EuroLeague: Valencia Basket Falls Short as Panathinaikos Takes Game 1 (67-68) [0-1]

This was a historic day for Valencia Basket in European competition. The Spanish club played their first playoff series game, only the second in their entire history.

box score

Their opponent, Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos, the EuroLeague champions from two seasons ago, had to win the play-in against Monaco to reach this series against a Valencia Basket team that completed a historic regular season, finishing second just one win behind Olympiacos—a team they defeated in both head-to-head matchups.

Head coach Ergin Ataman's squad arrived at Roig Arena after losing there a couple of weeks prior.

Valencia Basket's unavailable players for the game were: Xabi López-Arostegui (injury), Isaac Nogués, and Yankuba Sima.

• Valencia Basket Starting Five: Brancou Badio, Darius Thompson, Kameron Taylor, Jaime Pradilla, and Neal Sako.
• Panathinaikos Starting Five: Nunn, Grant, Osman, Hayes, and Lessort.

Nunn opened the scoring with a two-pointer, and Neal Sako quickly answered (2-2). Jaime Pradilla hit Valencia Basket's first three-pointer to tie the game at 5 just two minutes in.
As the minutes progressed, the Greek squad began to take control, building a +10 lead in the first five minutes (5-15), with Pedro Martínez unable to stop the bleeding.

The first timeout came with less than four minutes remaining at the same score, as the home crowd began complaining about several controversial calls that seemed to favor the visitors.

Braxton Key, assisted by Jean Montero, broke Valencia Basket's scoring drought (7-15), prompting Ataman to call a timeout as the hosts attempted a comeback. But Panathinaikos, highly efficient on offense and dominant on the offensive glass, was causing serious problems for Valencia. Nunn, with 14 points, was the game's leading scorer at that point. (15-23)

The second quarter opened with a basket from French center Neal Sako, who grabbed an offensive rebound and made it (17-23). Grigons hit a three-pointer from deep for Panathinaikos to extend the lead (17-26).

The end of the first half remained controlled by Panathinaikos, who never relinquished their advantage. Valencia Basket won the first quarter (17-16), but it wasn't enough to cut the deficit below five points heading into halftime. Nunn, with 15 points, remained the most impactful player on the floor. (32-39)

The teams returned from the locker room with much work ahead for the hosts, particularly in shot selection, while the Athenians sought to maintain their momentum and avoid suffering in this road game.

Hayes-Davis hit a corner three to open the second half, restoring the ten-point advantage for the visitors (32-42). On the next possession, 'Papi' Badio cut into the deficit (34-42).

As the minutes ticked by at the Roig Arena, the home crowd became increasingly vocal—this new arena had arrived at Europe's top competition to stay. On the court, Ataman called his final timeout of the quarter with 1:39 remaining in the third, with the score at (47-50) as Valencia Basket chipped away. After the timeout, Panathinaikos scored first (47-52). Brancou Badio delivered one of the season's best blocks on the final possession of the third quarter. Ataman challenged for a potential flagrant foul, but the Turkish coach was unsuccessful—the Senegalese player from Valencia Basket touched the ball. (49-54)
The fourth quarter began with a +5 lead for Panathinaikos, a slight advantage for the Greeks but far from decisive.

With 4:27 remaining, Neal Sako scored under the basket to bring Valencia within two (59-61), prompting Ataman to call timeout.

Nate Reuvers made two free throws to tie the game (63-63) with two minutes left. With 24.5 seconds remaining and the score at 65-67, Jean Montero stepped to the line with two free throws to tie it, and the Dominican made both to even it at 67. Panathinaikos had the final possession, and Braxton Key fouled Nunn with 2.1 seconds left. The former NBA point guard stepped to the line for two free throws, missed the first, and made the second, leaving the score at 67-68 with 2.1 seconds remaining. Jean Montero had the final possession but couldn't get a shot off—once again, the point guard failed in a crucial moment (similar to his miss against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey), and despite his 15 points, he wasn't sharp in key offensive decisions, with several turnovers that helped the Greeks secure the win and take a 0-1 series lead. Nunn led all scorers with 21 points (67-68)

Valencia Basket's hopes ended there, as they never led at any point in the game. Pedro Martínez's team fought until the end but came up just short of completing the comeback. Thursday will bring another battle in this closely matched European series.

A low-scoring affair ultimately favored the team with more veteran experience. Panathinaikos stole the home-court advantage.

The next game between Valencia Basket and Panathinaikos will be this Thursday at 20:45, also at Roig Arena, a crucial matchup for both clubs in determining the series outcome.