Name: Virtus Segafredo Bologna-Paris Basketball | RS Round 26 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Olympiacos BC outlasted FC Barcelona in a back-and-forth battle at Palau Blaugrana, as Evan Fournier’s game-winner on the final buzzer gave the Reds an 88-90 victory. 

Olympiacos overcomes Barcelona in last-second thriller, 88-90

Olympiacos Piraeus outlasted FC Barcelona in a back-and-forth battle at Palau Blaugrana, as Evan Fournier’s game-winner on the final buzzer gave the Reds an 88-90 victory. Olympiacos retains top spot in the standings with a 19-7 record heading into the break, with Barca dropping to 14-12.

The first half featured 12 lead changes and ended with Barca leading 47-45. Olympiacos controlled the majority of the second half but Barca hung in there until Fournier delivered the killer blow with the final act of the game. 

Sasha Vezenkov led the scoring with 24 points, with Nigel Williams-Goss adding 20, Fournier netting 18 and Shaq McKissic scoring 11. Kevin Punter paced Barca with 20 points, Chimizie Metu added 16 while Jabari Parker and Dario Brizuela had 16 apiece.

Game Videos

Vezenkov’s layup opened the scoring, but was soon answered by a dunk from Youssoupha Fall. Evan Fournier and Joel Parra traded triples as it stayed close, 7-7. Punter’s jumper gave Barca its first lead, and Youssoupha Fall netted again before Vezenkov stayed hot with a triple. Williams-Goss and Parker traded inside scores, then Vezenkov appeared again as the Reds went back ahead, 13-16. Parker and Punter forced another lead change, but that changed through Williams-Goss, Moustapha Fall and Giannoulis Larentzakis, finishing the first quarter 18-22.

Williams-Goss struck a three to open the second, before Metu’s jumper and Brizuela’s triple reignited Barca. Vezenkov and Brizuela kept the threes falling, making it 26-28. Metu scored consecutive baskets to send Barca ahead, but only until McKissic’s three-point play. Fournier and Tomas Satoransky traded mid-range jumpers, and the scoring was evenly shared until Justin Anderson’s triple gave Barca the lead. Alec Peters hit back, but Metu stayed hot with a long two, and Barca led 47-45 at the break.

Game News

Anderson hit another three-ball to start the second half, and Parker added another. Williams-Goss restarted the Reds with a transition layup, but Punter’s triple made it 56-47. Vezenkov hit back with three consecutive scores in a 0-7 personal run, and Fournier sent his team ahead with another deep strike, 56-57. Anderson’s triple snapped the 0-11 run for another lead change, but Fournier scored 5 in a row to put the Reds on top. Brizuela and Williams-Goss scored inside, and it was 65-66 with 10 minutes left.

Metu’s layup was bettered by Williams-Goss from deep at the start of the fourth, and McKissic and Williams-Goss kept the Reds rolling for a 67-74 lead. Brizuela’s three-ball rescued Barca, but Williams-Goss hit another floater to make it 70-78. Satoransky’s mid-range strike sparked a 5-0 run as the hosts rallied, but Williams-Goss again scored at the rim and free throws stretched the lead to 75-82. Punter scored 4 points straight, and Brizuela’s corner three made it 82-84 with two minutes left. Vezenkov saved a broken play with a layup, but Punter’s 4 free throws tied it, 88-88, with 18 seconds left. Olympiacos had one possession to win it, and Fournier took until the last second before driving for a dramatic layup off the glass.

Two title contenders served up an instant classic at Palau Blaugrana

FC Barcelona v Olympiacos Piraeus (2025-02-07T19:30:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna-Paris Basketball | RS Round 26 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Paris Basketball (2025-02-07T19:30:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball rallied back in the fourth quarter to defeat Virtus Segafredo Bologna 77-83 on Friday night. 

Paris fights back to beat Virtus, 77-83

Paris Basketball rallied back in the fourth quarter to defeat Virtus Segafredo Bologna 77-83 on Friday night. The hosts were leading for most of the game, but Paris mounted a fourth-quarter comeback inspired by guard duo TJ Shorts and Nadir Hifi to grab a road victory. The visitors got back to winning ways, improving their record to 15-10. Virtus recorded its fourth straight loss and dropped to 7-19.

Hifi led all scorers with 23 points, Shorts netted 16 and Mikael Jantunen added 13. Toko Shengelia paced Virtus with 17 points, Isaia Cordinier netted 15 and Rayjon Tucker scored a season-high 14 points in a losing effort.

Collin Malcolm got Paris going with 5 straight points before layups by Shorts and Jantunen gave the visitors an early 2-9 lead. But Virtus went on a 7-0 run, with Achille Polonara tying the game up from beyond the arc. Six points from Shengelia and one bucket from Cordinier saw Virtus grab its first lead of the game, 17-12. Then, back-to-back baskets from Momo Diouf were followed by inside scores from Matt Morgan and Shengelia, who opened a 25-17 lead after 10 minutes.

Mikael Jantunen opened the second quarter with a corner triple, but two straight layups from Shorts trimmed the deficit to 27-24. A put-back slam from Shengelia was followed by a Marco Belinelli triple that restored a 38-29 lead. Then, Justin Holiday netted from deep for his first-ever EuroLeague points before Belinelli's three off the glass gave Virtus a 46-35 cushion at halftime.

Andrejs Grazulis replied to triples from Ward and Jantunen with one of his own before a mid-range jumper by Shengelia made it 55-41. Yet, Paris answered with a 0-9 surge fueled by Hifi and Maodo Lo. Tucker ended the run with a triple, but Bandja Sy replied with a follow-up slam that cut the difference to 58-54. Tucker netted 5 straight points on the other end, before a buzzer-beating bucket by Jantunen brought Paris within 64-58 heading into the closing quarter.

Tucker opened the fourth with two off-balance triples that stretched Virtus’s lead to 72-60. But Paris responded with a 0-13 run, as triples from Sy and Hifi were followed by a layup from the latter for a 72-73 edge. Grazulis and Shorts traded scores inside before a floater from the Paris guard gave his team a 74-77 lead. Cordinier answered with a hard-fought bucket, but Sy slammed it home after a Shorts dish before Hifi finished it off from the line.

TJ Shorts and Nadir Hifi fueled a fourth-quarter comeback for the visitors

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz recorded its third straight win at Buesa Arena after beating Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 89-82 in Round 26, with this victory boosting Pablo Laso's men to an 11-15 record and seeing Oded Kattash's squad fall to 6-20. 

Baskonia downs Maccabi, 89-82, to secure third straight home win

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz recorded its third straight win at Buesa Arena after beating Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 89-82 in Round 26, with this victory boosting Pablo Laso's men to an 11-15 record and seeing Oded Kattash's squad fall to 6-20. The hosts retook the lead with 7 minutes remaining in the second quarter and never trailed again.

Scoring-wise, Baskonia was led by the trio of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Chima Moneke and Markus Howard. Luwawu-Cabarrot scored 20 points, Moneke added 18, and Howard finished with 17. Donta Hall also had 5 points and 9 rebounds, while Trent Forrest posted 7 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Six Maccabi players ended up scoring in double figures, led by Roman Sorkin with 16 and followed by Levi Randolph (13 points), Trevion Williams (12), Tamir Blatt (11), and Marial Shayok (10) and David DeJulius (10).

Trevion Williams showed his playmaking skills with two great dimes for Levi Randolph and Marial Shayok as Maccabi went 3-5 ahead. Moneke’s triple restored Baskonia’s lead at 6-5, but that would soon change. Williams and Randolph were instrumental in helping Maccabi remain in front, leading 12-16, but a couple of scores by Moneke tied things up at 16-16. Moneke tied it again at 18-18, but Jasiel Rivero had a key score inside and a block as Maccabi led 22-23 after 10 minutes.

Jake Cohen started the second quarter with a triple, but Howard soon took over by draining three quick release triples as Baskonia went 34-29 ahead. The hosts didn’t look back, as Nikos Rogkavopoulos and Donta Hall came to the fore to help extend the advantage to 44-34. Williams and Randolph tried striking back for Maccabi, but a Moneke three calmed things down at 47-38. A put-back layup by Moneke and a mid-range jumper by Luwawu-Cabarrot set a 51-42 score at halftime.

Baskonia was able to keep Maccabi at arm’s reach for most of the third quarter, with Luwawu-Cabarrot, Luka Samanic and Trent Forrest combining to give the hosts a 63-50 edge. Blatt tried his best to keep Maccabi alive, cutting the gap to 10 points at 67-57 by moving to 8 points in the quarter, but Howard’s three-pointer from almost half court felt like a dagger at 70-57. Another Howard triple, this time from the corner, ensured it was 73-59 after 30 minutes.

Tadas Sedekerskis pushed Baskonia’s lead to 16 points, 75-59, with the opening score of the fourth period, but Sorkin then started to take over. He scored 7 points in a hurry to make things interesting at 78-70, then Shayok responded to a miracle shot by Hall by draining a three to make it a seven-point ballgame, 80-73. When Williams scored inside to set an 85-79 score with 2:48 minutes left, Maccabi was as close as it had been in a long time, but Howard got the shooter’s roll on a turnaround jumper and Luwawu-Cabarrot scored a layup to restore a 10-point difference, 89-79, before Baskonia eventually won 89-82.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Chima Moneke and Markus Howard combined for 55 points on the night

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2025-02-07T19:30:00.000Z)

The Round 26 action continues this Friday night, with four games on tap.

Game Center: Round 26

## Friday, February 7

### [AS Monaco 69-86 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/as-monaco-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2024/231/)

Partizan steamrolled to an impressive 69-86 win at Monaco and improved to 14-12, staying firmly in the postseason picture after enjoying a flawless double-round week. Monaco slipped to 16-10. Six Partizan players finished in double digits, paced by Sterling Brown who netted 16 of his 18 points in the first half. Tyrique Jones racked up 17 points and 7 boards and fellow big man Brandon Davies chipped in with and 5 rebounds. With pack leader Carlik Jones struggling, Iffe Lundberg and Duane Washington steep up to the plate in the back court with 11 points each while forward Isaac Bonga added 10 points for a rock-solid Partizan outfit. Monaco playmaker Nick Calathes led the home team on 14 points and Mike James added 13, while Alpha Diallo scored 12 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">2/2✅<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://t.co/GZxKNApKjI">pic.twitter.com/GZxKNApKjI</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1887955082097860624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Virtus Segafredo Bologna 77-83 Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/virtus-segafredo-bologna-paris-basketball/E2024/234/)

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">C’EST LA WINNNNNNNNNNNNN</p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1887975432915497106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [FC Barcelona 88-90 Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fc-barcelona-olympiacos-piraeus/E2024/233/)

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Final score 🏀 FC Barcelona - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> 88-90 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAROLY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAROLY</a> <a href="https://t.co/QLOhM5IGxf">pic.twitter.com/QLOhM5IGxf</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1887975636901208192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 89-82 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2024/232/)

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="eu" dir="ltr">GAUR BAAAAI‼️ 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥<br><br>1⃣1⃣. GARAIPENA <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a>-N <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/aGfzwJSXDL">pic.twitter.com/aGfzwJSXDL</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1887972639571853813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

## Thursday, February 6

### [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 78-67 Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-real-madrid/E2024/226/)

Fenerbahce outclassed Real Madrid to strengthen its top four position and condemn the Spanish side to three straight losses. Fenerbahce heads into the February break at 17-8, while Real drops to 13-13. The first 18 minutes were closely contested before a 12-0 run gave Fenerbahce a 40-28 halftime lead. Real tried to respond after the break but long-range shooting ensured the home team stayed comfortable. Nigel Hayes-Davis top scored with 20 points and Errick McCollum netted 19. Facu Campazzo led Real with 11 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">MAÇ BİZİM! 💪<br><br>Tebrikler Fenerbahçe Beko! 👏<br><br>Maç Sonucu | Fenerbahçe Beko 🆚 Real Madrid: 78-67<br><br>Skor dağılımımız: Hayes-Davis 20, McCollum 19, Guduric 10, Biberovic 7, Hall 6, Zagars 5, Pierre 4, Colson 4 Melli 3. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/zov1uoTqsY">pic.twitter.com/zov1uoTqsY</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1887583691935031648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Zalgiris Kaunas 87-89 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/zalgiris-kaunas-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2024/228/)

Milan got back to winning ways by edging Zalgiris. The visitors led for most of the duel, but Zalgiris turned the game around and took a 73-71 lead midway through the fourth quarter. That was when Zach LeDay stepped up big time to clinch a victory that improved Milan’s record to 14-12. Zalgiris claimed the head-to-head advantage due to its 82-85 comeback win in Italy, but dropped to 12-14 on the season. LeDay paced Milan with 26 points and Nico Mannion netted a career-high 21 points. For Zalgiris, Sylvain Francisco registered a game-high 29 points and Lonnie Walker scored 22.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Winning night in Kaunas 🤍❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/fWFseudrun">pic.twitter.com/fWFseudrun</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1887596078603903233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [ALBA Berlin 71-77 Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/alba-berlin-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2024/227/#info)

Crvena Zvezda held off ALBA Berlin at Uber Arena in the German capital to remain at least tied for fourth place as the sides enter the February break. The result lifted Zvezda's record to 16-10, while last-placed ALBA fell to 4-22. Filip Petrusev bounced back from a 3-point performance earlier in the week to lead Zvezda with 17 points, while Isaiah Canaan added 11 for the winners. David McCormack was on his way to a monster night with 18 points and 11 rebounds in 19 minutes for ALBA before fouling out  in the third quarter. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A HARD FOUGHT VICTORY IN BERLIN 😤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/sportmts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sportmts</a> <a href="https://t.co/fS68mDKPIK">pic.twitter.com/fS68mDKPIK</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1887591477611549057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 104-89 Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2024/229/)

Panathinaikos completed a perfect double-round week with a home win over Efes. Top scorer Kendrick Nunn overcame a recent shooting slump with a majestic performance as he paced Panathinaikos on a game-high 36 points, scoring 30 in the second half as he annihilated Efes from all over. Cedi Osman capped his best performance of the season with 20 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter. At the other end, Darius Thompson led Efes with 14 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAOFans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAOFans</a> fill the blank as loud as it gets: <br><br>KENDRICK __________ 💪🏾💚 <a href="https://t.co/rEceQ4gjnc">pic.twitter.com/rEceQ4gjnc</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1887617481638093002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [FC Bayern Munich 76-67 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fc-bayern-munich-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2024/230/)

Bayern finished a perfect double-round week by downing ASVEL at SAP Garden. Bayern improved to 16-10 in the standings, is on a four-game winning streak and 11-2 in front of its fans this season. ASVEL dropped to 11-15 after losing its last three games. Andreas Obst led the winners with 15 points, Carsen Edwards added 14 and Vladimir Lucic had 10 points and 8 rebounds for Bayern. Paris Lee led ASVEL with 14 points. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">YES! ANOTHER WIN <a href="https://twitter.com/SAPGarden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SAPGarden</a>! 💪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASVBAY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASVBAY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/pqMhQGWS4V">pic.twitter.com/pqMhQGWS4V</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1887615228432818286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There were three road winners on Thursday night

Game Center: Fournier stuns Barça; Partizan, Baskonia, Paris all win

AS Monaco v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2025-02-07T18:00:00.000Z)

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

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

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

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

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

Evan Fournier’s mic-drop moment as he scoops the game-winner on the final buzzer!

Fournier wins it on the buzzer! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night

 Evan Fournier’s mic-drop moment as he scoops the game-winner on the final buzzer!

KK Partizan center Tyrique Jones spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat AS Monaco in Round 26 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Tyrique Jones: 'The black-and-white always travel'

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade center Tyrique Jones spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat AS Monaco in Round 26 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

AS Monaco-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | RS Round 26 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Metu’s magic rejection! Motorola Magic Moment

KK Partizan steamrolled to an impressive 69-86 win at AS Monaco and improved to 14-12 in the EuroLeague, staying firmly in the postseason picture after enjoying a flawless double-round week.

Partizan beats Monaco, 69-86, to complete perfect week

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade steamrolled to an impressive 69-86 win at AS Monaco and improved to 14-12 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, staying firmly in the postseason picture after enjoying a flawless double-round week.

The victory in the principality came after Wednesday’s 71-81 success at Virtus Segafredo Bologna, as coach Zeljko Obradovic’s men rolled on with a fourth successive road win and their fifth in the last six games overall, boosting their hopes of an automatic playoff berth.

Monaco, which slipped to 16-10, is in danger of dropping out of the top four after a lackluster performance in a cracking atmosphere, with the visiting Partizan fans making the 1992 EuroLeague champion feel at home through their relentlessly vocal support.

Six Partizan players finished in double digits, paced by Sterling Brown who netted 16 of his 18 points in the first half as Partizan took the lead for good early in the second quarter, 22-33, with a 0-12 run. Tyrique Jones racked up 17 points and 7 boards and fellow big man Brandon Davies chipped in with 15 points and 5 rebounds.

With pack leader Carlik Jones struggling, Iffe Lundberg and Duane Washington stepped up to the plate in the backcourt with 11 points each while forward Isaac Bonga added 10 points for a rock-solid Partizan outfit.

Veteran playmaker Nick Calathes led the home team on 14 points and Mike James added 13 but endured a torrid night as he shot 0 of 7 from inside and 3 of 6 from deep, having been stifled out by Partizan’s aggressive defense. Alpha Diallo scored 12 points for Monaco, which was 8 of 28 from downtown and got restricted to 2 offensive boards in the second half.     

Brown, who was also instrumental in the win at Virtus, carried on where he left off as he poured 9 points in the first quarter and another 7 in the second, with Partizan grinding out a 40-48 halftime lead despite allowing Monaco 20 rebounds, 9 of which were on the offensive end.

Partizan was a clinical 5 of 9 from three-point range in the first half and with Brown subdued after the break, Davies stepped up in the third quarter when he nailed 9 points to keep a consistent Partizan in the driving seat, 55-62, ahead of the last 10 minutes.

Monaco’s last roar came early in the fourth as the hosts slashed the deficit to 61-64, before a 0-9 run by the visitors effectively forced the hosts into submission. Tyrique Jones and Washington ran the show in the closing stages as they picked Monaco apart and gave joyous Partizan fans plenty to cheer about ahead of the February break in Europe’s premier club competition.  

The Serbian team produced a ruthless display en route to an emphatic victory

Shengelia with the follow-up slam! Motorola Magic Moment

 Tyrique Jones bends the iron! Motorola Magic Moment 

Rivero rejects Sedekerskis! Motorola Magic Moment

Hall blocks Rivero with force! Motorola Magic Moment

18 Zalgiris Kaunas is now 2-0 at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Ulm after beating U18 Dubai Basketball 100-68. 

Zalgiris stays perfect with 100-68 win over Dubai

18 Zalgiris Kaunas is now 2-0 at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Ulm after beating U18 Dubai Basketball 100-68. This win came hours after the Lithuanian team's 70-84 triumph against U18 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, while Dubai is now 0-2 having lost 71-94 to U18 ratiopharm Ulm in its opener.

The scoring load was shared among multiple Zalgiris players, with Majus Bulanovas scoring a team-high 18 points. Galius Cerneckis also impressed with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

Zalgiris's other double-digit scorers were Maksim Brnovic with 13 points, Dovydas Buika with 12, and Ilja Kurucs with 11.

For Dubai, Bogdan Zekavica was the only player to stand out offensively, netting a game-high 20 points.

Zalgiris opened the game with a 32-16 first quarter and proceeded to outscore Dubai in each of the final three quarters (21-15, 25-17, 22-20) as it eased to an 100-68 victory.

The Lithuanian side led at the end of all four quarters

U18 Zalgiris Kaunas v U18 Dubai Basketball (2025-02-07T17:00:00.000Z)

Kerem Konan knows he will make mistakes on the court, but he is also aware that there are ways to make up amends in order to retain his minutes. The 20-year-old appreciates the trust he has earned from Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul head coach Dusan Alimpijevic. And it has pushed him forward in his development. 

Kerem Konan: 'Coach Alimpijevic makes me feel free on the court'

[Kerem Konan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kerem-konan/011379/) knows he will make mistakes on the court, but he is also aware that there are ways to make up amends in order to retain his minutes. The 20-year-old appreciates the trust he has earned from [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/) head coach [Dusan Alimpijevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/alimpijevic-dusan/). And it has pushed him forward in his development. 

Konan has averaged 2.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists in just over 12 minutes per game for Besiktas in 18 EuroCup games, with the Turkish side making the BKT EuroCup Playoffs and setting up an eighthfinals matchup with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana.

This is Konan’s second season in the EuroCup after he tallied 3.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.7 rebounds in 13 minutes per game last season. He had some of his best numbers in the three-game semifinal loss to Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse with 3.7 points and 5.3 rebounds.   

“Playing in the EuroCup semifinals at the age of 19 was very exciting and enjoyable," he told David Hein. "We played basketball in incredible atmospheres. Bourg was a good team and playing \[Game 3\] in France was really not easy, it was a difficult away game. We lost the game. I was very upset but at the same time I had gained experience and I was happy for that. 

“Yes, I wanted to win the cup, but it didn't happen, that's why I always look ahead. I focus on my future and I want to work harder to win things.”

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Konan really took a major step forward last season. In the second half of the EuroCup Regular Season, he played at least 14 minutes in six of eight games, compared to none in the first half of the regular season. And he averaged 22 minutes in the semifinals.

The Denizli native recalled a message he received from Alimpijevic before the season. 

“He said to me there are five big players and you are the last one to play. But you are training very well and if you continue like this you will start playing," Konan recalled. "I always worked hard and I got that time from him and he started to trust me. He always told me to be energetic and I was always trying to do whatever I could."

He had his best two games last season against Veolia Towers Hamburg, picking up 10 points in Round 6 and then scoring 14 points in Round 15. 

All that was a matter of belief from the coach, Konan said.

“It is really important in basketball that the coach trusts you, and I think the coaches who make you feel this are very special. You feel free on the court and you are not afraid. And this is how you gain confidence.”

Konan has long been one of Türkiye’s top young talents. He has played for the country’s youth national teams starting in 2021 and he helped Türkiye take second place at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2022. The next summer Konan averaged 6.1 points at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023, where Türkiye beat United States in the game for third place. That was the first time that a Turkish national team – regardless of age – has ever beaten the United States. 

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Konan left Denizl for Bandirma in 2019 at age 16 for the famed youth program at Banvit. 

“It was one of the best years of my life. I still miss it so much. I had so many memories and friends," Konan remembered. "There were so many talented players, but everyone was fighting each other and improving themselves."

After just one season, the club folded and Besiktas bought most of Banvit’s top talents, bringing in Konan, Alperen Sengun, Sehmus Hazer, Furkan Haltali, Sadik Emir and Eray Akyuz among others. 

“I was very sad when Banvit closed. It was a really great place. Yes, I moved to Besiktas with many of my friends, but this was our experience. When we came here, of course, there was no atmosphere like Banvit, but it was not bad.”

Konan played for Besiktas’s U19 team in 2020-21 but had a front row seat in watching Sengun dominate for Besiktas’s pro team to the tune of 18.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks. That earned him the Turkish League MVP award and ended up helping him get drafted to the NBA with the Houston Rockets. 

“He was incredibly impressive, but he was very talented and admired for what he did. At that age he was fighting on the court and he was very confident. This was very obvious and I saw these things in him,” Konan said. 

“We don't talk much. Of course I watch and follow him. He still does incredible things. As a Turk, it's very nice that he is doing these things and it inspires me a lot.”

And now, thanks to the confidence from coach Dusan Alimpijevic, Konan is making inroads in inspiring other youngsters across the country. 

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The Besiktas talent has earned his coach’s trust and is paying him back with his performances

Nice move from Monaco! Motorola Magic Moment

U18 FC Barcelona got its Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Ulm campaign off to the best of starts by romping to a dominant 48-101 win against ALBA Berlin in Round 1. 

Sayon Keita did a bit of everything for Barcelona, posting a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double in 21 minutes, as well as 1 assist, 3 steals and 5 blocks. 

Barcelona swats ALBA aside, 48-101

U18 FC Barcelona got its Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Ulm campaign off to the best of starts by romping to a dominant 48-101 win against ALBA Berlin in Round 1. 

Sayon Keita did a bit of everything for Barcelona, posting a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double in 21 minutes, as well as 1 assist, 3 steals and 5 blocks. 

Mathieu Grujicic, back in his native Germany, also shined for Barcelona with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals in almost 17 minutes. Arturas Butajevas was Barcelona's other double-digit scorer, netting 14 points. The only player to reach double figures in scoring for ALBA was Matheo Hermann.

Barcelona started the game as it meant to go on, ending the first quarter with a 6-30 lead, and the Blaugrana went on to outscore ALBA in each of the three remaining quarters (18-21, 12-32, 12-18) as it coasted to victory.

U18 ALBA Berlin v U18 FC Barcelona (2025-02-07T14:45:00.000Z)