Hapoel Ends Panathinaikos' Unbeaten Run (81-91)

EuroLeague's last undefeated team fell at home. Panathinaikos AKTOR, which had won its first five games, lost 81-91 to Hapoel Tel Aviv at the Telekom Center. It was a game the Israeli team controlled from start to finish, though it got complicated with a run against them early in the fourth quarter before clinching the win with better execution in the final three minutes.

box score

Hapoel Dominates in the Paint

Hapoel came out with a clear game plan: attack the paint. Dan Oturu scored ten points in the first quarter, mostly off passes from Micic, and the visitors' lead reached eight points (21-29). For the first time this season, Panathinaikos finished a first quarter trailing on the scoreboard (25-29).

Željko Obradović protested and tightened his team's defense, and his squad responded with an 8-0 run to tie it at 29. From there, Sylvain Francisco, Kendrick Badio and Mathias Lessort kept the Greeks close until halftime (46-48), but Hapoel reasserted itself in the third quarter. Offensive rebounds, fouls drawn and easy free throws gave them a 61-71 lead heading into the final period. Francisco, who reached 20 points in three quarters, was practically the only offensive engine for the home team.

Juancho and Grant, the 11-0 Run That Wasn't Enough

Panathinaikos had its moment. Juancho Hernangómez and Jerian Grant led an 11-0 run that flipped the scoreboard. A three-pointer from Grant made it 70-71 at the 34-minute mark, and another basket from him put the Greeks ahead (72-71). The game turned into a back-and-forth exchange. Badio tied it at 76 from the free throw line after Francisco took a blow to the eye.

Oturu answered with a 2+1 (76-79) before fouling out with just over three minutes remaining. His departure changed nothing. Lessort cut it close (78-79), but a three-pointer from Bryant and a basket from Leday opened a six-point gap (78-84) at the 38-minute mark. Micic, cold in the decisive moments, sealed the Israeli victory.

Also Read:

• Panathinaikos-Fenerbahçe 92-74: EuroLeague recap
• Valencia Basket Stays Unbeaten Against Hapoel, Leads with 4-0 Record in EuroLeague (93-82)
• EuroLeague Matchday 4 Recap: Valencia Keeps Pace with Panathinaikos

Leaders With Injuries

Panathinaikos played without Kostas Sloukas and Kendrick Nunn, who could return next matchday, and Bonga and Rogkavopoulos were also unavailable. Additionally, Kostas Mitoglou left in the third quarter after a collision with Leday, though it doesn't appear serious at first glance. Obradović's team remains in first place with a 5-1 record. Hapoel, meanwhile, improves to 4-2 and joins the group chasing the leaders.