Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens overcame a challenging preseason and a depleted roster to open the 2026-27 EuroLeague season with a commanding 91-72 victory over Paris Basketball on Thursday.
With Kendrick Nunn, Nigel Hayes-Davis, Moustapha Fall and Kostas Sloukas unavailable, Zeljko Obradovic began his second stint as Panathinaikos head coach without several of the team’s most experienced players. However, the Greens found plenty of production elsewhere, led by their French contingent.
Mathias Lessort delivered an all-around performance in his return from two injury-interrupted seasons, finishing with 15 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals in just under 22 minutes. Guerschon Yabusele also made an immediate impact after returning to Europe from the NBA, scoring 13 points and grabbing five rebounds.
The biggest offensive contribution came from Sylvain Francisco, who stepped into Nunn’s scoring role with 18 points and four assists. The former Zalgiris Kaunas guard shot 6-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-7 from three-point range, while helping Panathinaikos control the game after falling behind early.
The hosts also dominated the rebounding battle 45-31, with Lessort and Yabusele providing a physical presence that helped Panathinaikos dictate the tempo.
Paris initially made life difficult for the home team, but Panathinaikos gradually took control. The Greens shot 54.1% on two-point attempts and 95.5% from the free-throw line while producing 16 assists as a team.
Paris received 17 points from Tyson Etienne and 11 apiece from Nadir Hifi and Jared Rhoden, but struggled to match Panathinaikos’ efficiency. The visitors shot 33.3% from three-point range and were held to 44.4% on two-point attempts.
Panathinaikos will look to make it two wins from two when it hosts LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne next Wednesday. Paris will return to action Tuesday against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.
