EuroLeague Play-In Showdown Begins: Panathinaikos-Monaco and Barcelona-Red Star Belgrade in Win-or-Go-Home Clashes

The EuroLeague 2025-26 enters its most intense phase with the start of the Play-In Showdown, a round offering teams ranked seventh through tenth a final path to the playoffs. On Tuesday, Athens and Barcelona host two decisive games with everything on the line.

Panathinaikos hosts Monaco with a big prize at stake

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens will face AS Monaco (20:00 CEST) in a matchup where the winner advances directly to the playoff series against Valencia Basket, while the loser gets a second chance on Friday.

The game features top-tier talent, starting with the backcourt duel between the competition's two most recent MVPs: Kendrick Nunn versus Mike James. Additionally, Panathinaikos boasts the experience of Kostas Sloukas and the speed of TJ Shorts, while Monaco arrives riding momentum from three consecutive victories, powered by the strong form of Elie Okobo and Matthew Strazel, both crucial to their recent run.

In the paint, the Greek squad will look to impose physicality with Mathias Lessort, Kenneth Faried, and Juancho Hernangómez, while Monaco will need solid contributions from Daniel Theis and Kevarrius Hayes.

Barcelona and Red Star Belgrade play for survival

At Palau Blaugrana (20:45 CEST), Barcelona and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade will dispute a win-or-go-home matchup: the winner advances to Friday's decisive game and the loser ends their European season.

One focal point will be playmaking. Tomas Satoransky, now healthy after missing two games, will be essential for the Blaugrana against Codi Miller-McIntyre, who is just one assist away from setting the single-season assist record in the competition.

On the scoring end, Barcelona will rely on Kevin Punter and Will Clyburn, who were decisive in the recent victory over Bayern. On the Serbian side, Jordan Nwora will be the offensive reference, averaging 17.1 points, with support from Jared Butler, who has been sharp from three-point range in recent games.

In the interior, Youssoupha Fall arrives in strong form after posting 14 points and 12 rebounds in the final regular season game, while Red Star expects another significant contribution from Ebuka Izundu. Additionally, the matchup between Toko Shengelia and Chima Moneke promises full intensity.

Everything wide open on a decisive night

The most recent precedent between Barcelona and Red Star was decided in overtime in favor of the Catalan side, which suggests another tight contest. In Athens, Panathinaikos and Monaco arrive with rosters full of talent and no room for error.

The fight for the final playoff spots begins with a night of maximum tension in the EuroLeague.