Panathinaikos BC's unforgettable game-winner by Marius Grigonis wouldn’t have been possible without another player: Kendrick Nunn. 

Kendrick Nunn’s fourth-quarter explosion made comeback possible 

Marius Grigonis was the hero for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens on Wednesday night, sinking a game-winning three-pointer as time expired to seal a memorable 90-91 victory for the Greens at AS Monaco. But that unforgettable moment wouldn’t have been possible without another player: Kendrick Nunn.

It certainly didn’t look that way at the end of the third quarter, when the Greens trailed by double digits, 67-56, and Nunn was enduring a genuinely awful evening. By that time the American guard had managed just 1 free throw, missing all six of his field goal attempts.

But the first basket of the final quarter saw Nunn finally score his first two-point attempt, having missed his previous five, and that boost in confidence sparked a rather remarkable run of play. 30 seconds later Nunn was at the foul line, making both free throws after being fouled in the act of shooting. Then he was driving again, offloading for Mathias Lessort to convert with a foul, and the center duly completed a three-point play to give the visiting team some hope.

Kendrick Nunn had a huge 4th quarter in Monaco

Still, it wasn’t that much hope because Monaco kept on firing at the other end, with three-pointers from Alpha Diallo and Kemba Walker making it a 12-point margin, 78-66, with 6 minutes remaining. But Nunn had the bit between his teeth and scored inside again, added a triple, grabbed a defensive rebound and dished another assist to Lessort...and suddenly it was just a 5-point game.

Monaco was on the ropes and called a timeout...after which Nunn promptly snared a steal and recorded another assist, finding Juancho Hernangomez. Incredibly, he still wasn’t finished and scored two more baskets on his team’s next two possessions, giving himself a total of 13 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal in 7 minutes and making the score 82-81 with three minutes remaining.

Game Videos

After that, the Nunn show was finally finished and his teammates took over, culminating in Grigonis’s game-winning heroics, but they wouldn’t even have stood a chance of mounting a comeback without the all-round explosion offered by Nunn.

Victorious coach Ergin Ataman was happy to concede that point after the game, commenting: “In the first three quarters Kendrick Nunn couldn’t find his points, and that was a problem. But he started to score, he broke the defense and then we had a chance to recover, and we came back into the game.”

Back into the game, to win the game, and all thanks to Kendrick Nunn.

Game News

After an abysmal three quarters, the Panathinaikos guard exploded in the fourth to lead the Greens' late rally. 

AS Monaco v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2023-12-20T18:00:00.000Z)

Live Blog: FC Bayern Munich vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul

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Coach Pablo Laso's men claimed their fourth consecutive home win with a balanced effort. 

Bayern overpowers Efes 86-71

FC Bayern Munich v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2023-12-20T19:30:00.000Z)

Live Blog: EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

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Nicolo Melli scored 17 to lead Milan to its second straight win. 

Milan cruises to 84-61 victory over ASVEL

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-12-20T19:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul needed everything it had to beat Zalgiris Kaunas 80-78 at home in Round 15, including a little bit of luck. Tyler Dorsey provided the magic touch with one of the craziests baskets in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history. 

Dorsey makes magic in Istanbul 

Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul needed everything it had to beat Zalgiris Kaunas 80-78 at home in Round 15, including a little bit of luck. Tyler Dorsey provided the magic touch with one of the craziest baskets in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history.

Fenerbahce trailed most of the way and was way behind, 28-40, at halftime. A change of attitude allowed Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius's team to bounce back and take a 77-70 margin with over 3 minutes left. Zalgiris was not done, as Edmond Sumner and Keenan Evans each hit a three-pointer to bring the guests within 77-76.

That's when Dorsey worked out his magic, turning Ulker Sports and Event Hall upside down.

Fenerbahce tried a long offense off a timeout and Scottie Wilbekin missed from downtown. Johnathan Motley grabbed the offensive rebound and found Dorsey going towards the baseline. Tomas Dimsa fouled him, sending him out of bounds, but Dorsey shot the ball up, over the backboard, and it went through the rim, barely touching the net.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/TDORSEY_1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TDORSEY_1</a> with one of the craziest shots you&#39;re going to see 👀 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/TKPcBGqI77">pic.twitter.com/TKPcBGqI77</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1737558572534235578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

"I did \[see the rim\] but growing up, they teach you that when you hear tyhe whistle, you have to throw it up to the rim! I just put it up there," Dorsey said about his fantastic play. "I don't practice that but I got some luck today, thankfully."

Dorsey hit the additional free throws and even when Evans brought Zalgiris within 80-78, he also missed a shot that would have forced overtime.

When the dust settled, Dorsey had not just hit one of the shots of the decade but had also led his team with season highs of 19 points and a PIR of 24.

"We knew they are a hard-nosed team. They fight every game no matter what's the score or who they are playing. They had a good first half, we were giving them too many easy baskets going to the rim and in the paint, and open threes. And we knew it going into the second half, we had to defend better. And when we defended, got rebounds, we got easy baskets in transition. I think we have so many weapons when we get in transition and move the ball. You see what we did in the second half."

After being outrebounded  11-16 in the first half, Fenerbahce won the battle of the boards after the break, 19-13, pulling down 6 of them on the offensive end. Zalgiris reached halftime with 15 assists and 3 turnovers. After the break, the guests picked up 11 turnovers and only had 5 assists. All that allowed Fenerbahce to get a come-from-behind win, with a little bit of luck.

Tyler Dorsey provided the magic touch for Fenerbahce on Wednesday with one of the craziest baskets in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history. 

Tyler Dorsey made magic in Istanbul 

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-12-20T17:30:00.000Z)

After providing one of the highlights of the season with a game-winning three-pointer on the final buzzer, giving Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens a stunning 90-91 victory over host AS Monaco on Wednesday night, Marius Grigonis did his best to downplay his magic moment as just one of those things. 

Marius Grigonis stays cool after magic moment 

After providing one of the highlights of the season with a game-winning three-pointer on the final buzzer, giving Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens a stunning 90-91 victory over host AS Monaco on Wednesday night, Marius Grigonis did his best to downplay his magic moment as just one of those things.

Only 2.5 seconds were remaining for the final possession, which saw the ball worked inside to Dinos Mitoglou, who kicked it out for Grigonis to make an instant strike on the perimeter. He sank the shot to prompt wild celebrations from his teammates and the loud contingent of traveling fans inside the arena, but the modest game-winner was in no mood to boast.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Court side cam 🎥 <br><br>Another angle of the Grigonis winner... <br><br>Poetry in motion 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/60n6JQ1Z8v">pic.twitter.com/60n6JQ1Z8v</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1737577223505199150?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“To be honest it’s a split second so you just get the ball and shoot it,” he smiled. “There's no time to think. You shoot every day during practice, and sometimes you make them in the last seconds.”

His teammates were somewhat more excitable, though, and one in particular almost left Grigonis wishing he had missed.

“They almost killed me in the huddle!" joked the Lithuanian sharpshooter. “Mathias \[Lessort\] is a big dude and he grabbed me...I almost lost all my hair!”

The emotions were, of course, very different on the other side of the ball, and Monaco coach Sasa Obradovic seemed to be still in shock as he attempted to digest a game he thought had been won when Elie Okobo made it 90-88 with just 2.5 seconds remaining.

“You lose once in ten years like this,” he lamented, summing up a wild finale at the Salle Gaston Medecin which will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Live Blog: AS Monaco vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

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Marius Grigonis's triple decided the game after Panathinaikos rallied from 15 down. 

Greens stun Monaco on the buzzer, 90-91 

After trailing by as many as 14, Fenerbahce Istanbul fought back to beat Zalgiris Kaunas 80-78 and remain undefeated at home this season.

Live Blog: Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Zalgiris Kaunas

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Tyler Dorsey starred with 19 points for the winners, who remain perfect at home this season.

Fenerbahce rallies from 14 down to edge Zalgiris 80-78

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings are close as ever, and that makes on Wednesday showdown particularly consequential even before tipoff.

Monaco looks to stay unbeaten against Panathinaikos

[AS Monaco vs. AKTOR Athens Panathinaikos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/132/) is a game that might have a ripple effect in the standings. After Tuesday night's action, Monaco (8-6) sits between pairs of 9-6 and 8-7 teams, while Panathinaikos and two other teams playing Wednesday are right behind at 7-7 each. The Greens broke a three-game losing streak with an 81-89 road win against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne last week. Monaco has played five of its last six games on the road, and is no doubt happy to be back at Salle Gaston Medecin, where it has a 4-1 record in its last five home dates.

### Panathinaikos looks for elusive win

Panathinaikos will have another opportunity to get its first win ever against Monaco. Neither had faced the other until Monaco made its EuroLeague debut with [a 75-63 home win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2021-22/as-monaco-panathinaikos-opap-athens/E2021/1/) against Panathinaikos on September 30, 2021. Danilo Andjusic led the way with 17 points. Later that season, [Monaco edged the Greens 83-91](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2021-22/panathinaikos-opap-athens-as-monaco/E2021/211/) in Athens with 29 points from [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/).

Last season, too, Monaco won both of their games. Monaco visited OAKA Altion first and grabbed [an 80-83 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/panathinaikos-athens-as-monaco/E2022/34/) as James once again starred with 27 points, 12 fouls drawn and a PIR of 29. At Salle Gaston Medecin, [Monaco bested Panathinaikos 84-70](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/as-monaco-panathinaikos-athens/E2022/241/) on 18 points each from [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) and [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/). Down 4-0 in their head-to-head history, Panathinaikos will be intent on finally breaking through with a victory.

### Two stars wore both jerseys

A couple of key players who have worn both teams' jerseys will be alert not to pass to the wrong team on Thursday. 

Mathias Lessort helped AS Monaco win the 2020-21 EuroCup title.

2020-21 EuroCup highlights: Mathias Lessort, AS Monaco

James was with Panathinaikos for the better part of two seasons, helping the team reach the EuroLeague Playoffs in 2017 and 2018 but missing the Final Four in both cases despite starting those series with home-court advantage. James, who originally played in the Final Four with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2016, returned to the biggest stage with Monaco last spring.

Panathinaikos star center [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) helped Monaco win the 2020-21 EuroCup title. He earned All-EuroCup First Team honors that season, averaging 12.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and a PIR of 17.8. Lessort already faced Monaco last season, when he played for Partizan Mozzartbet Belgrade, averaging 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and a PIR of 18.5 in two wins against his former team.

### Greens have shooting numbers in their favor

Panathinaikos has been shooting the ball better on the road than Monaco does at home, a potential key if the Greens are to challenge for a win in the principality.

Luca Vildoza, Jerian Grant and Marius Grigonis average over 40.0% from downtown in road games this season.

Panathinaikos's road sharp shooters

On the road, Panathinaikos has hit 37.6% of its shots from behind the arc and 54.9% of all two-pointers. Monaco has lower numbers at home (37.3% 3FG, 52.3% 2FG) but excels on the offensive glass, pulling down 13.0 boards per night at home, four more than its opponents. Only Diallo is hitting over 40% of his three-point shots at home (44.4% 3FG). James ranks second at 38.7%. Monaco should need more accuracy to have a better chance to win the game, especially since Panathinaikos has three players shooting over 40% on the road this season: [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/) (47.1% 3FG), [Marius Grigonis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marius-grigonis/002328/) (43.3%), who is listed as questionable, and [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/) (42.9%). However, Panathinaikos will want to do better than its 72.2% free throw accuracy away from OAKA, which ranks 17th among all EuroLeague teams on the road.

Both teams know each other well, and with two masterminds like Monaco's head coach Sasa Obradovic and Ergin Ataman of Panathinaikos on the sidelines, EuroLeague fans can expect plenty of tactical surprises in what should be an outstanding game at Salle Gaston Medecin on Wednesday.

For the second time in four days, a team ranked in the bottom three ambushed the same would-be title contender, showing again that there's no such thing as an easy EuroLeague game.

Against Barca, ALBA proved why #EveryGameMatters

ALBA Berlin's sublime defensive display in the third quarter was key to grabbing [a huge 74-70 victory over FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-fc-barcelona/E2023/127/) at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Despite sitting bottom of the table coming into Round 15, the German team looked second-place Barca in the eye and demonstrated once again why every game matters in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Coming into Tuesday's clash in Berlin, Barcelona was averaging 84.0 points this season. Yet, ALBA managed to hold the EuroLeague's fifth-best offense to just 70 points, thanks largely to solid defense after intermission, an unexpected achievement from a team that had conceded 86.5 points per game to opponents through the first 14 rounds.

FC Barcelona was dominant in the first quarter, leading 7-19 after 3 minutes, though ALBA bounced back and cut the difference to 38-41 at halftime. That's when the hosts found an extra gear on offense inspired by some hustle plays on defense. ALBA went on a 9-0 run to open the third quarter by seizing a 47-41 and held on despite Barcelona's comeback attempt in crunch time.

"We played a great game, especially on defense," ALBA center [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/) said. "At the end, we made our shots. We almost gave it away in the last 2 minutes, but I'm really happy that we've got the win."

In the first half, Barcelona recorded 7 turnovers, but in the third quarter coughed up 6 more, with 4 of those coming on steals by ALBA. The hosts finished with 9 steals total, led by [Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sterling-brown/012720/) with 3, and netter 18 points off Barcelona's 14 total turnovers.

ALBA Berlin's top steals vs. Barcelona in Round 15

"I'm very happy because this is a very good win against such a good team like Barcelona," ALBA head coach Israel Gonzalez stressed after the game. "I think we defended very well, especially in the third quarter, when they had problems scoring. Also, we rebounded well on defense. I think that we took a step forward on defense today, and I'm happy about that."

Indeed, Barcelona scored just 11 points in the third quarter, when ALBA managed 18. At game's end, ALBA had forced the visitors into just 25.0% shooting from behind the arc (6-for-24) despite Barcelona having ranked third in this category (38.1%) in the first 14 rounds. 

[Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/), who scored a team-high 13 points for ALBA and had 2 of his team's 9 steals, believes his teammates are showing signs what they can do in the future.

"We're just starting to finally build some chemistry," Thomas said post-game. "It's just taking a little longer than everyone wanted. We have a lot of new players in the team this season, and I think that things are slowly starting to click."

Tuesday's victory over Barcelona could definitely serve as a springboard for an ALBA side that won but a single game in the first 11 rounds, but have aced two of four games since then and proven they can cause some trouble if underestimated by opponents.

Against Barca, ALBA proved why every game matters

ALBA Berlin v FC Barcelona (2023-12-19T19:00:00.000Z)