EuroLeague | Fenerbahce Dominates Istanbul Derby Against Anadolu Efes, 79-62

ISTANBUL. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul cruised to a decisive victory over Anadolu Efes (79-62) in Matchday 25 of the EuroLeague, a win that confirmed the defending champion's superiority and deepened the European struggles of Pablo Laso's squad.

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The matchup, played in Istanbul, quickly fell under the control of Sarunas Jasikevicius's team, which established differences from the physical and defensive standpoint, progressively opening up the scoreboard gap. Fenerbahce controlled the pace of the game and neutralized their rival's main offensive avenues, putting the contest out of reach before the final stretch.

Offensive leadership once again fell to Talen Horton-Tucker, who was decisive throughout the night with 22 points and a PIR of 27, proving to be the game's most impactful player. Around him, the yellow-and-black squad found consistent contributions: Nando De Colo added 12 points and Tarik Biberovic chipped in 10, enough to maintain a comfortable lead without needing any spectacular collective displays.

The context was not easy for Fenerbahce, which faced the derby with numerous absences. Devon Hall, Scottie Wilbekin, Chris Silva, Melih Mahmutoglu, and Arturs Zagars were unavailable, while Brandon Boston did not see playing time. Nevertheless, the champion managed to impose its structure and experience to dominate the clash from start to finish.

On Anadolu Efes's side, offensive production was severely limited. Saben Lee almost single-handedly kept the team afloat with 19 points, being the only visiting player to reach double figures. The rest of the roster failed to support his effort against the rival's defensive solidity.

The matchup also marked the return of Vincent Poirier, who contributed four points and four rebounds, while Jordan Loyd, Shane Larkin, and the long-term absent Georgios Papagiannis remained out of Pablo Laso's rotation.

With this result, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul reaffirms its status as a solid contender in the EuroLeague, while Anadolu Efes Istanbul extends its nine-game losing streak in the competition, a run that reflects the precarious situation of the team in the continental tournament.

The derby delivered a clear message: Fenerbahce continues advancing with steady progress in Europe, while Efes continues searching for answers in a season that has yet to find its turning point.