in another league that is not the EuroLeague. Both teams fighting like crazy for the victory, and it was amazing the heart that both teams put on the court."

"I cannot talk much about numbers tonight because it is absurd. We have to talk today about being a team with a lot of heart, just as Efes, that played with a lot of heart. I would like to congratulate Efes because they fought until the end, just like us. None of the teams wanted to leave the court and we both wanted to win. It is always important to win but it was not critical. We have a gap in the standings that can make you think we have some margin of error, but we didn't want to go. We wanted to win the game and we fought until the end to do that. I have to thank our fans because Wizink Center was amazing tonight. Our fans carried us when we were having the hardest time and helped us hold on to the game and fight with them, together. This win belongs to my players, who I am very proud of, and for our fans.

Chus Mateo, Real Madrid: 'It's amazing what happened tonight'

"The team didn't stop believing. We had some setbacks, not hitting a open shot to win the game or missing a free throw that could have sealed the game earlier, and then they tied it, but we bounced back. The team has faith and character, and I like to see that. It says a lot about the character of a champion team. We fight and want to win. A lot always goes on in Real Madrid but my players have a lot of heart, they are proud and ambitious. They don't give up on any loose ball and dive for it. I have to tip my hat off. Both teams, actually, I will tip my hat for my team, and Erdem Can should do the same with his team. They deserved the win just as much as we did."

Dzanan Musa, Real: 'I have a story to tell'

### Dzanan Musa, Real player

"I have a story to tell. Mario \[Hezonja\] was taping me today, and he said, 'When I tape you, you will score 40.' I swear to god."

"This team is crazy! I am proud of my teammates and I thank them for this night. I am very proud of the team and also very proud of me. I need to sleep now, to sleep a lot and rest a bit because we have another game in two days. We have to rest and enjoy this win."

### Mario Hezonja, Real player

"First of all, it's embarrassing to shoot 17 threes. In front of my teammates, that's a little embarrassing. But to miss those easy ones and make the harder ones, I don't know... Basketball is the most beautiful sport in the world, man. This is crazy to experience. It was amazing to be part of history like this. and I'm so glad that we won, of course. Unbelievable game.

"I am very proud to be a Real Madrid player. I always thought that we could win and never left the game. I learned these things here, in Real Madrid, to always fight. We had a very good experience in the past against Partizan in the playoffs, and this is just a EuroLeague regular season game, but it is a good win for us and we have to keep going.

"I don't remember anything like today. It was very special because I was on the court, playing for a club I love so much, with my teammates. Today, I am very proud to be in Real Madrid, really. We always try the same, which is winning, and always prepare to win. Some players were on the court almost 50 minutes but it doesn't matter. We are ready and know how the calendar is. We have to be mentally and physically 100%, and carry on. Back to the gym tomorrow, me and Mr. Alberto Abalde! There is no rest! There will be a lot of great pictures from this game, and I will keep many of them."

Mario Hezonja, Real: 'Basketball is the most beautiful sport in the world, man.'

### Erdem Can, Efes coach

"I would like to congratulate both sides. It was a great effort from both sides, everybody did their best to win the game. I think people watched a good basketball game over here. We desperately needed this win, to be honest, but our players fought until the last shot and did not give up, and that is the picture that we want to give. As long as we play with this mindset, we will turn things in a different way, I believe. One more time, I would like to congratulate Madrid. Real Madrid is, right now, not just today but since the beginning of the season, the best basketball team and we enjoy watching them. It was a good game but heart-breaking for us, another loss after the last four games. Small things decided it, but today, our players did not give up and I am proud of them."

Erdem Can, Efes: 'A great effort from both sides'

Game Videos

They said it after 4 OTS: 'Basketball is the most beautiful sport in the world'

Real Madrid Baloncesto and Anadolu Efes S.K. played out an instant classic in Round 19 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season, which will forever be remembered in the history books.

A record-breaking game that had it all!

January 6, 2024, will go down in basketball history as the night that the last two champions played the longest game ever in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

[Real Madrid defeated Anadolu Efes Istanbul 130-126 after four overtimes in the 5,711th game played since the EuroLeague was founded in 2000](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/170/#boxscore). None of the other games before it surpassed two overtimes.

Each of them broke the previous single-game record for points by any one team, which had been 123 by both Panathinaikos Athens, 15 seasons ago, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, almost 20 seasons ago.

Their combined total of 256 points shattered the single-game record for two teams, which had been 232 when Panathinaikos beat Fortitudo Bologna 114-118 back in the 2003-04 season.

Real Madrid head coach

Probably, it's impossible to see this in another league that is not the EuroLeague."

It was that kind of unforgettable night. After 19 ties, 16 lead changes and 60 minutes, neither team should have had to lose.

"It's amazing what happened tonight," winning [Real coach Chus Mateo said](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/videos/chus-mateo-real-madrid-its-amazing-what-happened-tonight/) after he walked off the court. "They deserved to win. We deserved to win. We fought until the end. Probably, it's impossible to see this in another league that is not the EuroLeague. Both teams fighting like crazy for the victory, and it was amazing the heart that both teams put on the court."

### Records watch

No EuroLeague team ever had three players score 25 points or more in the same game. For Real, [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) scored 40, [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) 31 – both career highs – and [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) 25.

No EuroLeague team ever had four players with PIRs of 25 or higher until Real on Friday with Musa (46), Campazzo (30), Hezonja (26) and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) (35).

Musa's 40 points, 15 field goals and 13 two-pointers made were all club records.

Hezonja's 17 three-pointers and 24 field goals attempted were the most ever by a Real player.

For Efes, [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) and [Tibor Pleiss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tibor-pleiss/lhk/) became the first two EuroLeague players ever to surpass 50 minutes played in any game ever. Larkin now has the record with 53 minutes, 11 seconds. Pleiss is right behind with 52 minutes, 56 seconds.

As a team, Efes recorded the most rebounds in club history with 56, which matched the fifth-highest total ever in the EuroLeague.

### And another thing

Of course, both teams also set a record for the most collective points in overtime, given they had double the OTs of any game ever before. In fact, in playing 60 minutes, Efes and Real played a game and a half. 

But one of the most remarkable things about this utterly remarkable night was that the two teams had the energy and willpower to score more points in the "third half" of their game than in the first two.

The first half ended 38-36 and the second one ended 43-45 for an 81-81 tie.  But that "third half" - 4 five-minute overtimes strung together - produced the most points, 49-45.

Playing another half of a game after the first one should have ended, when players are normally exhausted, even more so in a close game, the players of Real Madrid and Anadolu Efes Istanbul gave us even more fireworks to marvel at.

Whatever they say about never underestimating the heart of a champion applied to both teams this time.

Mario Hezonja celebrates during Real Madrid's epic 130-126 quadruple-overtime triumph over Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 19 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

There were plenty of numbers to crunch after the first four-overtime game in EuroLeague history.

Panathinaikos B.C. downed Valencia Basket 81-82 in Round 19 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season, with Luca Vildoza stepping up to end the Greens' 18-game losing run on Spanish soil.

Luca Vildoza fired on all cylinders as Panathinaikos B.C. ended its Spanish jinx

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens ground out a somewhat fortuitous but ultimately [well-deserved 81-82 win at Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-valencia-basket-vs-panathinaikos-bc/), which gave the Greens their first win in 19 road games against Spanish rivals on Friday.

It also erased the bitter taste of a tough 75-73 loss at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz on Wednesday, as the Greek team improved to 11-8 and boosted its hopes of reaching the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs. Valencia dropped to 10-9 after seeing victory slip through its fingers in a dramatic finish.

### Luca Vildoza was the star man

With Kostas Sloukas unexpectedly sidelined several hours before the game, the visiting team’s backup playmaker Luca Vildoza stepped up to the plate and inspired Panathinaikos as he finished on a game-high 19 points, shooting 5-of-7 from downtown and 7-of-10 overall.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When the MVP enters the room 😬<br><br>Luca, are you okay? 🫨🤣<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a> <a href="https://t.co/SPP6APq7Gl">pic.twitter.com/SPP6APq7Gl</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1743398404430946451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It was a welcome and timely reprieve for Vildoza, who came under scrutiny after some patchy performances, having struggled to hit the ground running at Panathinaikos after joining the six-time former EuroLeague champion from Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade during the offseason.

He produced his best performance this term at a happy hunting ground which brought back the fondest memories. “This court brings back a lot of happy memories as I won the \[Spanish\] League here with Baskonia,” a delighted Vildoza said in a flash post-game interview.

“I’ve been working hard and to be here is amazing. The team is showing character as we are building something great here. I am really happy for the team, but we have to keep working and keep improving,” he added.

Luca Vildoza of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens had a game-high 19 points against Valencia Basket in Round 19 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Vildoza's highlights vs. Valencia

### A game that went down to the wire

The visitors won in the most dramatic fashion, as Mathias Lessort sank the game-winning free throw with 1.9 seconds left on the clock after Valencia had committed an offensive foul. Harper’s desperate attempt to force a final twist came to nothing as his shot at the buzzer was well off the mark.

The outcome was a welcome relief for head coach Ergin Ataman, who saw his team suffer a tough loss at Baskonia in similar circumstances.  “We won the same way that we lost two days ago at Baskonia,” he said.

“We didn’t play well offensively as we were without Sloukas, who is the key to our offense. Kendrick Nunn had one of his worst games of the season, but Luca \[Vildoza\] and \[Jerian\] Grant kept the team up. We played good defense in the last 3 or 4 minutes and never gave up. It’s a very important win for us as we’ve now beaten Valencia twice this season.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">WIN 💚☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a> <a href="https://t.co/eJU6t7hYTs">pic.twitter.com/eJU6t7hYTs</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1743396863946965422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Grant was also instrumental in the visiting team’s success, having posted 13 points and 8 rebounds to complement Vildoza’s shooting prowess and Lessort’s die-hard approach. Grant pointed out that Panathinaikos was tailor-made for tough matchups going down to the wire.

“Our team is built for close games like this, we’ve been playing them all year and we’re getting better and better,” he commented. “We did it together, getting stops and sharing the ball, as well as making shots when we needed to.”

More Panathinaikos News

Luca Vildoza of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens scores against Valencia Basket in Round 19 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Argentine guard came up big for the Greens, who snapped their 18-game losing streak on Spanish soil.

Luca Vildoza fired on all cylinders as Panathinaikos ended its Spanish jinx

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