In a thrilling showdown at the Olympic Sports Hall, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens clinched their spot in the EuroLeague Final Four with a hard-fought 75-67 victory over Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Game 5 of their playoff series. The Greek powerhouse secured their victory in front of an electrified crowd of over 20,000 fans, marking a triumphant return to the EuroLeague's biggest stage.
Star center Mathias Lessort, sidelined since December due to a gruesome injury, expressed immense pride in his teammates following the victory. "I was just a fan," Lessort told BasketNews, emphasizing the collective effort of his team. He continued, "That’s their moment," directing all attention to his teammates who fought valiantly throughout the series.
Panathinaikos, the reigning European champions, showcased their dominance from the outset, leading by as many as 23 points early in the game. The team’s defense was instrumental, with the Greens imposing constant pressure that broke Anadolu Efes' rhythm and forced them into difficult shots. The victory secures Panathinaikos a ticket to the Final Four in Abu Dhabi, where they will defend the title they claimed last year in Berlin.
Cedi Osman was the standout player for Panathinaikos, scoring an impressive 28 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. His performance was pivotal, especially in the first half, where he scored 17 points, helping the team maintain a lead throughout the game. Osman expressed his pride in his teammates, stating, "This team is full of talent and is built for moments like this. We're back where we deserve to be, and now it's time to rest. See you in Abu Dhabi!"
Despite the early dominance, the game was not without its challenges. Anadolu Efes, determined to fight back, closed the gap significantly in the third quarter. The visitors managed to reduce the lead to just three points at one stage, thanks to their increased defensive pressure and some timely long-range shots. Elijah Bryant led the charge for Anadolu Efes, finishing the game with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Panathinaikos maintained their composure, however, with key contributions from Kendrick Nunn and Jerian Grant, who scored 12 and 11 points respectively. The duo provided crucial baskets that helped the Greens stave off the Efes comeback attempt. The final moments of the game saw Panathinaikos' defense rise to the occasion, contesting every possession and fighting for loose balls, which ultimately secured their victory.
Head coach Ergin Ataman praised his team's resilience, stating, "It feels good to win. Congratulations to Anadolu Efes Istanbul and its players; they showed great character and never gave up. All the series were tough. There is nothing easy in the playoffs." Ataman acknowledged the pressure of the series, especially against a former team, and noted the importance of his players stepping up in critical moments.
As the game progressed, Panathinaikos had to navigate through some offensive struggles, particularly with shooting percentages. They shot poorly from two-point range, making only 12 of 32 attempts (37.5%), and Kendrick Nunn had an unusual night, hitting only 2 of 11 from three-point range (18.2%). Despite these challenges, the team’s defensive intensity proved to be the deciding factor in their Game 5 win.
The key statistics from the match highlighted Panathinaikos' dominance on the boards, as they grabbed an impressive 18 offensive rebounds. This effort allowed them to maintain second-chance opportunities and keep the pressure on Anadolu Efes throughout the game.
With this victory, Panathinaikos not only secured their place in the Final Four but also sent a strong message to their upcoming opponents. They will face Fenerbahce in the semifinals, with the Final Four set to take place from May 23-25, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. The anticipation is already building as fans look forward to this exciting matchup between two of Turkey's top teams.
As the players and coaching staff prepare for the next challenge, they will be looking to build on this momentum. The journey to defend their EuroLeague title continues, and Panathinaikos is ready to make their mark once again on the European basketball stage.
