With only three games remaining in the 2025-26 EuroLeague regular season, the playoff race enters its decisive phase. The upcoming matchday features several direct matchups that could begin to define the standings, with highly anticipated games like Olympiacos–Real Madrid, Barcelona–Panathinaikos, and Zalgiris–Dubai, plus key battles for the top four and play-in spots. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, every result will have a direct impact on the race toward the postseason.
Tuesday, April 7
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (18:00 CEST)
The week kicks off with a crucial matchup in Sofia, where Hapoel (21-13) hosts Fenerbahce (23-12), who are going through a difficult stretch. The home team approaches the clash with confidence after strengthening their bid to finish in the top four thanks to last week's comeback against Panathinaikos. In that game, point guard Chris Jones was instrumental, dishing out 8 assists without turnovers and scoring the final four points of the contest, and will look to lead his team from the backcourt once again.
Limiting Fenerbahce's ability to generate offense will be a priority, as the Turkish side arrives on a three-game losing streak, though they maintain the incentive of securing both a playoff spot and the head-to-head tiebreaker after their 74-68 home victory over Hapoel in November. That low-scoring win could serve as a reference point for this second matchup, though the Turkish team needs to improve their production near the rim after converting just 14 two-pointers in their visit to Bayern last week.
Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Dubai Basketball (19:00 CEST)
Two teams with major objectives face off in Kaunas. Zalgiris (21-14) continues fighting to finish in the top four and hosts Dubai (18-17), who are chasing a play-in spot.
The Lithuanian side is undefeated at home in 2025 (7-0) and arrives in high spirits after defeating Barcelona last week. Sylvain Francisco made his return in that game, scoring 14 points in the final quarter and once again demonstrating his ability to decide close contests down the stretch. Dubai, meanwhile, will try to match that offensive production with Dzanan Musa in fine form, who posted 25 points and 10 assists in last week's victory over Monaco.
Another important battle will take place in the paint, where Moses Wright (13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game) and Mfiondu Kabengele (14.6 points and 6.2 rebounds) have been among the competition's most productive big men all season and both arrive at the matchup in excellent form.
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Paris Basketball (20:00 CEST)
Zvezda (19-16) need to bounce back after two consecutive losses against an always-dangerous Paris (14-21). Sharpshooter Jared Butler will look to regain his touch after going 1 of 12 from three-point range in those two games, and perimeter efficiency will be key for the home side against a Paris team that attempts more three-pointers than any other squad in the competition (33.2 per game).
That high volume of outside shots is led by Nadir Hifi, who continues his bid for the Ford Trophy this season after averaging 20.8 points over the last four games. Paris, now under new head coach Julius Thomas, arrives strengthened after scoring 103 points on two occasions during last week's victories over Virtus and Milan. For Zvezda, it will be crucial that their big men, such as Jasiel Rivero, protect the defensive glass against the French team's constant pursuit of offensive rebounds.
Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Real Madrid (20:15 CEST)
One of European basketball's most historic matchups promises a new chapter when Olympiacos (23-12) hosts Real Madrid (22-13). The Greek side has reached the upper part of the standings largely thanks to a nine-game home winning streak, while Real Madrid's road woes (5-12 this season) were again evident in last week's narrow loss at Baskonia.
Two individual matchups will be particularly decisive. In the paint, the competition's leading rebounder Nikola Milutinov (10.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game) will look to impose himself against the EuroLeague's best shot-blocker, Edy Tavares (9.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game).
Two elite small forwards will also go head-to-head: Sasha Vezenkov, the competition's most valued player with 23.5 PIR per game, against the dynamic Mario Hezonja, Real Madrid's leading scorer averaging 13.3 points.
Virtus Bologna vs. FC Bayern Munich (20:30 CEST)
Two teams already eliminated from playoff contention will play for pride and to improve their standing when Virtus (13-22) hosts Bayern (15-20). New Virtus head coach Nenad Jakovljevic has yet to spark the expected turnaround after suffering two home losses last week, and he faces the added problem of point guard Luca Vildoza's injury, one of the team's perimeter leaders.
Bayern arrives with confidence after defeating defending champion Fenerbahce in Matchday 34 thanks to a standout performance by Neno Dimitrijevic, who posted 22 points, his best mark of the season. The point guard will look to maintain his level against the challenge posed by Carsen Edwards, a former Bayern player and Virtus's current offensive reference with 17.5 points per game.
The Italian side also hopes that the energy of Saliou Niang, who averages 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds over the last three games, helps slow down a Bayern team that grabbed 19 offensive rebounds last week.
Valencia Basket vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (20:30 CEST)
Valencia (22-13) seek a victory that would strengthen their position in the top four and simultaneously leave Milan (17-18) with virtually no postseason hopes. The Spanish team has won five of its last six home games and is confident that power forward Nate Reuvers maintains his excellent form after scoring 33 points on just one missed shot in Friday's victory at Virtus.
In that game, Valencia also distributed 29 assists with just 9 turnovers, with Jean Montero standing out as the floor general with 8 assists. Finding a way to slow down the home team's offensive pace will be key for the Italian side.
Milan is approaching elimination after four consecutive road losses, so they need to rely on their solid three-point shooting (38.9%, the league's second-best percentage), led by Armoni Brooks, who averages 2.6 three-pointers per game.
FC Barcelona vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CEST)
Another high-level matchup will take place at the Palau Blaugrana between Barcelona and Panathinaikos, both with 20-15 records and currently tied for seventh place. Both teams arrive after important road losses.
Barcelona need to bounce back after the fourth-quarter collapse against Zalgiris and hope to have point guard Tomas Satoransky available for this game, as he was unable to play the second half of that contest.
For Panathinaikos, Cedi Osman and former Barcelona player Nigel Hayes-Davis will look to recover their three-point accuracy after combining 3 of 16 from beyond the arc in last week's loss to Hapoel.
The first matchup of the season between the two teams was won by Barcelona 96-103, powered by 23 points from Will Clyburn. A home victory for the Blaugrana on Tuesday would significantly strengthen their playoff chances, while Panathinaikos would likely be headed toward the play-in.
Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv (21:00 CEST)
A Maccabi (18-16) in excellent form will look to maintain their push toward the top 10 with a difficult road trip to Baskonia (11-24). The Israeli side has won eight of their last nine games, most recently against Efes with 25 points from Lonnie Walker, and arrives with confidence after averaging 93.5 points during their four-game winning streak.
However, Baskonia proved they remain dangerous by securing a dramatic victory over Real Madrid last week. In that game, Kobi Simmons scored 21 points, his career-high, and will look to maintain that level against Maccabi's hot point guard Jimmy Clark, who averages 18.7 points and 8.7 assists over the last three games.
Baskonia has the league's worst defense (93.6 points allowed per game), so they will need another strong performance from their leading scorer, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, who averages 18.3 points.
Wednesday, April 8
AS Monaco vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (19:30 CEST)
Wednesday's matchday includes a French derby in which Monaco (19-16) will look to stay inside the top 10 by beating ASVEL (8-27). The visiting side occupies last place after five consecutive losses, though last week they showed they can still compete by putting up a fight against Olympiacos.
Monaco need to recover their defensive solidity after suffering two consecutive road losses, allowing over 100 points in both games, and must pay special attention to ASVEL point guard Thomas Heurtel, who has dished out more assists than anyone in the competition over the last six games (8.5 per game).
The home side hope to have their perimeter leader Mike James available, who is recovering from injury for this crucial game, as the team seeks its ninth consecutive EuroLeague victory over their domestic rival.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (19:30 CEST)
An unusual matchup with no direct playoff implications will see Efes (10-15) face Partizan (15-20). The Serbian side arrives in excellent form after stringing together six consecutive victories, including last week's Belgrade derby win. During that streak, Sterling Brown has become one of the competition's most efficient three-point shooters, averaging 2.7 three-pointers on 44.4% accuracy.
Efes, meanwhile, are on a four-game losing streak but can respond from beyond the arc with Cole Swider, who ranks fourth in the league in three-point percentage at 49.4%.
In the paint, Brice Dessert will look to stand out again after grabbing 5 offensive rebounds in last week's loss to Maccabi, while visiting big man Bruno Fernando will look to impose himself after posting 15 points and 5 rebounds in the Belgrade derby victory.