Panathinaikos took a major step toward returning to the EuroLeague Final Four by defeating Anadolu Efes 81-77 in Game 3 of their quarterfinal series in Istanbul on Tuesday night.
The reigning champions now lead the best-of-five series 2-1 and can clinch a spot in the 2025 Final Four in Abu Dhabi with a road win in Game 4.
Reigning MVP Kendrick Nunn delivered a statement performance, scoring 25 points including 19 in the second half to lead Panathinaikos to the crucial road victory.
Konstantinos Mitoglou added 18 points and 6 rebounds, hitting a go-ahead three-pointer late in the fourth quarter to silence the Sinan Erdem Dome.
Kostas Sloukas contributed 10 points and was instrumental during the second-quarter surge that saw the Greens overturn an early deficit.
Panathinaikos outrebounded Efes 35-26, pulled down 15 offensive boards, and remained flawless at the free-throw line by converting all 16 attempts.
The hosts were led by Shane Larkin’s 17 points, while Dan Oturu and Elijah Bryant combined for 27 points, but Anadolu Efes failed to contain Nunn in the second half.
Efes opened the game strong, taking a 23-20 lead after the first quarter behind early scoring from Ercan Osmani, who finished with 10 points—all in the first period.
The second quarter shifted momentum in favor of Panathinaikos as Mitoglou and Sloukas powered a 17-6 run to give the visitors a 37-31 advantage.
Nunn, tightly guarded early, beat the halftime buzzer with an acrobatic layup to send Panathinaikos into the break up 45-39.
The former NBA guard came out firing in the third, scoring his team’s first six points and extending the lead to double digits.
A triple by Mitoglou followed by another Nunn layup pushed the advantage to 63-50 late in the third quarter, putting Efes on the back foot.
However, the Turkish side fought back with a 14-2 run, tying the contest at 72-72 after a Larkin floater with just over two minutes to play.
Mitoglou then nailed a spot-up three to reclaim the lead for the Greens, and Nunn closed the game at the foul line with a pair of free throws to secure the result.
