Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens opened its EuroLeague playoff series with a 68-67 road win over Valencia Basket on Tuesday, April 28, at Roig Arena.
The matchup between two high-powered offenses turned into a half-court contest, with both teams struggling to find rhythm and relying on defensive execution.
Valencia, which averaged over 90 points during the regular season, was held to 67 points and shot just 6-of-33 from three-point range.
The Spanish side also endured long scoring droughts early, managing only 15 points in the first quarter after missing nine of its first 11 attempts.
Panathinaikos built its early edge behind Kendrick Nunn, who scored 14 points in the opening quarter and finished with a team-high 21.
The Greek side carried a 39-32 lead into halftime despite modest offensive efficiency, as both teams combined for just 71 points in the first half.
Valencia adjusted after the break by attacking inside, converting 20-of-33 two-point attempts and gradually cutting into the deficit.
Jean Montero led the hosts with 15 points, while Braxton Key added 12 on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting inside the arc.
The home team erased the deficit and tied the game at 67-67 with just over two minutes remaining, setting up a possession-by-possession finish.
TJ Shorts briefly gave Panathinaikos the lead with four straight points, but Valencia responded through Montero and Nate Reuvers to level the score again.
With 24 seconds left, Panathinaikos isolated Nunn on the final possession, trusting its primary scorer to create in a tight game.
Nunn drove into the lane and drew a foul, splitting a pair of free throws to give the visitors a 68-67 lead with 2.1 seconds remaining.
Valencia had one final chance, but defensive pressure from Cedi Osman and Nigel Hayes-Davis forced a turnover on the inbound sequence.
That stop sealed the result, highlighting Panathinaikos’ defensive discipline in late-game situations.
Mathias Lessort anchored the interior with 12 points and seven rebounds, providing physicality on both ends.
The Greek side finished with 10 steals and forced 12 turnovers, key factors in a game where offensive efficiency was limited.
Valencia shot 60.6 percent inside the arc but could not compensate for its perimeter struggles, a critical gap in a one-point loss.
Panathinaikos now holds a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series and has stolen home-court advantage heading into Game 2.
