Between the competitive level and uniquely fiery fan support, EuroLeague games produce some of the most impassioned atmospherics to be found under one roof anywhere in the world. But in the altercation that ended Game 2 of the playoffs between Real Madrid and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on Thursday, emotions overflowed. That loss of control was an aberration. It must now be taken as an opportunity to reassert the values that have made the EuroLeague great.

 An aberration offers an opportunity 

A game of emotions. You hear it all the time. In fact, that is why so many people regard the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as the most intense elite basketball to be seen anywhere.

Between the competitive level and uniquely fiery fan support, EuroLeague games produce some of the most impassioned atmospherics to be found under one roof anywhere in the world.

But emotions – especially the most highly-charged ones – need to be kept under control, and in the altercation that ended Game 2 of the playoffs between Real Madrid and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on Thursday, they overflowed instead.

An unnecessary and unnecessarily hard foul by Real team captain Sergio Llull against Partizan star Kevin Punter, who confronted Llull, set loose a chain reaction of unchecked emotions among players for both teams.

When the smoke cleared, the referees declared the game over for a lack of players on either team whom they could not disqualify for either participating in the melee or leaving the bench area, which is a well-known prohibition in many sports, precisely to keep such situations from escalating.

Partizan won the game justly, 80-95, even without the last 1 minute 40 seconds being played, to take a 2-0 lead in the series. But the effect of the game's regrettable ending will linger far beyond the result.

A great display of playoff basketball will now be remembered for the wrong reasons, while players who almost always comported themselves as respectful professionals will have to rebuild their reputations.

A season that has been celebrated far and wide for greater competitiveness and fervor than most leagues ever see will be left with an asterisk due to a moment when the passions that marked it boiled over.

"Its mix of intense competition and respectful professionalism is precisely what has always been at the heart of the EuroLeague's mystique. What happened in Madrid was an aberration."


The remainder of the playoffs and the Final Four will still rise to the crescendo to a remarkable season, but at least two games will now be played without key protagonists, depriving the fans of seeing all the best players at the height of the season.

The lessons that might be learned from this begin and end with respect: for the sport, for the fans, and for the values of competition, which in the end is what draws us all – protagonists and spectators alike – to the arena.

There is a winner and a loser in every game. That is sports. If there is respect, a professional accepts when his team has been outplayed, regardless of the margin of his opponent's victory. The appropriate response is to simply to perform better at the next opportunity.

That mix of intense competition and respectful professionalism is precisely what has always been at the heart of the EuroLeague's mystique. What happened in Madrid was an occurrence so rare that, despite sometimes much harder fouls having been committed in the past, it is hard to recall any loss of control close to this one ever before in the EuroLeague.

Sports are so powerfully attractive to vast public in part because the tug of war between competitiveness and respect are played out under bright lights and in real time, for everyone to see. Elite athletes have the opportunity to show the rest of us that, even at its most intense, competition can be balanced by mutual respect.

By pushing performance limits, competition makes everyone better, and by respecting behavioral limits even when emotions reach a fever pitch, players can set an example for all of us on how to handle pressure. That, in essence, is the measure of sporting professionalism that EuroLeague teams and athletes have met with near-uniformity for 23 years.

Thursday's loss of control was an aberration. It must now be taken as an opportunity to reassert the values that have made the EuroLeague great.

An aberration offers an opportunity

**BIG CONGRATS!**: A week before the playoffs, Jordan Loyd and his wife Stephanie welcomed baby girl Savannah Jade to this world! Congratulations!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are truly blown away by all the well wishes &amp; support from every last one of you. Thank you all sooo much &amp; we couldn&#39;t be more grateful for our baby girl and the love she&#39;s already surrounded by. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you 💗💯🙏🏾</p>&mdash; Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd/status/1648827751829237767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**CUP WINNERS**: Three days before playoffs tipped off, Monaco won the French Cup for the first time in cub history. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s a celebration! 🎊 🎉 🏆 🇲🇨🔥🥳!!! <a href="https://t.co/jyNXmusgDu">https://t.co/jyNXmusgDu</a></p>&mdash; Elie Okobo (@ElieOkobo_0) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElieOkobo_0/status/1649847517540933636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Champion 🏆🥇 <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMBasket_EN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMBasket_EN</a> <a href="https://t.co/bpglF6BrJu">pic.twitter.com/bpglF6BrJu</a></p>&mdash; Jaron Blossomgame (@JaronBgame) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaronBgame/status/1649833746676301828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**NOT A MONTAGE**: In practice ahead of the playoffs, Alex Abrines made this shot.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Los haters dirán que es fake 😜 <a href="https://t.co/HcI8oavjk4">pic.twitter.com/HcI8oavjk4</a></p>&mdash; Alex Abrines (@alexabrines) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexabrines/status/1650930977567285253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**PAST PLAYOFF MOMENTS**: The EuroLeague Playoffs have long been producing memorable moments and performances. Just ask Bogdan Bogdanovic.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It feels like yesterday 😁🤷♂️ always in my heart 💙💛 <a href="https://t.co/MhD0gSfTyj">https://t.co/MhD0gSfTyj</a></p>&mdash; Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeaderOfHorde/status/1648325134883729411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**PLAYOFF HYPE**: Kyle Kuric could not wait for the playoffs to start.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RT if you’re hyped about the EuroLeague playoffs! 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/C11L4Z6Ete">pic.twitter.com/C11L4Z6Ete</a></p>&mdash; Kyle Kuric (@KingKK_14) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingKK_14/status/1650904329857953793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**HUGS BEFORE THE STORM**: There are many connections between Barcelona and Zalgiris, and those two teams enjoyed seeing each other again before Game 1.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ready for war, yet we still get to say &#39;hello&#39;. 😁 <a href="https://t.co/LAjQdjf5K4">pic.twitter.com/LAjQdjf5K4</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1651201275747356673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**ROAD SUPPORT**: Maccabi fans gave their team a big boost this week in Monaco, not just at the games, but even before the practices.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">זאת קבלת הפנים שחיכתה לשחקנים ביציאה לאימון הערב במונאקו 💛💙<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D7%99%D7%97%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%9A?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#יחדכלהדרך</a> <a href="https://t.co/S27DgZDyts">pic.twitter.com/S27DgZDyts</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1651246243853524992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Gate 💙💛 <a href="https://t.co/hMQnjCceDP">pic.twitter.com/hMQnjCceDP</a></p>&mdash; Jalen Adams (@ja4hunnid) <a href="https://twitter.com/ja4hunnid/status/1650962471824289798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**ANOTHER ANGLE**: Partizan stole Game 1 from Real Madrid with a shot from Kevin Punter with 0.4 seconds left. Here's a viewing angle you might not have seen, and the on-court celebrations after the win.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">BRAVO CRNO - BELI!✊🏽⚫️⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> playoffs | 0 - 1 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://t.co/PqQmI6mNfc">pic.twitter.com/PqQmI6mNfc</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1650988811843776513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**WINNERS' CIRCLE**: Apart from Partizan holding a 2-0 lead, Barcelona also won twice, and its players climbed up into the stands of Palau Blaugrana to celebrate with their fans.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/YG8F5yFEof">pic.twitter.com/YG8F5yFEof</a></p>&mdash; Alex Poythress (@AlexTheGreat22) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexTheGreat22/status/1650978774521921538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We will always fight for the W, ALWAYS! 😤 Fans au 🔝, <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mrjloyd</a> on 🔥 , grosse prestation de la team 👏, Daghe <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a>! 🔴⚪️ <a href="https://t.co/OAysrU3IPx">pic.twitter.com/OAysrU3IPx</a></p>&mdash; Elie Okobo (@ElieOkobo_0) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElieOkobo_0/status/1651687460093456416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Daghe Munegu ‼️ 🇲🇨 Huge team W! Thank you to all the fans who came out tonight &amp; showed love ❤️ We Appreciate you. On to the next 🫡 <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a></p>&mdash; Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd/status/1651696367222308865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">💛💙 <a href="https://t.co/UvP4WxQAqG">https://t.co/UvP4WxQAqG</a></p>&mdash; Melih Mahmutoğlu (@melihmahmutoglu) <a href="https://twitter.com/melihmahmutoglu/status/1652059955594231808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fight for dreams! ❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/For%C3%A7aBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForçaBarça</a> <a href="https://t.co/h2hJnMhgIY">pic.twitter.com/h2hJnMhgIY</a></p>&mdash; Sertac Sanli (@SanliSertac) <a href="https://twitter.com/SanliSertac/status/1651323004406693888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My team. My Palau. 💙❤️ <a href="https://t.co/CROuFJculR">pic.twitter.com/CROuFJculR</a></p>&mdash; Alex Abrines (@alexabrines) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexabrines/status/1652070968460705792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrnNIjwIvAU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrnNIjwIvAU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrnNIjwIvAU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Barça Basket (@fcbbasket)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CroCUf6oqi9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CroCUf6oqi9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CroCUf6oqi9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Barça Basket (@fcbbasket)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

EuroLeague playoffs in social media

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul came into Game 2 against Olympiacos Piraeus on a six-game road losing streak and found itself down 26-10 early in the second quarter, yet that didn't stop the visitors from battling, rallying and finally edging the Reds 78-82 to tie their best-of-five series at 1-1.

Fenerbahce found depth and fight to outplay Olympiacos

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul came into Game 2 against Olympiacos Piraeus on a six-game road losing streak and found itself down 26-10 early in the second quarter, yet that didn't stop the visitors from battling, rallying and finally edging the Reds 78-82 to tie their best-of-five series at 1-1.

"They are gonna give us the punches, and we got to take them and respond in a positive way," Fenerbahce center Johnathan Motley said after the game. "I think we did a good job of staying level-headed and getting what we wanted tonight."

Fenerbahce, depleted and missing the likes of Scottie Wilbekin, Nemanja Bjelica and Devin Booker, still found enough players to carry the baton as the game went on.

After the Turkish side scored just 10 points in the first 11 minutes of Game 2, Carsen Edwards and Motley both came off the bench to provide a much-needed spark on offense.

"It was big that Carsen came in and gave us huge minutes," head coach Dimitris Itoudis said after the win.

Carsen Edwards was a force off the bench in Game 2

Edwards scored 11 points in the second quarter and Motley added 7, meaning that those two players alone managed to outscore the entire Olympiacos team in that quarter, closing the gap to just 37-34 at halftime. Edwards scored 5 more in the third, before needing to go to the bench with 4 personal fouls. That's when the others took over.

Calathes helped keep Fenerbahce on the right track and Tyler Dorsey found ways to get to the free-throw line, before Nigel Hayes-Davis took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 15 points in the final 8 minutes of the game.

"I started off slow," Hayes-Davis admitted. "I wasn't getting a lot of touches, but I told myself at halftime: 'When the ball comes, shoot the ball.' I missed a couple early and stayed with it. The guys trusted me."

His first triple made it 56-59, his second closed the gap to 67-66, and his third got the visitors within 73-71 at a time when it appeared as though Olympiacos was about to pull away.

Game Videos

In the meantime, Marko Guduric managed to facilitate for others and Motley kept making plays inside.

Add Dyshawn Pierre into the mix and there were big contributions from just about everyone Fenerbahce needed contributions from, given its injury problems. What's more, it showed the depth available to Coach Itoudis – something that can only benefit Friday night's visitors as the series goes on.

Control of the boards also helped Fenerbahce stay in the game the entire night. On the offensive end, in particular, as it grabbed 15 offensive boards to just 5 by Olympiacos.

"We were amazing on the boards," Itoudis commented. " We showed that we are not here accidentally. We are here because we want to fight, we are here because are a good team."

Following its win in Game 2, Fenerbahce now heads back to Istanbul knowing that it needs two wins on its home floor to reach the Final Four. If Friday night at Peace and Friendship Stadium is anything to go by, there's every chance we may end up seeing the No. 8 seed knock off the No. 1 seed for the first time in EuroLeague playoff history.

Game News

Olympiacos Piraeus v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-04-28T18:30:00.000Z)

Achille Polonara of Zalgiris shoots over Barcelona's Sertac Sanli

Kostas Sloukas of Olympiacos drives past Fenerbahce's Nigel Hayes-Davis

Mathias Lessort of Partizan emotes after scoring against Real Madrid

Ignas Brazdeikis of Zalgiris looks to keep the ball away from Barcelona's Alex Abrines

Alpha Diallo of Monaco dunks against Maccabi

Alen Smailagic of Partizan dunks over Real Madrid's Vincent Poirier

Jan Vesely of Barcelona battles for a rebound against Zalgiris

Thomas Walkup of Olympiacos dribbles past Fenerbahce's Carsen Edwards

Josh Nebo of Maccabi rises high to dunk against Monaco 

Nigel Williams-Goss of Real Madrid shoots in front of Partizan's Yam Madar

Look back at all the action from Game 1-2 of the playoffs by checking out the best photos of the week!

 The Top 10 photos of the week, Playoffs Game 1-2

Anadolu Efes Istanbul center, the two-time champion Bryant Dunston, is recovering from a car accident. Efes announced on social media that Dunston was in an accident, and is in "good general health, but has been under observation. Efes GM Alper Yilmaz tweeted a photo of the 36-year old center giving thumbs up.

Get-well wishes quickly started pouring in, from Dunston's teammates like Dogus Balbay, to most of EuroLeague clubs. We also wish Bryant nothing but full recovery and a speedy return to the basketball floor.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Çok şükür Bryant’ın sağlık durumu gayet iyi 🙏🏼 Geçmiş olsun kaptan 🧿 <a href="https://t.co/xGEcnoCm6G">https://t.co/xGEcnoCm6G</a></p>&mdash; Dogus Balbay (@Dogusbalbay) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dogusbalbay/status/1652289758620524546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Efes's Dunston in 'good general health' after car accident

FC Barcelona had to battle hard to beat Zalgiris Kaunas 89-81 on Friday night in Game 2 of their best-of-five playoff series. Jan Vesely led Barca to a big win, breaking a EuroLeague all-time record in the process. 

Jan Vesely is the EuroLeague's new two-point king

FC Barcelona had to battle hard to beat Zalgiris Kaunas 89-81 on Friday night in Game 2 of their best-of-five playoff series. Jan Vesely led Barca to a big win, breaking a EuroLeague all-time record in the process.

With his 10 two-pointers made against Zalgiris, Vesely climbed to first place in that statistical category. He now leads the all-time standings with 1,293 two-point shots made, sending Kyle Hines to the second spot (1,289). No other active player has reached the 1,000-point mark based solely on two-pointers scored.

Vesely played 12 minutes in the first half of Game 2, scoring 18 points on 6-of-7 two-point shots. He had a couple of dunks, helping Barca overcome a slow start to get a 1-point lead, 45-44, at halftime.

After a quiet third quarter, Vesely found his rhythm again, scoring 3 more times inside the arc. His final basket gave Barca an 87-81 margin in the penultimate minute of the game, allowing fans at Palau Blaugrana to start celebrating an important win.

Vesely finished the night with 26 points, a new personal high in the playoffs. His previous postseason scoring record was the 23 points he netted for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in an 80-72 win against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Game 1 of the 2015 playoffs. On Friday, Vesely hit 10-of-13 two-pointers and 6-of-6 free throws, adding 6 rebounds, a block and 6 fouls drawn for a PIR of 33. His previous best mark for PIR in a playoff game was 25 in that 2015 game against Maccabi.

Jan Vesely of FC Barcelona hit 10 two-pointers in Game 2 of the playoffs against Zalgiris Kaunas. He now leads the all-time standings with 1,293 two-point shots made!

Jan Vesely: the EuroLeague's new two-point king!

Vesely tied a club record for the highest PIR in a playoff game, with Brandon Davies having also achieved a PIR of 33 in Game 2 of the 2021 playoffs against Zenit St Petersburg. That day, Barca beat Zenit 81-78 in overtime.

"We knew that they would be much more aggressive than \[in Game 1\] on Wednesday. We tried to match it and I think we did a pretty good job, but not enough during the game. But, in the end, we broke them," Vesely said after the game. "We stayed mentally in the game and that was the key. We suffered a lot; they were very aggressive, like I said."

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a time to hit some season highs 💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/JanVesely24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JanVesely24</a> at his brilliant best tonight! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/krbOQlrECO">pic.twitter.com/krbOQlrECO</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1652067363049594883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Nicolas Laprovittola also set a club record for most assists in a playoff fixture, dishing 11 in Game 2. Tomas Satoransky and Marcelinho Huertas each dished 10 assists in a playoff game in 2016 and 2012, respectively.

It was a near-perfect night for Barca fans at Palau Blaugrana – a hard-fought game, some records tied and broken, and their team is just one win away from returning to the Final Four!

FC Barcelona v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-04-28T18:00:00.000Z)

This rounds' MVP, [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) of AS Monaco scored 33 points, the most in Game 2. Olympiacos Piraeus star [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) remains the season scoring leader with 17.7 points per game.

Three players recorded 9 rebounds in their teams' second game of the playoffs: [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) of Olympiacos, [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and [Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/donta-hall/011196/) of Monaco. Lessort also tops the charts for rebounds this season, bringing in 7.2 per contest.

[Nicolas Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) set a new FC Barcelona playoff record with 11 assists in his side's second game of the series. Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz playmaker [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) leads the league with 6.7 dimes per night.

There were three players – [Roman Sorkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/roman-sorkin/011219/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Fall and Hall – who each blocked 2 shots in Game 2. Real Madrid man mountain Walter Tavares averages a league-best 2.2 blocks per contest.

In Game 2, eight players had 2 steals each: Loyd, Vezenkov, [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) of Barca, [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/) of Monaco, [Lukas Lekavicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lukas-lekavicius/003210/) of Zalgiris Kaunas, [John DiBartolomeo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/john-dibartolomeo/007990/) of Maccabi and Partizan duo [Aleksa Avramovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/) and [James Nunnally](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/james-nunnally/007400/). Olympiacos guard [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) averages 1.9 steals per night.

No players recorded a double-double in Game 2.

Game 2 Individual highs: Nicolas Laprovittola, Barcelona, 11 assists

Playoffs Game 2 MVP: Jordan Loyd, AS Monaco

[Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-loyd/009754/) played an integral role as AS Monaco defeated Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 86-74 in Game 2 of the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, finishing with a career-best 36 PIR and securing the MVP of the Round accolade. En route to his PIR of 36, Loyd scored a career-high 33 points after going 5-of-5 from two-point range, 5-of-9 on three-pointers and 8-for-9 on free throws. He also grabbed 2 rebounds, dished 2 assists, recorded 2 steals and had 0 turnovers in just under 27 minutes on the floor. Loyd, who has earned MVP of the Round honors for the second time in his career, shined bright as Monaco levelled the series at 1-1 ahead of Games 3 and 4 in Tel Aviv.

The second-highest PIR in Game 2 belongs to FC Barcelona center [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/), who had a PIR of 33. The 2019 EuroLeague MVP scored 26 points, shooting 10-of-13 on two-pointers and 6-for-6 on free throws, as Barca beat Zalgiris Kaunas 89-81 to improve to 2-0 in the series. Vesely had 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block, too. [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) of Olympiacos Piraeus recorded a 27 PIR, the third-best mark in Game 2, in his side's 78-82 defeat at home to Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. The forward scored 18 points, making 2-of-3 two-pointers, 1-of-4 threes and all 11 of his free throws, while he also pulled down 7 rebounds, made 1 assist and had 2 steals. The player with the fourth-best PIR in Game 2 is [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) of Barcelona, as he amassed 22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in his team's win over Zalgiris. Rounding out the list of top performers in Game 2 are two players who had a 21 PIR: [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) of Fenerbahce and [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/) of Olympiacos. The former finished with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 0 turnovers as Fenerbahce beat Olympiacos to level the series at 1-1, while the latter recorded 7 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks.

Jordan Loyd played an integral role as AS Monaco defeated Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 86-74 in Game 2 of the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, finishing with a career-best 36 PIR and securing the MVP of the Round accolade.

Jordan Loyd | Playoffs Game 2 MVP | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge: Playoffs Game 2 winner!

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 36th winner in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, powered by Ardu Prime! Pablo Gonzalez beat everyone else in Playoffs Game 2 as his team Pablo 6 had a whopping Fantasy Challenge score of 222.7.

 

Pablo used the following lineup: Jordan Loyd (team captain) of AS Monaco, Dante Exum of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Lorenzo Brown of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos Piraeus and Jan Vesely of FC Barcelona all as starters. James Nunnally of Partizan was his sixth man.

 

The bench featured Petr Cornelie and Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid, Isaiah Canaan of Olympiacos, and Karolis Lukosiunas of Zalgiris Kaunas. His coach was Sasa Obradovic of Monaco.

 

The prize for finishing first in Round 35 is a free subscription to EuroLeague TV for the 2023-24 season!

 

Christos Anatolitis stays atop the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge overall standings. Christos leads everyone else with a score of 6,277.45 fantasy points.

 

Trades are now open for Game 3 of the playoffs. Remember, unlimited trading is allowed before each round until the end of the season, throughout the playoffs and the Final Four!

 

The first game in this round is Maccabi vs. Monaco, scheduled on Tuesday, May 2 at 20:05 CET, making that the next round's deadline for trades.

 

Try to improve your teams and challenge for more prizes at the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, powered by Ardu Prime!