Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv handed Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens its first EuroLeague defeat of the 2026-27 season, winning 91-81 on the road Friday after recovering from a fourth-quarter collapse to secure its fourth victory in six games.
Zach LeDay led Hapoel with 17 points, while Elijah Bryant scored 14, including 12 in the second half. Dan Oturu added 13 points as Dimitris Itoudis’ team improved to 4-2, with all four wins coming during the two double-game weeks.
Panathinaikos entered the matchup undefeated at 5-0 after winning its first five games by an average of 20 points. However, Hapoel matched the hosts throughout the first half before gradually building an advantage after the break.
Oturu scored 10 points early as the visitors took a 22-15 lead, and Hapoel finished the opening quarter ahead 29-25. The teams exchanged leads in the second period, with the visitors carrying a narrow 48-46 advantage into halftime.
Hapoel increased its lead to six points early in the third quarter, but Panathinaikos repeatedly threatened to take control. Bryant answered each push, and his back-to-back baskets helped the visitors establish a 68-59 cushion before the final quarter.
LeDay opened the fourth with a three-pointer to put Hapoel up 10. Panathinaikos then held the visitors scoreless for approximately five minutes, producing an 11-0 run to take a 72-71 lead and put its winning streak within reach.
Hapoel responded under pressure. Bryant and Vasilije Micic both connected from beyond the arc in the closing stages, helping the visitors regain control and complete the 10-point victory.
Micic finished with nine points and eight assists, while Bryant added six rebounds and three assists. Hapoel shot 45% from three-point range, making nine of 20 attempts, and recorded 22 assists.
Sylvain Francisco led Panathinaikos with 22 points and four assists. Nigel Hayes-Davis was limited to eight points and finished with a minus-six performance index rating (PIR), while the hosts made just five of 21 three-point attempts.
The result left Panathinaikos at 5-1 and Hapoel at 4-2. Hapoel will host Virtus Bologna next Wednesday, while Panathinaikos welcomes Baskonia on Thursday.
