EuroLeague: Panathinaikos Defeats Monaco and Secures Playoff Spot Behind Dominant TJ Shorts (87-79)

ATHENS. Panathinaikos BC defeated AS Monaco Basket 87-79 in the EuroLeague play-in and secured their playoff berth, where they will face Valencia Basket. On a night of maximum pressure at the OAKA, TJ Shorts took command with 21 points and led a crucial victory for Ergin Ataman's squad.

box score

The start was uncomfortable for Panathinaikos. The Greek squad began without rhythm, erratic on offense and overwhelmed in the opening minutes by a more settled Monaco, which opened with a 0-4 run. Ataman didn't hesitate to call an early timeout and immediately restructure his lineup. The entry of TJ Shorts completely changed the tone of the game.

The point guard brought speed, clarity, and offensive aggression. His impact was immediate and contagious to the rest of the team. Panathinaikos began to run the floor better, elevated their defense, and found easy buckets following two consecutive steals that returned control of the scoreboard. With Shorts already in double figures, the first quarter closed with a promising 23-14.

Monaco tried to react leaning on the talent of Mike James. The shooting guard sustained the visitors with high-difficulty plays, including two high-level three-pointers that momentarily slowed the home team's run. However, Panathinaikos responded with composure. Nikos Rogavopoulos punished with five consecutive points, and then a three-pointer from Jerian Grant extended the lead to 35-24.

The home team continued to grow before halftime. Dominating the boards and finding interior production with Mathias Lessort, Panathinaikos reached the break with a solid 49-34 lead. All of this despite the modest offensive contribution in those minutes from Kendrick Nunn.

After halftime, Monaco elevated the physical intensity and found their best moment. The visiting defense hardened the game and Panathinaikos lost some of the fluidity shown in the first half. Gradually, the gap narrowed to a tight 64-57 at the end of the third quarter.

When doubts appeared, TJ Shorts emerged again. The point guard sustained every comeback attempt with baskets of enormous value and managed the game's tempo well. Alongside him, Kostas Sloukas and Kenneth Faried grew, decisive with 13 points and 8 rebounds. The sentence came at 1:25 remaining, when Kendrick Nunn connected on a three-pointer that put the game out of reach.

TJ Shorts posted 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in a capital performance for Panathinaikos. For Monaco, Mike James finished with 25 points and 7 assists, the main offensive weapon of a team that fought until the end.

With this victory, Panathinaikos secures the seventh seed and will face Valencia Basket in the EuroLeague playoffs. Monaco, meanwhile, will still have a second chance to continue in the race toward the quarterfinals.