Mathias Lessort played an important role for Panathinaikos Athens as it beat FC Bayern Munich 78-71 in Round 2 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Lessort stepped up in Sloukas’s absence to lift Panathinaikos past Bayern

Panathinaikos Athens captain Kostas Sloukas missed Thursday night’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game against FC Bayern Munich due to injury, but Mathias Lessort stepped with a dominant display in the paint as the [Greens won 78-71 at OAKA Altion](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-panathinaikos-bc-vs-fc-bayern-munich/).

The French center combined well with Luca Vildoza in the first quarter and scored 6 points in the opening 10 minutes, including a couple of ferocious dunks off beautiful passes from his teammate.

Lessort added another 8 points in the third quarter and finished the game with a team-high 16 points, going 7-for-10 on field goals and 2-for-3 from the free-throw line in a player-of-the-match performance for the hosts.

“I just try to do my job, to help the team,” Lessort said after the game. “Tonight it was a good night for me. Next time it’s going to be a good night for somebody else. The most important \[thing\] is to get better every game as a team, not me personally. Get the automatisms going and get in better shape by the end of the season.”

Mathias Lessort had 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block as Panathinaikos Athens beat FC Bayern Munich 78-71 in Round 2 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Lessort's highlights vs. Bayern

### Lessort made his presence felt

Lessort also grabbed 6 rebounds and drew 4 fouls against a strong Bayern frontcourt featuring experienced players such as Serge Ibaka and Devin Booker. Panathinaikos may not have impressed with its performance on Thursday night, but Lessort believes that everyone should trust in the process and take it game by game.

“We are a new team,” he stated. “We are still trying to figure out each other. We just got to get better every game and every day. That’s the most important \[thing\].”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Bravo Monsieur! 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/ThiasLsf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThiasLsf</a> 💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBBasketball</a> 78-71 <a href="https://t.co/tSRPPugP2d">pic.twitter.com/tSRPPugP2d</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1712565336028176706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Slowly becoming a fans’ favorite

What is certain is that after his solid performance against Bayern, Lessort is earning his way into the hearts of Panathinaikos fans.

He achieved that over the last two years at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and could certainly do the same with the passionate PAO home crowd.

In fact, he managed to get the fans off their seats with his two slams in the opening quarter, and everyone in Athens is aware that this is just the beginning of Lessort’s love story with Panathinaikos.

More Panathinaikos News

Mathias Lessort opens his hand for a low-five with Panathinaikos Athens teammate Luca Vildoza during the team's Round 2 win against FC Bayern Munich in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Frenchman is already starting to endear himself to the Greens' fans.

Panathinaikos Athens v FC Bayern Munich (2023-10-12T18:15:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz overcame a disappointing fourth-quarter performance to beat ALBA Berlin 86-91 and secure its first win of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Baskonia gets a road win on a 'bad day'

It wasn't always pretty on Thursday night, but Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz will return from the German capital with its first win of the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. At Mercedes-Benz Arena against ALBA Berlin, Baskonia knocked down 12 three-pointers, overcame 20 turnovers and stopped the hosts' fourth-quarter rally en route to [an 86-91 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-alba-berlin-vs-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/).

"We played terrible in the fourth quarter," Baskonia head coach Joan Penarroya said with a wry smile after the game. "We had \[nine\] turnovers, we missed two layups in the last 2 minutes, we missed easy three-point shots…"

Luckily for Penarroya and Baskonia, in this story there is a big 'but':

"But, we played bad in the fourth quarter and we won. That's good news for us."

### How did Baskonia secure the win?

There are two main reasons why Baskonia pulled out the victory. One is its third quarter, as it didn't allow a single field goal for more than 5 minutes, a span during which it put together a 0-13 run and pulled away to open a 49-64 lead.

"We played solid defense, we controlled ALBA's transition, which was the most important", Penarroya explained about the third quarter.

Then, there was the rebounding. Baskonia outrebounded the hosts 39-31 for the night, including 22-11 in the second half; 10 of Baskonia's 14 offensive rebounds came after halftime.

Tadas Sedekerskis led the way in that department, with a career-high of 13 total rebounds and 7 on the offensive end.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">👏👏 ¡Qué partido de nuestro capi ! 🔵🔴<br><br> 🏀 Doble-doble 🏀<br><br>▪️ 1 1 PT<br>▪️ 13 RT<br>▪️ 21 VAL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/uweGsZB8Sj">pic.twitter.com/uweGsZB8Sj</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1712563605475102989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Baskonia almost squandered a 16-point in this game after scoring only 2 points in the final 6 minutes of last week's season-opener, which it lost against Real Madrid by 2 points, 77-79. Sedekerskis blames Baskonia's fourth-quarter woes down to inexperience, but he believes that will change during the course of the season.

"I think we are a young team, a little bit inexperienced," Sedekerskis commented. "But we have a great coach. We are learning, we are improving every day and I think in the future we are going to be winning these \[type of\] games."

More Baskonia News

The Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz players celebrate after beating ALBA Berlin in Round 2 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz clung on to a win over ALBA Berlin, improving to a 1-1 record, but it still has aspects of its game that it needs to improve.

'Improving' Baskonia won despite 'terrible' fourth quarter

ALBA Berlin v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-10-12T18:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid dominated Anadolu Efes Istanbul 80-103 on Thursday night, with Guerschon Yabusele starring in the first quarter to put Los Blancos on the right track.

Guerschon Yabusele gave Real Madrid the hot start it needed at Efes

Big games call for big performances by big players, and Guerschon Yabusele certainly rose to the occasion as [Real Madrid beat Anadolu Efes Istanbul 80-103](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-anadolu-efes-vs-real-madrid/) in Round 2 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Yabusele came out of the gates absolutely on fire with a first quarter for the ages, as he helped set the tone for what proved to be a blowout win.

With the game tied 5-5 early, the French forward drained 3 three-pointers in a span of 76 seconds to help Real start to pull away. One week ago in Round 1, Yabusele had knocked down 4 three-pointers and scored 18 points as Los Blancos downed Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 77-79. And he really gave his side a strong push in the early going in Istanbul.

Guerschon Yabusele scored 16 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in the first quarter of Real Madrid's 80-103 win at Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Round 2 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Yabusele's dominant first quarter vs. Efes

### Yabusele did his damage early

Yabusele added a three-point play and 2 free throws as he scored 14 straight points for the reigning EuroLeague champion. The 27-year-old added 2 more free throws later in the quarter to move to 16 first-quarter points, while he also had 5 rebounds in the opening 10 minutes, giving him a PIR of 24.

“I was just trying to get the rhythm going and make my teammates feel great,” Yabusele said about his hot start to the game.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🏀 ¡Contundente victoria frente al <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a> para sumar la 2ª en la <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a>! 🏀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> <a href="https://t.co/eIYxo9zm4O">pic.twitter.com/eIYxo9zm4O</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1712549236682944840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The flow of Real's offense saw other players get hot, and Yabusele added 2 free throws at the end of the first half. And he would pick up 4 more points in the third quarter to finish with 22 points, 3 points off his career high.

Yabusele said his own production didn’t mean anything to him.

“I am not looking at my personal stats. I am just trying to win the game, that’s the most important thing,” he said.

Yabusele helped Real win the EuroLeague crown last season with a solid 9.7 points to go with 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists. The Frenchman has already shown after two games this season that he is ready to do more for the team, and that he is more than capable of doing that.

More Real Madrid News

Guerschon Yabusele of Real Madrid in possession of the ball during his team's Round 2 matchup against Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Frenchman helped Los Blancos get off to a dominant start in Istanbul.

Yabusele gave Real Madrid the hot start it needed at Efes

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Real Madrid (2023-10-12T17:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos B.C. recorded its first win of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season by defeating FC Bayern Munich 78-71 at OAKA in Round 2 on Thursday night.

Panathinaikos B.C. outlasts FC Bayern Munich, 78-71

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Jerian Grant of Panathinaikos Athens (left) looks to get away from Devin Booker of FC Bayern Munich (right) during the two teams' Round 2 matchup in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Greek side secured its first win of the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Panathinaikos outlasts Bayern, 78-71

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz notched its first win of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season after beating ALBA Berlin 86-91 on the road in Round 2.

Baskonia holds off ALBA Berlin in Berlin, 86-91

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Khalifa Diop of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in possession of the ball during his team's Round 2 matchup against ALBA Berlin in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Spanish visitors managed to hold off a late comback from the hosts.

Baskonia holds off ALBA in Berlin, 86-91

KK Partizan Belgrade secured its first win of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season by defeating LDLC ASVEL 62-88 on the road in Round 2.

KK Partizan blows away LDLC ASVEL, 62-88

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James Nunnally of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in action during his team's Round 2 matchup against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Serbian team was simply too good for its French counterpart.

Partizan blows away ASVEL, 62-88

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-10-12T18:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid defeated Anadolu Efes Istanbul 80-103 on the road in Round 2 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Real Madrid sweeps aside Anadolu Efes, 80-103

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Facu Campazzo of Real Madrid (right) seeks a teammate under pressure from Anadolu Efes Istanbul duo Shane Larkin and Tibor Pleiss.

Los Blancos were at their best in a dominant display in Istanbul.

Real Madrid sweeps aside Efes, 80-103

The second round of fixtures in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season begins tonight, with four live blogs available from each of the four games on offer.

Game Center: Panathinaikos is Thursday's sole home winner

Thursday's Live Blogs

### **Thursday, October 12**

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul 80-103 Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-anadolu-efes-vs-real-madrid/)

Real Madrid rose to the occasion against Anadolu Efes Istanbul in a showdown of recent champs, with the reigning titleholders blasting the hosts 80-103. Real lost a 17-point lead but built up a 23-point cushion and improved to 2-0. Those 103 points scored by Real matched *Los Blancos*' best road point total since 2015.

[ALBA Berlin 86-91 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-alba-berlin-vs-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz picked up its first win of the season by clinging on to an 86-91 win over ALBA Berlin on Thursday night in the German capital. Baskonia netted 12 triples and overcame 20 turnovers to improve to a 1-1 record, while ALBA dropped to 0-2.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡VAAAAMOSSSSSSS! 💪💪💪<br><br>✅ ¡TENEMOS LA PRIMERA EN <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a>! 🔥🔥🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/lZgW902P88">pic.twitter.com/lZgW902P88</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1712558326691795326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 62-88 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-ldlc-asvel-vs-kk-partizan-belgrade/)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade romped to an 62-88 win at ASVEL Villeurbanne in the second round of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season to bounce back from its opening 81-96 reverse at Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, reaping the rewards of effervescent team work,

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Pobeda crno-belih u Vilerbanu!✊🏽⚫️⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/OSDGZZSsTx">pic.twitter.com/OSDGZZSsTx</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1712556326591852926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Panathinaikos Athens 78-71 FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/live-blog-panathinaikos-bc-vs-fc-bayern-munich/)

Panathinaikos Athens grabbed its first win this season by beating FC Bayern Munich at home. The hosts improved to 1-1, but the visitors dropped 1-1, as this was their first defeat of the campaign following a win in the German derby against ALBA Berlin in Round 1.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final Score ☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBBasketball</a> 78-71 <a href="https://t.co/DNK2tzVHPy">pic.twitter.com/DNK2tzVHPy</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1712561525360341066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

EuroLeague Live Blogs: Four games to get Round 2 underway!

The second round of fixtures in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season begins tonight.

### Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos head coach

"There are no easy games. In all Euroleague games, you must be highly concentrate and give your all for 40 minutes. After four official away games, the time has come! We will play for the first time in our home court and we are really happy that we will have our fans by our side.  The game against Barcelona is highly demanding. We will miss Williams-Goss, Sikma, McKissic. And Fall is not 100% ready to play. Still, as always, we will give our best in order to get the win."

### Michalis Lountzis, Olympiacos player

"Barcelona is a very talented team. In my opinion, we must play tough defense from the start till the end of the game. We should not allow to our opponent to control the rhythm.  It's not pleasant that we will miss so many players, but that does not change our goal. We will fight hard for the win. I am sure that soon we will be all together and we will show what we can really do on the court as a team."

Game Videos

Game News

After starting the Roger Grimau coaching era with an impressive home win over Efes last week, now Barcelona (1-0) faces an even bigger task with a trip to last season's runner-up, Olympiacos (1-0). The Reds have high confidence after a morale-boosting overtime derby victory against Panathinaikos as Alec Peters became the hero with a double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds). Barca will look for new signing Willy Hernangomez and Jan Vesely to provide the same kind of inside dominance that allowed the Blaugrana to record an outstanding 76.2% from two-point range against Efes. The backcourt battle will also be key, with Reds creator and defensive ace Thomas Walkup going up against Barca duo Tomas Satoransky and Nico Laprovittola in the absence of his backup and Nigel Williams-Goss.

Pre-game quotes: Olympiacos vs. Barcelona

Olympiacos Piraeus v FC Barcelona (2023-10-13T18:15:00.000Z)