Name: Top 10 Plays | RS Round 4 | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

A special performance in a come-from behind 76-69 win over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has seen LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne guard Theo Maledon secure MVP of the Round honors for the first time in his 24-game Turkish Airlines EuroLeague career.

Round 4 MVP: Theo Maledon, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

A special performance in a come-from behind 76-69 win over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has seen LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne guard [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) secure MVP of the Round honors for the first time in his 24-game Turkish Airlines EuroLeague career.

The 23-year-old Maledon starred by posting a career-high 25 points in a low-scoring affair, making 1-of-3 two-point shots, sinking 5-of-10 triples and making all 8 of his free throws. He also pulled down 6 rebounds, had 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, while drawing 7 fouls for a PIR of 36, the highest of any player in Round 4 and the joint highest in any game this season.

Behind Maledon are two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague veterans, each with a PIR of 30, [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) of Anadolu Efes Istanbul and [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) of FC Barcelona. Larkin led Efes in a 91-89 win over Olympiacos Piraeus with 24 points, making 5-of-7 two-pointers and 4-of-7 three-pointers, while also amassing 4 assists, 2 rebounds and 7 fouls drawn. Punter shined with 26 points on 10-for-13 field-goal shooting, in addition to posting 3 assists and 4 steals in a 94-98 overtime road win at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. Rounding out the list of Round 4's top performers are [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) of AS Monaco and [Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/) of FC Bayern Munich, each with a PIR of 29. James collected 19 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and drew 8 fouls in a 101-85 win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna, while Napier scored 27 points on 6-for-10 three-point shooting, with 5 assists, in a 109-107 win over Paris Basketball.

### Individual highs: Carsen Edwards, Bayern, 32 points

[Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) of Bayern erupted for a career-best 32 points in Round 4, the most of any player this season. Edwards is the league’s leading scorer, averaging 18.3 points per game.

ASVEL's [Neal Sako](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/neal-sako/010545/) pulled down 12 rebounds, more than anyone else in this round. Sako tops the charts in rebounds, posting 10.0 boards per night.

Two players – [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Paris’ [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) – had 9 assists apiece in Round 4. Blatt has averaged a league-best 9.0 assists per contest this season.

Punter and Olympiacos guard [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) each had 4 steals, the most in Round 4. ASVEL's Sako leads the league in steals with 2.3 per game.

Partizan’s [Aleksej Pokusevski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/aleksej-pokusevski/008232/) had a career-high 3 blocks in this round, which is a round-high mark. Real Madrid’s [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) is atop the standings in blocks, averaging 2.0 per night.

[Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Sako (14 points, 12 rebounds) had the only double-doubles in Round 4.

First MVP of the Round honor for the 23-year old guard.

Be sure to take a look at the best ten plays of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 4!

Top 10 Plays | RS Round 4 | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Check out the best plays of Round 4 and see who had the best of them all.

Round 4: Top 10 Plays

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our fourth winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! Georgina Tsi beat everyone else in Round 4 with a team nonakos, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 224.45, the highest score this season.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 4 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our fourth winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Georgina Tsi beat everyone else in Round 4 with a team nonakos, which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 224.45, the highest score this season.

Georgina had the following lineup: Theo Maledon of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne as team captain, then the rest of his starting five included Tamir Blatt of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Dovyas Giedraitis of Zalgiris Kaunas, Nikola Kalinic of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Devin Booker of FC Bayern Munich. Team's head coach was Gordon Herbert of Bayern.

Mike James of AS Monaco was the sixth man, while the four bench players were Monaco's Mam Jaiteh, Ercan Osmani of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Alberto Abalde of Real Madrid and Zach LeDay of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.

The prize for finishing first in Round 4 is a free VIP Euroleague TV Subscription for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Georgina!

Ognjen Vilotijevic with a team Yaretai is the leader of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/) overall standings with 692.65 points.

Trades are now open for Round 5, and for the first time this season, all players are allowed unlimited trades.

The first game in Round 5 tips off on Wednesday, October 23, as Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade faces Virtus Segafredo Bologna at 20:30 CEST. That game marks the next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner!

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager. 

LDLC ASVEL guard Theo Maledon spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Theo Maledon: 'That's what you dream of'

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne guard Theo Maledon spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 4 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-10-18T18:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard Shane Larkin spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Olympiacos BC in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Shane Larkin: 'I try to take a little bit more responsibility'

Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard Shane Larkin spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 4 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-10-18T17:30:00.000Z)

AS Monaco Basket guard Mike James spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Virtus Bologna in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Mike James: 'As long as we win, I feel better about myself'

AS Monaco guard Mike James spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 4 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

AS Monaco v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-10-18T17:00:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona swingman Kevin Punter spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat KK Crvena zvezda in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Kevin Punter: 'We showed a lot of character'

FC Barcelona swingman Kevin Punter spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in Round 4 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v FC Barcelona (2024-10-18T18:00:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL guard Theo Maledon had a career night against Baskonia, playing a key role in leading his team to a Round 4 win in the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Theo Maledon showed against Baskonia that he is having fun again

If the opening four games of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is any indicator, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne’s opponents had better be careful this season. That is because [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) is having fun again playing basketball.

Maledon set a series of career highs in [ASVEL’s thrilling 76-69 comeback victory over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/asvel-reels-off-17-0-fourth-quarter-run-to-rally-past-baskonia-76-69/), including 25 points, 5 three-pointers, 3 steals, 2 blocks and a PIR of 36. He also chipped in 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 7 fouls drawn.

Still just 23, Maledon’s performance was highlighted by two big three-pointers in the final two and a half minutes, including the backbreaker triple with 53 seconds to play. Maledon also dished out two assists and had two free throws as part of a five-point possession as ASVEL reeled off 17 straight points in the final five minutes of the game. That came immediately after Baskonia had turned an 11-point deficit into an 11-point lead with a 9-31 run.

“Just not giving up, staying together. The last couple of EuroLeague games, we gave up leads in the fourth quarter and weren’t able to come back,” Maledon told EuroLeague TV after the game. “Thanks to the fans and coaches, we were able to stay together and do the little things that ended up helping us get the result and the win we needed.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DO YOU FEEL THE ENERGY ? 🔥🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/RHAME0Grmi">pic.twitter.com/RHAME0Grmi</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1847390092341424182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When asked what it was like hitting those big threes – after which he raised his arms in joy both times – Maledon said: “It was amazing. That’s what you dream of when you are a kid: having big-time plays in a big-time game. I’m just grateful and thankful to have this game.”

Maledon has been putting up some big numbers since returning to Europe after four seasons in the NBA. The former Oklahoma City Thunder guard is averaging 17.5 points on nearly 50/40/90 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 6.0 fouls drawn and 24.5 PIR.

“\[The fourth quarter comeback\] was tough. Theo helped us, hitting some tough shots. And we found a new reason to finish the game,” added [Neal Sako](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/neal-sako/010545/), who contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds for his third straight double-double.

ASVEL head coach Pierric Poupet has put a lot of faith in Maledon, who is playing 28 minutes a game in the EuroLeague this season – significantly more than he did in his final three seasons in the NBA. Those three campaigns from 2021 to 2024 all saw him spend some time in the G League. And now he is back at the club he debuted with as a professional when he was just 17 years old and played 22 EuroLeague games for in the 2019-20 season before heading to the NBA.

Maledon said he feels welcome back in France and that is a big reason why there is a smile on his face so much.

"Thanks to everybody for making sure I feel comfortable; I am back to playing basketball and having fun. That’s all that matters.”

Be warned, the rest of the EuroLeague.

Game News

The young guard has already emerged as one of ASVEL's leaders this season

FC Barcelona enjoyed a memorable 94-98 overtime over KK Crvena zvezda on Friday night, with former KK Partizan duo Kevin Punter and Jan Vesely standing out for the Spanish side.

Clutch, 'big-time plays' lifted Barcelona to a memorable OT win

Streaks and records are meant to be broken, but FC Barcelona kept one of its long-lasting winning streaks alive by going on the road and edging out the previously unbeaten Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade on Friday night.

A [thrilling 94-98 win in a fantastic atmosphere](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/punter-barcelona-edge-crvena-zvezda-94-98-in-ot-classic/) at a packed Belgrade Arena was Barcelona's 12th consecutive win over Zvezda, which last beat the *Azulgrana* more than seven years ago. The winning streak over Zvezda had some hard-fought wins, but this one might be the most memorable of them all.

Friday night, however, had all the makings of Zvezda ending the streak, with ex-Barcelona man [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) and [Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) pulling all the right strings for the hosts. 

Yet, [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) – back in the Serbian capital after representing Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade over the last three years – showed why he is one of the most clutch players in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. With the game on the line, he stepped up late to guide Barcelona to the win and improving his team to a 3-1 record on the season.

"Those guys made some big plays, and we kept responding," Punter told EuroLeague TV afterward. "We showed a lot of character pushing it to overtime, and we got the win."

If Punter felt particularly happy with his performance against Crvena Zvezda, he did not show it on the floor of an arena he knows so well. As a former Zvezda player who spent the last three seasons in archrival Partizan's uniform, Punter's return to the Serbian capital was long-awaited.

And saying that he delivered would not do him justice, as he scored 16 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. He was 6 for 7 on twos and 4 of 6 from long range, knocking down two triples apiece in the fourth  and in the extra session.

Kevin Punter knocks down a three-pointer in Belgrade Arena for the lead.

Punter sinks a go-ahead triple! Motorola Magic Moment

Barcelona erased a nine-point third-quarter deficit and the game was going down to the wire when Punter took over.

He was the one who made a triple that gave Barcelona an 82-84 lead with 10.4 seconds left in regulation. After Zvezda forced overtime, Punter's triple with 55 seconds to go put Barcelona up for good, 93-96. Then, to put the cherry on top, Punter recorded his fourth steal with five seconds remaining in the game before racing down the other end to score a celebratory layup.

"They made a little run and we stayed with it. We made big-time plays and we stayed together," Punter said.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">2⃣6⃣ punts<br>3⃣0⃣ de valoració<br><br>𝐒𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐕𝐏 𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐒 😳 <a href="https://t.co/WGSlPRTc7b">pic.twitter.com/WGSlPRTc7b</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1847383236114338000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

His partner in crime on this night was [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/), another former Partizan player who knows well what is like to play at Belgrade Arena. He finished with 19 points and 5 rebounds in 27 minutes of action.

"We know how difficult it is to win in this arena," Vesely stated in a post-game interview with EuroLeague TV. "Crvena Zvezda is a great team and they showed it early in the season."

But Barcelona was the one which came out victorious. A tough win in one of the toughest EuroLeague environments was Barcelona's third straight triumph and second this week.

"We had great mentality today," Vesely added. "In the second half and overtime, we played focused and ready to do the job. We are very happy that we are coming back with a win."

The Azulgrana improved to 3-1 after pulling out a win in the first overtime game of the 2024-25 season

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-FC Barcelona | RS Round 4 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

AS Monaco Basket duo Mike James and Elie Okobo could not be stopped against Virtus Bologna in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Mike James and Elie Okobo shined as Monaco vanquished Virtus 

AS Monaco showcased its attacking potential in [an emphatic 101-85 whitewash of Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monaco-makes-light-work-of-virtus-101-85/) as pack leader [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) and versatile guard [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/) combined for 39 points, with the home side running riot in the second half after trailing 46-47 at the interval.

Monaco took perfect care of the ball as it dished out 16 assists and committed just 2 turnovers, having also managed 7 steals on the back of strong second-half defense which had Virtus reeling. The hosts also shot the lights out from deep, hitting 12 of 24, while confining Virtus to 7 of 26 as the visitors also committed 10 turnovers.

James, who needed time to get into his stride after undergoing back surgery during the off-season, netted 19 points and Okobo poured 20 on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor, while the rest of the pack followed as six home players finished in double digits.

The livewire playmaker that he is, James was delighted with Monaco’s effort after a scathing 86-71 at FC Barcelona in the previous round, having pointed out that he was still working on returning to full fitness.

“It’s a process, obviously, and I am just trying to get back in shape and allow my body to catch up to where it was,” James said in a courtside interview. “It didn’t feel like us the last time round and we just wanted to get back to moving and sharing the ball. I felt we did that tonight, especially in the second half.” 

Monaco head coach Sasa Obradovic was also pleased with his team bouncing back in style from a tepid display against Barca. “We need some time to click but it was a great response after the Barcelona defeat,” the Serbian tactician stated. “We played on a high level, especially in the second half, as the whole team did a good job with several players finishing in double digits.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🤝 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/HwAi4ceKAf">pic.twitter.com/HwAi4ceKAf</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1847369639317426664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Okobo added: “We picked up defensively in the second half and didn’t give them as many second chances as we did in the first. Everybody is important on this team and we showed that tonight.”

Early days in the regular season do not make happy reading for Virtus, which slumped to its fourth successive defeat after collapsing in the second half, having had the upper hand in the first.

The Italian team’s head coach Luca Banchi acknowledged the performance left a lot to be desired. “It was very difficult for us to stop their guards as they used all their talent to their advantage,” he said. “We were pretty consistent in the first 20 minutes, but they punished every single mistake we made in the second half.”   

The home team’s backcourt duo pulled all the strings in a flawless offensive performance 

Anadolu Efes got its first EuroLeague win at Basketball Development Center after coming from behind to beat Olympiacos BC 91-89 in Round 4.

Tomislav Mijatovic celebrates Efes’ first win in new home

Anadolu Efes Istanbul celebrated its first victory in its brand-new home on Friday night, [coming back from behind to overcome Olympiacos Piraeus 91-89](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/efes-overcomes-early-deficit-to-overcome-olympiacos-91-89/) in a thrilling finale.

The 2021 and 2022 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion debuted at the Basketball Development Center – built on the site of the iconic but now dismantled Abdi Ipekci Arena – last week with the excitement of a local derby against crosstown rivals Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, but came away disappointed after suffering a 78-83 defeat.

But the new venue is now starting to really feel like home thanks to a stirring comeback victory over perennial title contender Olympiacos, rallying from an 8-23 first-quarter deficit and winning the fourth quarter 26-19 to take the victory.

Efes head coach Tomislav Mijatovic believes the vibrant atmosphere generated by his team’s supporters played a significant role in the triumph, especially during the crucial closing stages when the game took its final and decisive swing in the hosts’ direction.

“\[It was an\] amazing reaction from our fans,” he said. “We’re in a new home, and we need to have this kind of support every time. It gave us extra wings, an extra push, and this is a great building block for what’s coming up next. It was a tremendous basketball evening here in Istanbul.”

Mijatovic always had words of praise for the character shown by his players after their slow start to the contest, enthusing: “Sincere congratulations to our guys, who never stopped believing, never stopped executing what we wanted to execute, never stopped going where we wanted to go.

“My heart goes to them, they’re doing a tremendous job and this is the way to play.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">🫂 Size inanıyoruz! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/cHrppsFhS6">pic.twitter.com/cHrppsFhS6</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1847358566681714790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Efes roster now has very few players remaining from the back-to-back title-winning team led by Ergin Ataman, but Mijatovic believes the new batch of players can enjoy much more success in the future.

“I’m very optimistic about the potential capacity of our team,” he commented. “We have a little bit more to go, which is normal, but I’m happy about how things are clicking among the players – the leaders, the newcomers, the players that have their role within the team.

“Our offensive potential has a high ceiling, and we need to continue to explore that potential and get close to that ceiling.”

And with a few more thrilling finishes like Friday night’s, the ceiling of the new Basketball Development Center will also be raised by the noise of the Efes fans.

His side beat an Olympiacos team that led for the majority of the contest

With 2.1 seconds to go, Teodosic inbounds a long pass, and Codi releases just in time and hits an amazing buzzer-beatter.

Codi's amazing buzzer-beater! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night 

 With 2.1 seconds to go, Teodosic inbounds a long pass, and Codi releases just in time and hits an amazing buzzer-beatter.

Kevin Punter led the way as FC Barcelona ended the unbeaten record of KK Crvena zvezda, winning 94-98 in overtime in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Punter, Barcelona edge Crvena Zvezda 94-98 in OT classic

In the first overtime game of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, FC Barcelona pulled out a 94-98 victory of the previously undefeated Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade inside a packed Belgrade Arena on Friday. Both teams now share a league-best 3-1 record after the first double-round week of the season, as there are no more unbeaten teams heading into Round 5. 

The two teams traded leads throughout the entire four quarter. Zvezda did go up 65-56 late in the third, only for Barcelona to answer with a 1-11 run bridging the third and fourth quarter and going back in front. Zvezda entered the final minute up 82-81, but Kevin Punter, the game's top scorer, hit a three-pointer with 10.4 seconds to go in the fourth, then Yago Dos Santos drove for a layup on the other end to send the game to overtime. In the extra session, Barcelona hit four three-pointers, including two more from Punter, and the one-time All-EuroLeague guard also sealed the deal by stealing the ball five seconds before the end.

Punter finished the game with 26 points on 4-for-6 three-point shooting. Jan Vesely scored 19 points, Jabari Parker netted 13, while Tomas Satoransky and Willy Hernangomez scored 11 apiece in the win. Dos Santos paced Zvezda with 23 points, Nikola Kalinic scored 19, Joel Bolomboy collected 11 points and 7 rebounds, while Mike Daum scored all of his 10 points in the third quarter.

Punter was Barcelona's offensive facilitator early on, scoring 6 points. When Parker's triple dropped, the visitors held a 5-11 lead. Zvezda got going when Milos Teodosic entered the game, with Kalinic scoring 7 points, including a layup followed by a triple, as hosts went in front for the first time, 16-15. A three from Teodosic and back-to-back triples from Dos Santos had the hosts 25-21 ahead, but Satoransky answered with a three and then Vesely scored a layup to make it 25-26 after 10 minutes.

Baskets from Vesely and Nicolas Laprovittola put Barcelona up 27-30 early in the second. But Luka Mitrovic scored twice inside, Rokas Giedraitis hit one from the outside, and Yago scored five points, including a three-point play, as Zvezda went in front, 39-33. Hernangomez and Parker replied, each with two baskets, and despite another three from Giedraitis, Barcelona tied things up at 44-44. With just 2.1 seconds left on the game clock, Teodosic sent a long inbound pass to Miller-McIntyre, who nailed a buzzer-beating triple to set a 47-44 score at halftime.

Barcelona opened the third quarter with three-pointers from Parker and Laprovittola. Satoransky scored from close range before a jumper from Vesely made it 49-54, forcing Zvezda into a timeout. But the hosts replied in style. Daum and Kalinic knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, then Daum and Miller-McIntyre took it to the rim on consecutive possessions to give Zvezda a 59-54 lead. Punter snapped a 10-0 run with a jumper, but Daum and Bolomboy hit back-to-back threes to give the hosts a bit of breathing room, 65-56. Before the quarter came to an end, Dario Brizuela hit a pair of threes and cut the deficit to 66-63 entering the fourth quarter.

Baskets from Punter and Hernangomez restored the lead for the visitors, 66-67, but a three-point play from Mitrovic snapped a 1-11 run. Punter nailed a triple and Vesely a jumper to keep Barcelona with a slim lead. Bolomboy's big dunk and a long jumper from Dos Santos made it 75-72, only for Vesely to tie the game before Satoransky hit a corner triple for another lead change, 77-78. Kalinic and Dos Santos restored Zvezda's lead, and the hosts entered the final minute up 82-81. Punter's triple with 10.4 seconds to go in the fourth put Barcelona up 82-84, and after Yago's runner tied the game, Punter missed a long triple as the game went to overtime.

In the extra session, back-to-back threes from Punter and Parker put Barcelona up 88-90, but Dos Santos scored a three-point play that helped the hosts go back ahead, 93-90. However, back-to-back threes from Laprovittola and Punter led to another lead change, 93-96. Zvezda had a chance to tie in the final seven seconds, down two points, but Punter stole Bolomboy's pass and raced the other way for a layup, sealing the win.

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It was the first overtime game of the new season

LDLC ASVEL downed Baskonia 76-69 in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season, leaning on a 17-0 run in the fourth quarter to get the job done.

ASVEL reels off 17-0 fourth-quarter run to rally past Baskonia, 76-69

Theo Maledon had a night for the ages as he guided LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne to a thrilling 76-69 comeback victory at home over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 4 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. ASVEL improved to 2-2 on the young season, the same record for Baskonia, which had just eight players see game time after having beaten Real Madrid earlier in the week.

Maledon scored a career-high 25 points, netting 5 three-pointers, as he helped ASVEL reel off a 17-0 run in the fourth quarter immediately after having watched Baskonia go from 11 points down to 11 points up with a 9-31 surge. Neal Sako was the only other ASVEL player in double figures scoring, contributing 14 points and 12 rebounds for his third straight double-double. Before ASVEL’s big punch, Chima Moneke looked to be the hero for Baskonia with 18 points and 8 rebounds while Donta Hall had 15 points. ASVEL limited Markus Howard to just 7 points.

David Lighty and Maledon both hit triples as ASVEL scored on its first three possessions for an 8-0 lead, forcing Baskonia to call a timeout after just 81 seconds. The guests needed more than two minutes to score and a Paris Lee triple had ASVEL up 13-2. Sako tallied his third basket as the hosts’ advantage grew to 20-6. Baskonia did finish the quarter strong with the final six points to trail 20-12 after 10 minutes.

Maledon started the scoring in the second quarter and Sako added two free throws as the ASVEL cushion was back to 13 points, 27-14. Baskonia’s main man Howard finally scored his first points on a layup around the midway mark in the quarter to make it 29-20. ASVEL answered with the next five points and the gap was 14 points again. Kamar Baldwin drained back-to-back triples to trim it to 36-26 and ASVEL led 38-26 at the break.

Maledon hit ASVEL’s first score in the second half and it was 40-28. That is when Howard started heating up – a baseline jumper, assist and three-pointer as Baskonia pulled within 42-36. Sako and Maledon continued their great games and the lead was 47-36. Moneke took over with nine points in Baskonia’s 4-18 run to take the lead – the forward hitting a three-pointer to give the guests their first lead of the game at 51-54. And it was 53-54 after 30 minutes.

Moneke was not slowed by the break with a jumper and three-pointer as Baskonia surged ahead 53-61. ASVEL did not score its first points of the frame until the 6:44-minute mark with a Maledon triple. Moneke scored another basket and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot drained a triple as the hosts led 56-67. ASVEL did not let its head hang and reeled off 17 straight points – including two free throws and a three-pointer by Maledon after an unsportsmanlike foul on Hall and two scores by Edwin Jackson to go 73-67 ahead. Hall stopped the bleeding, but Maledon delivered the backbreaker three-pointer with 53 seconds for the final score.

The French side has won both of its home games so far this season

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | RS Round 4 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Anadolu Efes Istanbul-Olympiacos Piraeus | RS Round 4 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

AS Monaco Basket eased to a 101-85 win over Virtus Bologna in Round 4 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Monaco makes light work of Virtus, 101-85

AS Monaco breezed to a 101-85 home victory over Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 4 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, improving its record to 3-1 after high-scoring guard Mike James finally served up a vintage performance with 19 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds.

Elie Okobo paced the home team with a game-high 20 points, Mam Jaiteh chipped in with 15 and 7 boards while Vitto Brown amassed 14 points and 4 rebounds. Matthew Strazel netted 12 points and Jordan Loyd added 11 to underline a flowing team effort from Monaco, which found another gear in the second half after trailing 46-47 at the interval.

At the other end, Toko Shengelia stood out for Virtus with 17 points, Momo Diouf scored 12 while Matt Morgan and Isaia Cordinier netted 11 each for the visitors, who remain rooted to the bottom of the standings after suffering a fourth successive defeat.

Virtus, the only winless team in the competition, made a bright start and led 20-24 at the end of the first quarter despite Monaco hitting 5 three-pointers in the opening period. The visitors extended their advantage to 28-38 before Monaco, driven by Okobo who scored all his 10 first-half points in the second quarter, hit back to edge ahead 41-40 shortly before halftime.

Virtus regained the lead in the closing stages of the first half but that was as good as it got for the Italian outfit, which faded out after the break as Monaco surged into a 71-64 lead at the end of the third period.

James, who struggled in the opening three games of the season after undergoing back surgery during the summer break, hit a clutch three-pointer off the dribble to keep Monaco in the driving seat, 78-68, early in the fourth after Virtus had slashed the deficit.

With James and the effervescent Okobo running the show, the hosts then pulled away in the home stretch and led by as many as 20 points in the closing stages, much to the delight of the home supporters.

The principality side coasted to a comfortable win on the back of a strong second half performance