The Games of week 18:

Hapoel vs FC Bayern

FC Bayern arrived in Israel carrying good momentum, but facing league leaders Hapoel on their home floor rarely comes with shortcuts. This one asked early questions, and the answers kept changing until Bayern’s defense settled the discussion.

Hapoel set the tone first, opening 3 of 3 from deep, two of them from former EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic. Bayern responded with structure. A well drawn set used Andreas Obst’s gravity to carve out a deep paint touch for Lucic, who went straight at Micic to halt a 5 0 run. That became a theme. Bayern targeted Micic relentlessly through post ups and ball screens, attacking him as both defender and handler, and they found pockets of success. Micic still rode the early wave, though, pairing with Oturu to do most of the damage. Oturu punished switches and cleaned up on the offensive glass, and together the duo accounted for 19 of Hapoel’s 26 first quarter points. Even as the hot shooting cooled to 1 of 6 after the opening burst, it was enough for a 26 23 lead after one.

The second quarter hinted at what was coming later. Bayern opened with a 7 2 run, capped by a Voigtmann three that gave them their first lead since 2 0 and forced Itoudis into a quick timeout. Bayern’s defensive intensity ticked up, the ball moved with purpose, and the Germans kept hunting good looks. Hapoel leaned on Blakeney, who scored the team’s first seven points of the quarter, all from the mid range, sparking a 9 0 run that pushed the home side up seven. Bayern answered with defense. They pushed Hapoel late into the shot clock and forced six turnovers in the quarter, slowly chipping away. The final two minutes belonged to Obst. Sitting on two points and 0 for 6 shooting, one three was enough to open the floodgates. He rattled off a personal 7 0 run with elite shot making, and Bayern went into halftime up 43 39, a margin kept close largely by Hapoel’s nine offensive rebounds.

Out of the locker room, Hapoel adjusted. Every screen involving Obst became an automatic switch, a clear attempt to deny the German shooter. It did not change the flow. Bayern’s defense controlled the third quarter, allowing just two points over more than seven minutes, those coming on the first score of the period. Chris Jones finally stopped the drought with a tough mid range jumper after a timeout, but Bayern never lost control. Neno Dimitrijevic added nine points in the quarter, and the lead stayed firmly in double digits.

The fourth followed the same script. Both teams started slowly, but Bayern claimed six of the first eight points, forcing another Itoudis timeout. It did not flip the momentum. Hapoel’s offense had no answer for Bayern’s defense, and a steal leading to an Isiaha Mike transition dunk stretched the lead to 19. A late Chris Jones three, Hapoel’s first since the opening quarter, set the final score at 79 64.

This was a dominant performance from Bayern, who held Hapoel under 15 points in three quarters. Isiaha Mike led all scorers with 16, with three other Bayern players reaching double figures. For Hapoel, only Micic and Oturu finished in double digits, and after the end of the first quarter they combined for just four points. Shooting accuracy told the rest of the story. Hapoel finished at 37.3 percent from the field, while Bayern connected on 50.8 percent, a gap that reflected control, discipline, and a defensive performance that traveled beautifully.

 

Olympiacos vs Barcelona

This one came with familiar faces back on the floor. Will Clyburn returned for Barça, and Olympiacos welcomed Milutinov back into the mix. The opening minutes belonged entirely to the home team. Olympiacos blasted out to an 11 2 start in the first four minutes, living in the paint and dictating an insane pace. Barcelona never matched that tempo early and had no real answer inside.

Xavi Pascual reacted quickly, pulling Clyburn and inserting Norris to add size and defense next to Vesely. Barça shifted into a more aggressive defensive posture, clogging the paint and daring Olympiacos to beat them from deep. It was a logical bet. Olympiacos was not scoring from behind the arc, but their interior presence still overwhelmed Barcelona. Tyrique Jones made his presence felt immediately with a monster block, and his mobility allowed Olympiacos to run the floor more effectively than when Milutinov was anchoring the middle. At one point the gap ballooned to 17, and by the end of the first quarter Barcelona looked overwhelmed by Olympiacos on both ends. Six turnovers allowed, six offensive rebounds conceded, a brutal opening snapshot.

The second quarter brought some life. Brizuela ignited Barcelona off the bench with 12 points, most of them in the period, and Barça finally found a hint of rhythm. Still, the mistakes did not stop. Turnovers piled up, and Olympiacos punished nearly every one of them, scoring 80 percent of their points off giveaways. By halftime Barcelona had already committed 11 turnovers. Olympiacos was just 3 of 11 from three, a quiet reminder that the lead could have been even larger.

Down nine entering the third, Barcelona started chipping away through effort. They hustled defensively, Olympiacos went scoreless for two minutes, and Barça took better care of the ball. The margin shrank, briefly, before Olympiacos answered with a 6 0 run to push it back out. Then the game tilted again. Olympiacos began missing defensive assignments, losing track of who was doing the damage, and Barcelona took advantage. With pick and rolls set high near half court, Olympiacos edged aggressively, opening space for Toko to make plays on the short roll. The turnover battle flipped completely. Olympiacos committed as many turnovers in the third quarter as they had in the entire first half. Barcelona committed just one.

The final moments of the quarter belonged to Clyburn. He went right at mismatches, using his size against Cory Joseph and his mobility against Milutinov, scoring eight points in a flash. Barcelona had been down 17 after one quarter. By the end of the third, they were up five.

Olympiacos responded immediately in the fourth. They opened the period by hunting mismatches, moving the ball with more purpose, and tightening up defensively. Cory Joseph showed exactly why he matters, gliding over screens to disrupt Barcelona’s ball handlers and finding chemistry with Tyrique Jones on the other end. As the pressure rose, Barça’s offense stalled. Possessions devolved into heavy isolation. Olympiacos stayed aggressive after every switch, shrinking the mismatches and forcing Barcelona into lazy threes. The result was a crushing 13 2 run. Barcelona scored just four points in eight minutes, an impossible number if you want to compete at this level.

The ending came down to a game within the game. The matchup tiebreaker stayed alive until the final second. Dorsey delivered an and one and then buried a dagger three with 0.5 seconds left to swing the tiebreaker toward Olympiacos. Pascual countered with one last wrinkle, drawing up a sideline play that freed Vesely for a mid range jumper from zero degrees, one of his best spots. The shot flipped the tiebreaker back to Barcelona, even after a fourth quarter that felt like a humiliation.

In the end, the story for Barça was simple and harsh. Lack of physicality and turnovers nearly erased a remarkable comeback and very nearly the bigger prize attached to it.

 

Key Performances of the Past Week:

Rodions Kurucs vs Zalgiris

Rodions Kurucs earns his spot here after Baskonia’s home win over Zalgiris, a game where the box score undersells what actually happened. Fifteen points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes looks tidy. It does not capture the full impact. The team high plus minus of plus 19 gets closer.

Kurucs scored with ruthless efficiency. Perfect from two, one miss from three, and every touch seemed to arrive with purpose. The scoring was not just catch and finish either. There was self creation mixed in, and it mattered. Four huge points in the clutch swung the game when possessions tightened and margins disappeared. This was scoring that bent the outcome, not just padded a line.

Defensively, this was Kurucs doing Kurucs things. He guarded across positions, one through five, and brought real value on that end. The late game stop on a Francisco isolation summed it up. Right place, right time, right angle. This was a reminder that the best performances are not always the loudest ones. Sometimes they are clean, sharp, and relentlessly effective in the margins. Kurucs lives there.

Tyrique Jones vs Barcelona

Credit where credit is due. Tyrique Jones has been a wrecking ball, and the performance against Barça demanded attention. Before his signing, some thought he was a bulkier version of Donta Hall who would not move the needle much. That take has not aged well.

Context matters. His days at Partizan were uneven, and situation shapes everything. With better playmakers and a better defensive structure, Jones has shown exactly how good he can be. Against Barça, he was decisive. They had no real answers for him. Offensively, he fits this Olympiacos system perfectly. Defensively, the consistency has taken a real step forward.

In 20 minutes, Jones put up 16 points on 5 of 7 from two and 6 of 8 from the line, grabbed eight rebounds with five on the offensive glass, added three steals and three blocks, posted a plus 20, and finished with a PIR of 29. Those are not empty numbers. They reflect control, pressure, and physical dominance. This was a performance that tilted the floor every time he checked in.

 

Standings Watch:

Is there a league in the world with more parity than the EuroLeague? It is a fair question when just two wins separate the first spot from ninth. In a competition where any team can beat another on a given night, a bad run does not just hurt, it can completely rewrite the standings.

The Play In hunt stays tight. Dubai slipped one win behind the two Italian teams leading that chase and still sit two wins back of Zalgiris, who currently hold the last Play In spot. The margins here are thin enough that one result can swing the math in a hurry.

Compared to last week, there is no seismic shift, but the trends matter. Crvena Zvezda keeps climbing, gradually and methodically, now riding a four game winning streak. On the other side, Zalgiris has fallen to the final Play In position after losing to Baskonia and giving up 100 points. The loss itself matters. The way it happened matters more. This is one of the best defensive teams in the league, and that performance raised real questions.

At the top, the picture is clearer. Two powerhouses, Fener and Olympiacos, are setting the pace. Meanwhile, Hapoel is trending down, and the alarms are buzzing in Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv’s offices. In this league, nothing stays static for long, and right now the balance feels as fragile as it has all season.

 

Week 19 Games to Watch:

FC Barcelona vs Fenerbahçe

Another week, another classic involving Barcelona, and this time the assignment is as hard as it gets. They host the league leaders and defending champions Fenerbahçe.

The identities could not be clearer. Fenerbahçe’s defense is in a league of its own, the only team sitting below a 110 DRTG. Barcelona answers on the other side of the ball, carrying the fifth best ORTG in the competition. Defense versus offense, pressure versus precision, the kind of contrast that usually decides itself possession by possession.

Talent is everywhere, at every position, which sets the table for a real clash. And then there is the bench chess match. This is Jasikevicius returning to Barcelona, where he was once coached by the current Barcelona coach Xavi Pascual. Apprentice meets the master, with smart adjustments expected on both sides. This one should feel big from the opening tip.

Hapoel vs Valencia

Not the most storied rivalry, but right now it might be one of the most fiery in the EuroLeague. These two teams hate each other, and they will do anything to come out on top.

In Israel, Valencia walks into a hostile environment. Pedro Martinez should be the principal target of the fans, but that noise should not affect the preparation or the work this Valencia side has done. Expect them to show their identity from the opening tip, steady and committed to what they do.

Hapoel, on the other hand, is not having the best moment of the season. Two defeats in a row have alarm bells ringing, and a loss here could push Hapoel’s owner to press the panic button, with consequences that could change things quickly.

This one has tension written all over it. Every EuroLeague fan should tune in.

Red Star vs Hapoel

This one has to be must see. Two passionate franchises, two very different momentums, and a lot riding on which version of each team shows up.

Red Star comes in flying, winners of four straight, playing with confidence and edge. They have size at every position and the offense has taken a real step forward, moving the ball better, stalling less, and looking far more fluid than earlier in the season. That balance changes the math of the game, especially against a Hapoel team that has struggled to control stretches lately.

Hapoel arrives after losing its last two matches against weaker opponents, Partizan and Bayern, and that matters. Momentum in this league is fragile. The matchup inside looms large, with Izundu shaping up as a hard problem for Hapoel, and the rebounding battle feeling like a potential swing factor that could decide the outcome.

Red Star will load their attention toward Elijah, trying to make someone else beat them. On the Hapoel side, more guys have to step up. Blakeney, in particular, needs to be that guy, but his inconsistency is the risk. In a game this physical and emotional, that volatility can become fatal.

Intensity, size, and confidence versus pressure, urgency, and unanswered questions. That is why this one belongs at the top of the watch list.

 

What’s at Stake:

FC Bayern is 5 and 3 since coach Pesic returned to the helm, and yet the standings remain unforgiving. Fifteenth place, four wins away from the Play In. That is the tension here. Is this another case of too little, too late, or does Pesic have one more “miracle” in him?

What is not debatable is the jump. Bayern has taken a real leap on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they went from a 116.5 DRTG before Pesic to a 108.9 after. Stretch that number across a full season and you are talking about a defense living next to Fenerbahçe at the very top of the league. The offense followed the same trajectory, climbing from a 107.1 ORTG to 113.7, and two players sit at the center of that shift.

Andreas Obst has seen his scoring rise by 4.3 points per game, moving from 12.1 to 16.4, but the biggest upgrade in overall impact belongs to Justinian Jessup. The American wing more than doubled his scoring, from 5 points per game to 11.8, thriving in many of the same actions that free Obst. The spacing, the timing, the confidence, it all looks different.

Whether a Play In berth is still reachable remains an open question. What is clear is that the improvement is notorious, and at minimum it gives fans a far better image of Bayern basketball than what they were watching earlier in the season.

Elsewhere, the stakes feel heavier and more volatile. The jobs of Ataman and Itoudis might be at stake, and they share more than elite coaching résumés. They work under unhinged team owners who want fast results and expect to win every competition. After Itoudis dropped the last two games, Hapoel’s owner publicly stated that no job was secure, putting his coach firmly in check. Then Greece added fuel to the fire. Panathinaikos lost in overtime to Aris, a good team with four EuroLeague players, and the reaction was loud. The owner said the coaching staff was fired, and even the players as well.

We all know that is not actually happening. But when there is smoke, there is fire, and right now the pressure across the league is as intense as the games themselves.

 

Biggest News Around EuroLeague

The last week delivered a quiet but telling shakeup, three players with expected impact in the EuroLeague either leaving the stage or being sidelined by club decisions. None of these moves happened in a vacuum, and all of them say something about where their teams are right now.

Devonte Graham and Crvena Zvezda chose to mutually terminate his contract after only seven EuroLeague games. The fit never quite clicked in Belgrade. The impact was not what was expected, and both sides pulled the plug early. Graham is now free to look for a new team, his EuroLeague chapter closing almost as quickly as it opened.

Mikka Muurinen’s situation feels heavier. The Finnish high flyer prospect has not seen the floor since round 13, and coach Penarroya did not sugarcoat the reasoning. He said Muurinen has the potential to be a top level player, but also that there is a part of basketball he does not understand right now. Even more concerning was the suggestion that he is only thinking about returning to America. That combination does not look good for Muurinen’s chances of getting back on EuroLeague floors anytime soon.

Then there is the Lorenzo Brown case, the most significant name of the three. The former EuroBasket MVP is no longer part of EA7 Olimpia Milano’s plans. Coach Peppe Poetta confirmed it after the Partizan game, stating that together with the club they decided he is out of the project. Brown has been a shell of himself this season, averaging 5.8 points and 2.7 assists while dealing with injuries, and his exclusion from Milano’s roster made it official.

Despite still being under contract, interest is already there. Several teams have been linked, including ACB options like Unicaja Malaga, with rumors also pointing toward Gran Canaria or Galatasaray. An ACB or Turkish League stop feels realistic, and at the very least, expect him to land in the Basketball Champions League. For a player of his pedigree, a new home should not take long to find.

 

This article was written by the European Hoops team: Tiago Cordeiro, João Caeiro and André Lemos. Make sure you give us a follow on Twitter at @EthosEuroleague!

The Games of week 17:

Monaco vs Crvena Zvezda

In the Principality, Monaco and the Red and Whites delivered the kind of game that bends late and snaps only after overtime. Crvena Zvezda arrived intent on imposing physicality, posting up Kalinic and other big wings on Mike James, but the early story belonged to Motiejunas. The Lithuanian center scored six quick points crashing the offensive glass, posting up, even running in transition. Monaco countered by attacking him relentlessly in pick and roll. Motiejunas held up well enough to help fuel an 11-0 run that put the visitors up 17-8 and forced Spanoulis into an early timeout.

Monaco responded with urgency. The pace picked up, the defense got more aggressive, and Diallo provided the spark with six points during a 13-3 run. Obradovic stopped the game, and the visitors steadied themselves. Scoring in the half court was still a grind, with most of their damage coming in transition or off offensive rebounds, but efficient finishing inside the arc carried Crvena Zvezda to a 27-21 lead after one on 11 of 17 shooting inside.

The second quarter tilted sharply. Monaco generated good looks and missed them. Crvena Zvezda punished that with a 10-2 start, opening a 14-point lead by playing with more flow while still hunting transition chances. At the media timeout it was 43-29. Then momentum flipped. The stoppage invited mistakes, three straight turnovers, and Monaco closed the half on a 15-7 run to trim what had been an 18-point hole down to six by halftime.

The third quarter belonged to Monaco. The defensive intensity jumped, switching with Hayes disrupted everything, and the visitors managed only five points in the first five minutes. Even small-ball looks stopped working consistently against the pressure. Blossomgame put Monaco back in front with a layup, and an Okobo three capped the surge with the home side leading 71-68 entering the fourth.

The final period opened evenly. Buckets were traded, and Cody Miller-McIntyre consistently stressed Monaco by attacking downhill. After a tie at 74, Monaco found separation with an 11-2 run led by Strazel’s six points and capped by a Nedovic three. Up nine with 5:31 left, it felt close to done. Jordan Nwora answered on both ends, getting stops and easy points at the line. Monaco misfired on quality looks, then Diallo buried a three to restore a seven-point cushion inside two minutes.

Crvena Zvezda refused to fold. Butler drilled a three to cut it to four. Two empty Monaco possessions followed. Miller-McIntyre missed from deep, but Ebuka Izundu soared for a putback dunk to make it a two-point game with 33 seconds left. After a timeout, the Serbian defense forced a five-second violation. Butler delivered again, driving left and banking in a game-tying layup with 12 seconds remaining. Mike James had the winner and left the three short. Overtime at 90.

Extra time rode the wave of the comeback. With a small-ball lineup, Nwora struck first with back-to-back threes, Hayes scoring in between. Monaco tried pairing Mirotic and Blossomgame, but it did not stick. Ojeleye’s two points completed an 8-2 run and forced another Monaco timeout. The response never fully came. Crvena Zvezda held the edge, and a last-second Alpha Diallo tip-in sealed a 100-96 final.

Monaco placed five players in double figures, led by Diallo’s 19, but team shooting told the story at 11 of 36 from three. For the Serbians, three players topped 15, and the brightest light was Ebuka Izundu with 22 points and 12 rebounds, seven on the offensive glass. In a game defined by swings, his work on second chances ultimately made the difference.

Barcelona vs Dubai

Barcelona opened with Satoransky, Punter and Brizuela, the latter usually a bench piece but clearly empowered from the jump. Brizuela attacked early, hunting his own offense while Dubai loaded up on Kevin Punter. On the other end, Barcelona’s aggressive hedging came with a cost. Kabengele rolled freely, rarely tagged early, and Dubai cashed in with easy interior scores. The rhythm and physicality of Dubai’s start forced Pascual into an early timeout. Musa made his return in the first quarter, but it was Dubai’s size across positions that defined the opening stretch, pushing the visitors to an 18-22 lead after one.

Barcelona answered with size of its own. Norris and Parra joined Vesely, and even without much off the dribble creation, the tone flipped on defense. Hedges were sharper, Kamenjas was tagged early and fronted to deny post touches, and Dubai’s offense lost its flow. With Wright IV on the bench, the dribble pressure dipped. Barcelona ripped off a 17-6 run, closing the paint and playing run-and-gun basketball, with Punter heating up from deep. Dubai waited too long to get its best lineup back on the floor and had to stop the game again. Out of that, Satoransky dialed up a set straight out of Tenerife, a fake screen against the hedge followed by a slip and a backdoor feed to Vesely at the rim.

Once Dubai’s two best players were back, their offense loosened up. Ball movement forced Barcelona to chase, and the in-and-out game created open looks. Barcelona grew more passive, but still carried a 49-41 halftime lead, driven by Punter’s 15 points, 13 of them in the second quarter.

The third quarter became its own contest. Dubai struck first with a 7-0 run. Barcelona countered with an 8-2 response. Kabengele remained a constant problem inside, and Barcelona struggled to fully contain him. Brizuela took over, scoring 14 by himself in the quarter and pushing Barcelona into double-digit territory. On the other side, Wright IV shifted from table-setter to scorer, hunting his own shot on the way to 23 points by the end of the third, before going down injured late in the period. Defensively, Dubai had lapses, and Barcelona punished them by moving the ball and working for quality shots.

With Wright sidelined, Avramovic entered and leaned into what he does best. Defense. He pressured ball handlers, drew charges, jumped passing lanes, and suddenly Barcelona looked uncomfortable. Dubai searched for a scoring punch, hoping Bacon would deliver, but it was Alexa who stepped up with back-to-back threes to cut the margin to five. Wright IV returned with five minutes left, and Barcelona’s ball security unraveled. Turnovers fueled Dubai’s transition game. A Wright three trimmed the deficit to two after being down 12. Barcelona went nearly two minutes without scoring, and Dubai tied it.

In the end, shot-making decided it. Brizuela and Punter answered when it mattered most, with Brizuela delivering the game-winning floater. Dubai left everything on the floor, defending with intent and forcing mistakes, but offensively rushed decisions followed each Barcelona response in crunch time. Barcelona survived because its closers showed up when the game demanded it.

EA7 Milano vs Zalgiris

Milano was the backdrop for a game that felt heavy from the tip. Play In implications, familiar faces, and two teams trying to define who they are this late in the season. EA7 Milano set the tone early, playing with urgency on both ends. The offense hummed right away, 10 points in the first three minutes, and the defense matched the energy. Active hands, sharper rotations, a clear attempt to look nothing like the previous two outings. By the first media timeout it was 17-8, and Shavon Shields looked like he was headed for one of those nights with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, before two early fouls cooled him off.

Zalgiris steadied once Ulanovas checked in. His presence calmed things down, and after a string of stops Tubelis punished mismatches on the block. Four quick points trimmed the margin, and from that first timeout on the Lithuanians won the quarter 11-5, cutting the deficit to three by the end of the first.

Milano again opened fast in the second quarter, after Francisco scored three free throws, the first points of the quarter. Milano then went on an 8-0 run, prompting Tomas Masiulis to call an early timeout with the lead back to eight. Zalgiris chipped away patiently, helped by Milano miscues and Maodo Lo’s five points in the quarter. Ulanovas went to work on the block and eventually tied the game. A tough Leday basket followed by a Francisco three sent Zalgiris into halftime up 45-44. Milano’s eight turnovers stood out, while Zalgiris struggled on the glass, splitting rebounds evenly despite needing more there.

The second half began with a clear adjustment. Milano deliberately hunted Leday, who had only four points on two shots in the first half, and he scored on the opening possession. Zalgiris answered with the next six points, and then came a dubious third foul on Shields. Poetta’s frustration earned him a technical, and the temperature of the game rose immediately. Milano fed off that sense of injustice. Nebo dominated the offensive glass, Shields caught fire, and Milano’s shooting from deep finally showed up. Shields poured in 15 points in the quarter, matching Milano’s entire first half output from three in just ten minutes. The defense tightened as well, pushing Zalgiris’ turnover count to eight for the quarter. Milano carried that surge into a 67-62 lead entering the fourth.

Zalgiris refused to fold. They opened the final period with six of the first eight points, but Marco Guduric answered with a personal 5-0 run to restore a six-point cushion. Maodo Lo responded in kind. First he brought Zalgiris within one, forcing Poetta to call timeout. The ATO worked, freeing Ellis for an open layup, but Lo came right back with a three to tie it at 76. Milano’s offense bogged down at the worst time. The threes stopped falling, just 1-of-8 in the quarter, and turnovers piled up. A Sleva free throw and a Francisco three pushed Zalgiris ahead by four with just over three minutes left.

Shields hit two free throws to keep Milano alive, but another controversial charge call led to a second technical and gave Zalgiris breathing room. This time there was no Milano response. Shields missed from deep, and Maodo Lo finished the night with a layup that stretched the lead to six with a minute to play, effectively sealing it.

Zalgiris walked out with an 86-82 win. Francisco led the way with 25 points and six assists, while Maodo Lo delivered the knockout stretch with 12 of his 17 in the fourth quarter. For Milano, Shields was brilliant with 27, and Guduric, Nebo and Leday all reached double figures, but turnovers, cold shooting late and a few costly moments swung a game that felt within reach until it wasn’t.

 

Key Performances of the Past Week:

Ebuka Izundu vs AS Monaco

Every week has a moment when a player introduces himself to the wider EuroLeague audience. This one belonged to Ebuka Izundu.

The rookie big man delivered the most dominant performance of the week against AS Monaco, putting up 22 points and 12 rebounds, seven of them on the offensive glass. The stat line pops immediately, but it still undersells what his 21 minutes actually did to the game. This was an announcement performance, the kind that makes people rewind possessions instead of just checking the box score.

Izundu’s presence on the offensive boards became a slow grind on Monaco’s spirit. Possession after possession refused to end, and that pressure built over time. The putback dunk late in the game was the exclamation point, a play that felt enormous in the context of Crvena Zvezda’s comeback and the road environment.

Defensively, he was more than solid. Izundu held his ground at the rim and even survived switches onto Monaco’s guards in isolation, using positioning and effort to make shots uncomfortable. There was no hiding him, and that mattered.

In a very important road win for the Serbians, Izundu was not just productive. He was central. For a rookie, that is the loudest statement you can make.

Kevin Punter vs ASVEL

This was one of those games that slipped through the cracks. Barcelona played ASVEL, Barcelona won by seven, and the night moved on. ASVEL scored 91 points, which tells you they had a real offensive game. Barcelona scored 98, and a big chunk of that belonged to Kevin Punter.

Nothing about the box score screamed for attention in the usual way, and that is probably the point. When a guy scores 31 points, adds four assists and two steals, it somehow does not make headlines anymore because we are used to it. That level of production has become the baseline expectation.

Punter’s scoring drove Barcelona’s offense in a game that could have gotten uncomfortable. ASVEL kept putting pressure on the scoreboard, and every time it felt like momentum might tilt, Punter was there with a bucket, a read, or a play that steadied things. His best plus minus on the team tells the story cleanly. When he was on the floor, Barcelona was in control.

This was not a loud performance in the media cycle, but it was a loud one on the court. Efficient scoring, timely playmaking, defensive activity, and a constant presence that shaped the game. Nights like this explain why Barcelona leans on him and why they can survive games where the margin is thinner than it looks at first glance.

Standings Watch:

This is the part of the season where the table stops being a list and starts feeling like a pressure test. The Play In race is tightening by the week. There are just three wins separating the 10th spot from the 11th, and that is the kind of margin where every possession starts to matter a little more. For the teams on the outside looking in, the room for error is shrinking fast. One bad week can quietly doom a season.

At the top, things are just as crowded. Four teams are sitting on 16 wins, and they are only one win clear of the trio of Olympiacos, AS Monaco and Valencia, all of them still hunting for home court advantage in the Play Offs. Nothing is settled, and the order can flip quickly with a single result.

Fenerbahçe are right in the middle of that chaos, already fighting for first place after a shaky start to the season. This has become familiar territory for a Sarunas Jasikevicius team. They start slow, they absorb the noise, and then they turn into a well oiled machine. Right now they are tied with Hapoel at the top after Hapoel’s loss to Partizan.

On the other side of the Play Off picture, Valencia have slipped into the seventh spot, tied with Monaco after losing three of their last four games. It is a reminder of how unforgiving this stretch can be. In a league this tight, a short skid is enough to change the entire outlook, and the standings reflect that reality every single week.

 

Week 18 Games to Watch:

Fenerbahçe vs Anadolu Efes

Standings do not matter when we talk about a Turkish derby. Games like these simply mean more. They mean more for the players, they mean more for the coaches, and they definitely mean more for the fans who want bragging rights that last well beyond forty minutes.

This one sets up as a half court battle, the kind of game where every possession feels negotiated. Head coaches will have a decisive impact here, with small tweaks and subtle adjustments swinging momentum. One coverage change, one lineup decision, one timeout at the right moment can decide it.

The talent level is high across the board, but the guard position jumps off the page. Both teams are deep there, and the matchup between Weiler Babb and Talen Horton Tucker is the kind of duel that can define the night. Different profiles, same responsibility, control the game.

This is one of those games you circle without thinking twice. A true can’t miss.

Olympiacos vs FC Barcelona

This matchup almost sells itself. Olympiacos versus FC Barcelona is always appointment viewing, and this one comes with real weight attached. The teams are separated by just one win in the standings, and home court advantage in the Play Offs is very much in play.

On paper, this looks like an offensive showcase. Both teams are very good on that end of the floor, loaded with creators and shot makers who can tilt a game in a hurry. That said, don’t expect a track meet without resistance. Defense is going to be crucial here, and whichever team executes better on that end is likely to decide the outcome.

This is also a coaches’ game. Xavi Pascual and Giorgios Bartzokas are not coming in empty handed. Both will have a few tricks up their sleeve, adjustments layered within adjustments, probing for small edges that can swing a tight contest.

When the stakes are this clear and the margins this thin, skipping this one is not an option.

Asvel vs Panathinaikos

The last time these two teams met at OAKA, Panathinaikos won only by six points. That night, PAO had every player available and Kendrick Nunn went off for 26, doing much of the heavy lifting in a game that never fully felt under control.

Fast forward to now and the context is very different. Panathinaikos might not have Nunn available, and suddenly this trip to Lyon carries a different kind of pressure. A win here will not be considered a great achievement, but a loss could do real damage to a team that has been unable to find consistency over the last month.

That is what makes this game uncomfortable for PAO. The margin for error is thin, the reward is limited, and the risk is obvious. For a team searching for stability, this is the kind of night where you either quietly take care of business or let the doubts grow louder.

 

What’s at Stake:

EA7 Milano is in a rough stretch, and the numbers are loud. Three straight losses have pushed the Italians three wins away from the Play In spots, a dangerous place to be in a league where the margins are already thin. The slide is not subtle and it starts on the defensive end.

Over this stretch, Milano’s defense has been abysmal. A 144.1 defensive rating is not just bad, it is almost 20 points per 100 possessions worse than the worst season average in the league, the 125.3 posted by Maccabi. That kind of drop off changes everything. It turns solid offensive nights into uphill battles and close games into losses that feel inevitable by the fourth quarter.

Milano can score, that part is not in question. But offense alone is not enough to stop the bleeding. If the defensive level does not rise quickly, even a good offense will not be enough to get them back into the win column, let alone pull them back into the Play In picture. The clock is ticking, and the fix has to start on the other side of the ball.

 

Biggest News Around EuroLeague

Olympiacos just added Cory Joseph, and it’s exactly the type of move that addresses a glaring need. The Canadian guard brings steady ball-handling and scoring, the kind of presence that becomes noticeable the moment the ball moves through him.

This is particularly timely given Monte Morris’ injury. Olympiacos has struggled with live-ball turnovers, and that has cost them more than a few games this season. Joseph’s ability to manage the game, protect the ball, and create scoring opportunities should help plug that leak. It’s not a flashy headline signing, but in a league where details like turnover rate can define a season, this is the kind of addition that could quietly make a huge difference.

 

This article was written by the European Hoops team: Tiago Cordeiro, João Caeiro and André Lemos. Make sure you give us a follow on Twitter at @EthosEuroleague!

The Games of week 16:

Fenerbahçe vs Valencia

Fenerbahçe and Valencia delivered exactly what this matchup promised and then some. This was EuroLeague basketball with all the volume turned up. High level execution, constant tactical adjustments, technical fouls, momentum swings, and a finish that demanded your full attention.

The opening minutes were played at Valencia’s preferred speed. The Toranja attacked early and often through pick and roll, and it did not really matter what coverage Fenerbahçe showed. Switch, hedge, show, recover. Valencia moved the ball, forced rotations, and found space. Jaime Pradilla was the main beneficiary, knocking down three triples in the first quarter by simply being ready when the defense cracked.

Fenerbahçe had answers of their own. Talen Horton Tucker immediately put pressure on the rim, attacking Taylor with force and patience. More importantly, Sarunas Jasikevicius had his bigs manipulating Valencia’s defensive rules. Screens flipped at the last second, double ball screens stacked together, defenders arriving a half step late and paying for it. The offenses were humming until Saras stopped the game with just over five minutes left in the quarter and Valencia up 18 to 16.

That timeout flipped everything. Fenerbahçe came out with force, ripped off a 9 to 0 run, and never let Valencia get comfortable again. Pedro Martinez called for time, but the run stretched to 12 before Nate Reuvers finally stopped the bleeding with an offensive rebound and putback. Even then, the damage was done. Fenerbahçe closed the quarter up eight, fueled by five Valencia turnovers and a defense that suddenly tightened every passing lane.

Valencia opened the second quarter the way they hoped the entire game would go. Faster pace, more physicality, crashing the glass. A 10 to 2 start briefly swung the tone. Fenerbahçe barely blinked. The defending champions have been here too many times. A 12 to 3 response pushed the lead to 12 and forced Martinez to burn his second timeout of the half. Valencia stabilized after that, but Fenerbahçe’s defense was dictating terms. Just 14 points in the quarter, 2 of 10 from three, and a 45 to 34 deficit at halftime.

The pattern repeated after the break. Valencia struck first again, scoring seven of the first ten points of the third quarter. Fenerbahçe answered again, this time with a 5 to 0 run built entirely on stops. Nothing came easy. Frustration started to creep into Valencia’s body language. Still, this team never goes quietly. Martinez turned to Sergio de Larrea and Josep Puerto, and they changed the game. Back to back threes cut the lead to five with three minutes left, forcing Jasikevicius to step in and kill the momentum.

Fenerbahçe did just enough from there. The margin hovered around five until a violent poster dunk late in the quarter sent the building into a frenzy and set the score at 66 to 58 heading into the fourth.

Nicolo Melli wasted no time reminding everyone why he owns the title of King of Winning Plays. A massive block, then a basket on the other end, and suddenly the lead was 10 again. Valencia responded instantly, slicing it back to five in seconds. This is where Fenerbahçe showed real maturity. They slowed the game down, leaned into late clock execution, and scored when it mattered. Two Brandon Boston Jr. free throws restored a double digit cushion.

Valencia had one last surge. They hunted Nando De Colo, found points, and a Jean Montero three brought it back to five inside two minutes. De Colo answered with a layup. Montero hit another three. Devon Hall grabbed a huge offensive rebound, and Melli buried what looked like the dagger from deep.

But Montero was not done. A quick mid range pull up, then a Reuvers steal and layup, and suddenly Valencia was one shot away. Montero stripped De Colo and rose for a potential game tying three, only for Wade Baldwin IV to appear out of nowhere and erase it. Valencia still got a clean look on the baseline out of bounds, a Nate Reuvers corner three, but it would not fall. Tarik Biberovic iced it at the line, and a Taylor layup set the final at 82 to 79.

In a game played well below Valencia’s usual scoring standards, Fenerbahçe’s depth told the story. Six players in double figures, including Nando De Colo with 16 points in his first game back in yellow and blue. Valencia had only four players reach double digits, five scoreless, and Darius Thompson limited to a single free throw. An unusual sight for this Valencia team, and a reminder that against elite defense, nothing is guaranteed.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Real Madrid walked into the clásico with a clear physical edge, size across almost every position and a defensive plan that never wavered. The priority was Kevin Punter. Madrid went over every screen involving him and were happy to switch the other four players in any pick and roll action. From the opening tip, the tone was set.

The game itself took time to warm up. The first five minutes produced a combined eight points, both teams feeling each other out. Madrid broke the ice by going inside, repeatedly finding Walter through high low actions, and their first six points all came from him. Abalde drew the Punter assignment and was excellent, staying attached, denying comfort, and forcing Barcelona to search for offense elsewhere.

That offense briefly arrived through Thoko Shengelia. Barcelona punished a few missed communications with well worked sets that freed Shengelia for back to back threes, wide open looks created by defensive switches that never got sorted. Madrid answered quickly. Lyles came in with five points of his own, returning the favor and keeping the balance.

Barcelona adjusted by going smaller and more mobile. Laprovittola, Cale and Brizuela shared the floor with two rolling bigs, and the offense finally found some rhythm. The ball moved, the paint opened up, and scoring became easier. Madrid still had the advantage inside, getting to the rim with more ease than Barcelona, but Laprovittola looked closer to his old self, orchestrating and probing.

Midway through the second quarter, Barcelona was down nine. A couple of offensive rebounds, second chance points, and some timely defensive plays cut the margin to five and forced Scariolo to call timeout. That was the moment. After the stoppage, Walter’s impact grew on both ends. Madrid pushed the pace, controlled the glass, and the lead ballooned back to double digits. At halftime, Barcelona had been passive defensively and never found a consistent way to involve Punter, largely due to Madrid’s discipline and pressure.

The third quarter opened with Barcelona’s best stretch of the night. A 7 to 0 run forced Madrid into mistakes, late shots, and stalled ball movement. Scariolo responded immediately, bringing in Feliz and Garuba. The response was decisive. Madrid pressed more, the offense flowed again, and the physical gap widened. Garuba did a bit of everything. He knocked down threes, moved without the ball, switched seamlessly on defense, and picked up ball handlers with purpose. The pace became overwhelming, and Barcelona could not keep up.

By the fourth quarter, the outcome felt inevitable. What had started as a chess match ended as a demonstration of depth, size, and physicality.

Garuba finished with 16 points, but this was a collective statement. Madrid contained Kevin Punter, and without him, Barcelona leaned almost entirely on Brizuela and Laprovittola. After the game, Coach Pascual pointed to the rebounding gap and Madrid’s physicality. On this night, that difference was decisive.

 

Key Performances of the Past Week:

Saliou Niang vs Dubai BC

It’s time to give flowers to one of Europe’s most intriguing young prospects. Against Dubai BC, 21 year old Saliou Niang delivered the kind of performance that quietly announces itself to anyone who values the connective tissue of basketball as much as the highlights. The box score alone already demands attention. Seventeen points, seventeen rebounds with seven of them on the offensive glass, three assists, two steals and a block. A full stat sheet, yes, but the real value was in how those numbers came together.

Niang, a long and rangy forward, played with his athleticism turned all the way up. Defensively, he was a problem. One on one he held his ground, sliding well and using his length to make shots uncomfortable. In rotations he was even better, showing timing and awareness, shrinking passing lanes and arriving just in time to contest without overcommitting. He looked like a player who understands where the next action is coming from.

Offensively, the impact came without the need for shooting. Niang is still a non shooter, but he consistently found ways to matter. His cutting was sharp and purposeful, his off ball movement creating pressure on the defense and opening space for others. As a roller in pick and roll, he made quick, clean decisions, catching on the move and either finishing or moving the ball without hesitation.

The loudest part of the night, though, was on the offensive glass. Seven offensive rebounds, each one a small act of defiance, turning dead possessions into life. Those extra chances were crucial for Virtus, especially on the road, and Niang was at the center of it. Again and again he beat his man to the ball, extended possessions, and tilted the game with effort and instinct.

This was a do it all performance, the kind that doesn’t just help you win one game but hints at a much bigger picture. For Virtus, it was a key piece in an impressive road win. For Niang, it felt like a reminder that development is not always linear or flashy. Sometimes it looks like this. Length, energy, feel, and a young player figuring out how to bend a game without forcing it.

Usman Garuba vs Barcelona

Usman Garuba was one of the quiet drivers behind Real Madrid’s win against their biggest rival, even if the box score only hints at the full story. His energy was the kind that seeps into every possession and slowly overwhelms the opponent. Barcelona felt it from the moment he checked in.

Garuba did not just survive on offense, he delivered. He shot perfectly from the outside, knocking down two huge corner threes that punished Barcelona for loading up elsewhere. Those shots mattered, not only on the scoreboard but in how they stretched the floor and forced defensive decisions Barcelona did not want to make.

Defensively, he was everywhere. Garuba defended Barcelona’s ball handlers with discipline, switching, containing, and using his strength and mobility to take away comfort. He ran the floor relentlessly, turning defense into instant pressure the other way, and that pace was something Barcelona simply could not match for long stretches.

Sixteen points will not jump off the page in isolation, but that number undersells his night. Garuba’s impact lived in the margins, in the energy plays, in the defensive stops, in the way he accelerated the game on Madrid’s terms. Against a rival, in a game that demanded physicality and intensity, he delivered exactly that, and then some.

 

Standings Watch:

Panathinaikos have hit a rough patch at the worst possible time. Three defeats in the last four games have pushed the Greens down into the Play In spots after spending a long stretch of the season sitting comfortably in second place. In a league this tight, that kind of slide does not just cost you wins, it reshapes the entire outlook.

Things in Athens are clearly not in the best place right now. Injuries have not been kind, rotations have been disrupted, and the margin for error has evaporated. Every possession starts to feel heavier when the standings compress like this.

Home court advantage in the Playoffs matters, maybe more than ever in a season where separation is minimal and road wins are precious. If this skid lingers, what once looked like a given could turn into a mirage only. Panathinaikos still control parts of their destiny, but the cushion is gone, and the urgency is real.

 

Week 17 Games to Watch:

Real Madrid vs Monaco

Real Madrid and Monaco cross paths once again, this time in the Spanish capital, and this is the kind of matchup that rarely needs selling. These two teams always seem to bring out the best and the most complicated versions of each other.

They come into the week separated by just one win, with the Monegasques holding the edge in the standings. That small gap adds weight to every possession, every substitution, every late game decision. The talent level is off the charts on both sides, not only on the floor but also on the benches, where in game adjustments can quietly swing the night.

This is the type of game where details matter more than highlights, where one read or one defensive tweak can tilt the balance. A can’t miss game for sure.

Valencia vs Paris

These are not the flashiest clubs in the competition, and that is exactly why this game deserves attention. For anyone who craves pace, this is a must watch. Both teams sit at the top of the league pace wise, so expect a high scoring night with a healthy dose of anarchy on display.

The contrast in the standings is sharp. Paris come in sitting 17th, while Valencia are firmly planted in fourth. That gap is not accidental. Evan Fournier once called Valencia an upgraded version of Paris, and this matchup quietly explains why. Valencia combine that same speed with one of the best defenses in the league, and that puts players like Hifi in a very tough spot. On the other side, Paris defense has been low key bad, and against a team that plays this fast but also this organized, those cracks tend to show.

If the game turns into a track meet, Valencia are comfortable there. If it slows just a bit, their defense still gives them the edge. Expect Valencia to take this one.

 

What’s at Stake:

Every season has its list of underwhelming storylines, and this one starts in Belgrade with Devonte Graham. Expectations were not small, his own included, and right now he is not meeting them. The easy explanation is fit. Crvena Zvezda have a crowded backcourt and a clear hierarchy, but that argument cuts both ways. Graham is backing up players like Cody Miller, Nwora and Butler who are performing and absorbing the pressure. In theory, that should simplify his job. Come in, space the floor, hit shots. That part has not happened. There have been DNPs. There have been long stretches without a point. Adaptation time is real, but the clock is ticking and Red Star need a spark. Graham is supposed to be that guy. If it does not click soon, other options outside of Belgrade start to feel less hypothetical.

On the other side of the spectrum, Joel Bolomboy’s return quietly shifts the math. He made his comeback last Saturday in ABA League action after a ten month absence, logging nine minutes with four rebounds and a block. The numbers do not jump off the page, but the context matters. For Crvena Zvezda, his presence alone is significant. Bolomboy will need time to reach his top form, but he immediately gives coach Obradovic another reliable EuroLeague level center alongside Motiejunas and rookie Ibuka Izundu. That extra body changes lineup possibilities and strengthens the rotation at a moment when margins are thin. As the season moves into its decisive stretch, that kind of depth can be the difference between hanging onto a Play Off push and watching it slip away.

 

Biggest News Around EuroLeague

Injuries and roster tweaks are reshaping the landscape this week. Nigel Williams-Goss suffered a calf strain in Round 21 and is expected to miss the next two to three weeks, a tough blow for his team as they navigate the midseason grind. On the addition side, Bruno Caboclo joined Dubai from Hapoel on January 15, though he hasn’t yet been registered and it remains to be seen how quickly he can impact the rotation. And for teams looking for a boost, Dzanan Musa returned to action in the ABA League this past weekend after being sidelined since Round 3 with a knee injury. His comeback adds a familiar scoring option and depth for his squad just as the season enters its critical stretch.

 

This article was written by the European Hoops team: Tiago Cordeiro, João Caeiro and André Lemos. Make sure you give us a follow on Twitter at @EthosEuroleague!

The Games of week 15:

Panathinaikos vs EA7 Milano

Panathinaikos came back to OAKA carrying the emotional weight of the derby loss, and the idea was simple. Reset, reassert, move on. Milano arrived with a different agenda altogether. They were already up 1 0 in the season series and, despite missing Shavon Shields and Leandro Bolmaro, clearly believed this was a game they could control.

Giuseppe Poeta leaned into size right away, starting Ricci, Leday and Booker, while Ergin Ataman countered by putting Grant back in the starting five and tasking him with the Armoni Brooks assignment. Panathinaikos looked more versatile offensively than in recent outings, running cleaner sets and spreading responsibility. Milano, meanwhile, went hunting inside, especially after switches, trying to punish with Booker and Leday. It stayed tight, physical and messy in the right ways, with offensive rebounds everywhere. Seven of them in the quarter alone. Panathinaikos edged it 20 15, but nothing felt settled.

The second quarter was defined by momentum swings and whistles for time outs. Panathinaikos opened with a 5 0 run, Poeta stopped it. Milano answered with their own 5 0 burst in just 37 seconds, and now it was Ataman calling everyone over. This pattern repeated. Panathinaikos found mismatches in pick and roll, punished late rotations and briefly pushed the lead to double digits. Milano responded again, closing the half with another run to keep it at five. The game never breathed. It just jolted. Turnovers piled up, 17 combined in the half, and neither side ever fully grabbed control.

Milano came out of the locker room sharp and decisive. Seven unanswered points forced an early Ataman time out, and while an excellent ATO produced a Cedi Osman three, that shot represented three of the five Panathinaikos points over a six minute stretch. The Milano defense had shifted gears. More active, fewer mistakes, better discipline. The game tilted only when Ataman leaned into Yurtseven, whose impact as a roller sparked a 6 0 run and briefly flipped the lead again. Milano absorbed it. Lorenzo Brown took over the quarter, scoring eight and handing out four assists, and by the time the horn sounded the Italians were back in front 61 58.

The fourth quarter followed the same script, only louder. Milano opened with a 5 0 run fueled by defense and two Panathinaikos turnovers in the first minute. This is where experience matters, and Kostas Sloukas reminded everyone why. He authored a personal run, dragged the deficit down to three and forced Poeta into another huddle. Milano adjusted by leaning hard into Mannion and Nebo, a pairing that gave Panathinaikos real problems. Mannion made plays on both ends, including drawing two straight offensive fouls, while Nebo kept finishing.

Panathinaikos struggled badly in the half court. Turnovers, missed shots, no clean answers. Even the idea of isolating Ricci went nowhere, as he held up just fine. Then came the decisive stretch. Armoni Brooks hit back to back threes, the lead ballooned into double digits with just over two minutes left, and the air left the building. Sloukas found a lane for a layup out of the final time out, but Lorenzo Brown delivered the dagger, a three right in front of Ataman, effectively ending the game. The numbers told the story. Seven turnovers and five made field goals for Panathinaikos in the quarter. One turnover and six of twelve from deep for Milano. Final score 87 74, season sweep complete.

Juancho Hernangomez answered his critics the best way possible, leading Panathinaikos with 17 points and seven rebounds. Sloukas added a steady 13 and 10 assists. Kendrick Nunn had an off night, limited to 10 points with five turnovers. For Milano, Armoni Brooks was the engine again with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists. Lorenzo Brown chipped in 17 and five assists in what felt like a quiet revenge game, and Josh Nebo added 16 and seven.

Milano did not win this game with flash. They won it with control, adjustments and discipline, especially when it mattered most.

Crvena Zvezda vs Valencia

Belgrade delivered exactly what this matchup promised: fast, physical, and high-octane from the opening tip. Valencia arrived in full control of their identity: full-court pressure, relentless ball pressure, and a tempo that forced Crvena Zvezda’s guards into mistakes. Early on, Motiejunas provided a calming presence, scoring four quick points and bullying Neal Sako inside. But when Valencia started punishing the Serbians in pick-and-rolls, Obradovic went small, slotting Semi Ojeleye at the five and switching everything. Against a team like Valencia, that’s a dangerous experiment. Jean Montero went on a 5-0 personal run, the lead ballooned to ten, and a time-out barely slowed the onslaught. Zvezda closed the first quarter in the red, 34-20.

The second quarter gave a glimmer of hope for the home team. Zvezda scored the first four points, but Valencia’s intensity never wavered. Even as baskets fell for the Serbians, the visitors continued to press, force turnovers, and attack in transition. After the media time-out, Montero wreaked havoc again, and a 9-2 Valencia run pushed the lead to 17, forcing Obradovic into another time-out. Valencia ended the half in command at 54-37, capitalizing on five Zvezda turnovers in the quarter alone.

The third quarter started with Zvezda on a mission. They scored the first 13 points and held Valencia scoreless for over two minutes. Badio finally ended the drought from deep, sparking a 9-0 run that brought the lead back into double digits. Zvezda countered with a 6-0 burst of their own, largely thanks to Chima Moneke and Jordan Nwora, who combined for 23 of the team’s 27 third-quarter points. But Valencia landed the final punch, scoring the last nine points of the frame to keep the lead steady in double digits. Notably, Valencia committed as many turnovers in this quarter (4) as they had in the entire first half, a sign of the pressure Zvezda finally applied.

The fourth quarter began slow, with only three points scored in the first two minutes. But Valencia quickly regained rhythm, opening on a 9-3 run to extend the lead to 19 and force another Zvezda time-out. After that, the Red and White found some baskets, but Valencia’s in-sync offense controlled the pace, trading points efficiently and never letting the deficit shrink. The final score: 106-89 in favor of the visitors.

Crvena Zvezda’s 13 turnovers, eight of which led to Valencia steals and fast-break points, ultimately defined the game. Four Zvezda players scored in double digits, with Nwora leading the way at 22. Motiejunas, despite a strong start, played only five minutes. Valencia’s balance was stark: five players in double figures, with Jean Montero leading all scorers at 25 points and adding four steals, a perfect microcosm of why Valencia’s system thrives: pressure, pace, and unselfish, opportunistic offense.

This was a game where preparation met identity. Valencia executed theirs to near perfection; Zvezda struggled to adapt. In a league this tight, details like turnovers and pace can’t be ignored, and tonight they weren’t.

Fenerbahce vs Olympiacos

In a matchup that felt like a chess game at times, Fenerbahce used versatility, size, and intensity to grind down Olympiacos. Without Milutinov on the floor, Hall stepped up inside, scoring nine points in the first half, but the real story was Fenerbahce’s defensive approach. They switched everything, stayed just on the right side of the foul limit, and forced Olympiacos into uncomfortable positions. The Greek side struggled to find rhythm, particularly from deep, shooting just 11 percent in the first half, while Fener’s first three-pointer didn’t come until Melli hit a tough step-back that salvaged a possession and sent the Turkish arena into a frenzy.

Fenerbahçe’s offensive identity early in the game was less about the three-point line and more about creating high-quality opportunities through movement and spacing. THT led the charge, scoring in multiple ways and finishing the first half in double digits despite his team’s cold start from deep, going 0-for-13. Olympiacos’ second unit allowed Fenerbahçe to cut the deficit to just two possessions after trailing by almost double digits, highlighting the contrast in coaching philosophies. Coach Sarunas praised Olympiacos’ aggression and control, while Fenerbahçe’s coach emphasized the need to find pace to prevent stagnation against Olympiacos’ switches.

The third quarter was where Fener pulled away. They made six threes compared to Olympiacos’ one, exploiting defensive lapses and creating easier, rhythm-based shots. Olympiacos, meanwhile, became more isolation-heavy, a problem when their roster lacks creators like THT or Baldwin to consistently generate offense. By the end of the quarter, Fener had taken a slight lead heading into the fourth.

In the final ten minutes, Fenerbahçe pressed the gas. They attacked in transition after defensive stops, forcing Olympiacos to chase the game at a faster pace than they were prepared for. Brandon Boston made a difference, scoring, creating, and crashing the boards. To seal the game, Coach Sarunas ran an impressive set play from his playbook that led to an and-one on a Spanish-style pick-and-roll designed to engage the help-side defense. Boston’s energy and versatility turned what could have been a comfortable win into a statement about Fenerbahçe’s depth.

Baldwin orchestrated the offense like a seasoned veteran, finishing with seventeen points, eleven assists, and two steals. He has evolved into a two-way force, capable of carrying primary defensive assignments and creating efficiently on offense. Boston’s performance was equally eye-catching, though consistency remains the question mark. Sarunas’ touch as a coach also showed, subbing Boston out late to let the arena recognize his impact, a move that could pay dividends for the young player’s confidence.

Fenerbahce’s combination of defensive pressure, depth, and aggressive transition play was the defining factor. Olympiacos had to fight for every point, but the Turkish team’s size and rotation allowed them to maintain the intensity for forty minutes, a luxury few teams can match in Europe.

Monaco vs Valencia

This one had all the ingredients of a classic European battle. Monaco came in with four straight wins, Valencia with three, and both teams had rhythm, depth, and star power on the floor. From the opening tip, the game was a test of patience, pace, and execution.

Valencia pressed full court, switching aggressively on every pick and roll, with Darius Thompson glued to Okobo. Monaco, anticipating the pressure, tried to get back quickly after each basket, but early on the Spanish spacing overwhelmed them. Thompson scored seven of Valencia’s first nine points, mostly in transition, with one half-court three breaking the pattern. Monaco struggled with ball control and turnovers, and Valencia capitalized, racing out to an 11-0 run.

Spanoulis called a timeout, urging Monaco to push the pace, and the adjustments worked. Mirotic knocked down back-to-back threes to cut the deficit to six, and Monaco started to exploit pick-and-roll advantages, particularly through Hayes in the short roll. Valencia, meanwhile, shot poorly from deep early, only hitting three of nine in the first quarter.

The middle quarters turned messy. Both teams rushed shots, but Valencia’s turnovers piled up while Monaco took advantage with better defenders on the court and small-ball lineups that allowed them to control the tempo. Monaco built a double-digit lead, though Valencia never truly surrendered. They clawed back with size and intensity, trying to counter Monaco’s aggression, and at the end of the third quarter, Monaco still led, but Valencia’s resilience kept the scoreboard close enough to suggest a fight.

The fourth quarter, however, belonged to Nemanja Nedović. Trailing by six, he went on a scoring clinic, hitting consecutive threes to push the lead to nine, then a layup to make it eleven, and another three immediately after. In a span of a few possessions, Nedović scored 11 straight points, all while Valencia’s hopes for a comeback withered. His 11-2 run gave Monaco a 15-point cushion and effectively sealed the game with over seven minutes still to play.

From there, the final minutes were just clock management, intense but settled. Valencia had fought and pressured, but the second quarter’s chaos and Monaco’s early intensity had done the damage. Nedović’s fourth-quarter explosion ensured the Monegasques left with the win, turning what was a competitive game into a decisive statement.

Valencia’s turnovers were the story of the night, especially in crunch moments, while Monaco’s ability to capitalize and control the pace turned the tide. It was a perfect example of how effort, adjustment, and star execution, in this case Nedović, can tip a tight game in EuroLeague.

 

Key Performances of the Past Week:

Andreas Obst reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dangerous scorers in Europe. Bayern had been sliding, but Obst’s 37-point explosion versus Baskonia snapped them right out of it. Seven of eleven from deep, relentless movement, and the kind of scoring versatility that makes defenses chase shadows, this was the kind of game where Obst just reminds you he’s often too good for the EuroLeague.

Jean Montero gets an honorable mention for a performance equally electric in its context. The Dominican guard torched Crvena Zvezda for 25 points in only 20 minutes, missing a single shot inside the arc and hitting three of eight from deep. Timing was everything. He opened with a solo 5-0 run to put Valencia in double digits and then repeatedly stifled every run Crvena Zvezda tried to mount. Defensively, Montero was a certified bandit, picking pockets and snatching passes out of the air, finishing with four steals. In those 20 minutes, he controlled the rhythm on both ends of the floor.

And then there’s Nemanja Nedović, who reminded everyone of his T-Mac-like flare. Eleven straight points to extinguish Valencia’s hopes, finishing with 16 efficient points, three assists, and three steals. The scoring burst wasn’t just about numbers, it was about timing and intimidation, showing EuroLeague fans exactly how dangerous Nedović can be when he’s in that zone.

 

Standings Watch:

Crvena Zvezda’s last ten games read like a cautionary tale: three wins, seven losses, and a slide into dangerous territory. The Serbians are now perched on the final Play-In spot, tied with Milano, who for the moment are staring from the outside in. The big question is whether Zvezda can halt this skid or if they’ll continue sliding down the table. Every possession counts for the Red and Whites in the stretch run.

Below the playoff line, little has changed. The struggling teams remain mired at the bottom, and barring a sudden surge, their climb looks long and uncertain. Up top, the pecking order is holding: Hapoel sits at the summit, Valencia, Barça, and Monaco close behind, and with Hapoel having a game in hand versus Asvel on March 3, the top of the table could tighten even further. The middle and top of the EuroLeague are still moving steadily, while the fight to avoid the bottom looks like a marathon more than a sprint.

 

Week 16 Games to Watch:

EA7 Milano vs Crvena Zvezda

Two teams tied in the standings, but sitting on different sides of the Play-In line. That alone changes the stakes. Milano comes in with momentum, winners of their last two games including an impressive road performance against Panathinaikos. Crvena Zvezda, meanwhile, has won just three of their last ten and dropped the last two, so the pressure is palpable.

These teams are almost textbook contrasts. Milano leans on their offense, flowing through pick-and-rolls, spacing, and a mix of guards and wings who can create in a pinch. Zvezda is the other side of the spectrum: defense first, tough on the ball, willing to gamble and make every possession uncomfortable. The real intrigue will be whether Milano can crack that defense or if Zvezda’s stops dictate the rhythm.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid

The Spanish classic lands in Madrid, with Barça sitting fourth in the table and Real in sixth. Every possession here is about pride, league positioning, and revenge from past clashes. Last EuroLeague matchup, Madrid won thanks in part to Lyles’ huge night. On the domestic front, Pascual’s Barcelona already found a win, which sets up a balance of power heading into this one.

Barça is still waiting for Clyburn’s return, and that absence could be decisive, especially against Madrid’s size and versatility. Expect a tight, chess-like game with adjustments on every possession. These aren’t teams content to run and gun; every mismatch will be probed, every rotation tested.

Fenerbahçe vs Valencia

After El Clásico, this is the matchup that could define the round: two top-four teams, one winner, one loser. Both play elite defense: top-five in the league, but the contrast in style couldn’t be sharper. Valencia thrives in transition, supersonic in pace and ball movement, while Fenerbahçe prefers to slow it down, grind possessions, and let their defense dictate the flow.

Coaching will be key here. Every adjustment, every matchup tweak, every small decision could swing the game. If Valencia can push the tempo against a team that wants to control the clock, they might force cracks. If Fener can control pace and impose their defensive will, Valencia’s speed advantage may never matter. This is the kind of game where small edges compound into a huge result.

 

What’s at Stake:

For Fenerbahçe, the Bonzie Colson injury is more than a bump in the road. The Notre Dame alum is out three to six weeks with a patellar tendon strain, and that absence limits Sarunas Jasikevicius’ rotation flexibility. Colson isn’t just a three who can punish smaller defenders, he’s a small-ball four who stretches the floor, sets screens, and gives the team a different dimension. Now Biberovic is the only player who can fill that role, and it’s a completely different profile. Fenerbahçe can survive, but the absence could cost them home-court advantage in the Playoffs, or in a worst-case scenario, tilt a tight series the wrong way.

Meanwhile, over in Athens, Ergin Ataman was being Ataman. He put his job on the line publicly: if Panathinaikos doesn’t win either the EuroLeague or the Greek League, he’s out. It’s classic Ataman, part bravado, part psychological edge, but it’s also a statement of faith in his roster. PAO has the budget, the talent, and the expectations, so the bar is set sky-high. The Greek League caveat? That’s just smart insurance. But make no mistake: he’s betting the big one on his team delivering when it matters most.

 

Biggest News Around EuroLeague

Monte Morris’ arrival in Europe was one of the more intriguing stories of the season, and he was just getting comfortable before running into bad luck. The American guard got injured against Bayern and faces up to four weeks on the sidelines, which is a huge blow for his team’s backcourt rhythm and offensive flow.

In other Greek news, Kostas Antetokounmpo has left Olympiacos, a move that, frankly, feels inevitable given his track record with Greek contenders and will join Aris, making his EuroCup debut. That’s a notable addition for Aris, giving them size, athleticism, and upside in a competition where every edge counts.

Finally, James Nunnally, a former Partizan player, is signing with AEK Athens for the remainder of the season. That’s another player with EuroLeague experience entering the Greek League, adding firepower and depth to a league that’s quickly becoming unmissable. Between these moves, the Greek domestic scene is shaping up to be a must-watch for anyone following European basketball.

 

This article was written by the European Hoops team: Tiago Cordeiro, João Caeiro and André Lemos. Make sure you give us a follow on Twitter at @EthosEuroleague!