In a thrilling start to their EuroLeague Playoffs series, Panathinaikos Athens overcame a tough challenge from Anadolu Efes, clinching an 87-83 victory in Game 1. The defending champions showcased their championship pedigree when it mattered most, despite trailing 64-72 at the end of the third quarter.
Anadolu Efes appeared poised to pull off the upset, holding a significant lead and forcing Panathinaikos into mistakes. After a slow shooting start, Efes finished the first quarter 0-of-6 from deep. The team struggled throughout the game with their three-point shooting, finishing at a dismal 29% from beyond the arc.
Juancho Hernangomez emerged as the standout performer for Panathinaikos. The versatile big man posted career highs of 20 points and 16 rebounds, proving a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Hernangomez’s performance was crucial as his team clawed back into the game in the final quarter.
Despite the overall team effort, Hernangomez gave credit to his teammate Kendrick Nunn, the MVP of the 2024-25 season, for stepping up when needed most. Nunn fought through a tough shooting night, contributing 15 points and 5 assists. His crucial assist to Jerian Grant sealed the game, as Grant hit a clutch three-pointer to put Panathinaikos ahead by five with less than a minute remaining.
Defensively, Panathinaikos tightened up in the fourth quarter, stifling Efes’s offense and forcing key turnovers. The defensive intensity and depth were key to their success, particularly as Efes missed several critical shots in the final minutes.
Efes’s top scorer, Shane Larkin, led his team with 17 points, but the guard couldn’t overcome the late-game struggles of his teammates. Despite strong performances from Rodrigue Beaubois and others, the Turkish side failed to find their rhythm when it mattered most.
Game 1 of this playoff series was a classic display of resilience from Panathinaikos. With a balanced team effort and some timely clutch shooting, the Greeks proved why they are the defending champions. They’ll look to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series as the two teams prepare for Game 2 in Athens.
