By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2026 started with a true EuroLeague blockbuster, as Panathinaikos hosted Olympiacos in the Greek derby.
Ergin Ataman’s and Giorgos Bartzokas’ teams put on a show. Both sides went on big runs, individual performances stood out, and after 40 thrilling minutes, Olympiacos emerged with an 87-82 victory.
The Piraeus side extended its EuroLeague winning streak against its archrivals to 10 straight victories, improved to 11–7 in the standings, and opened the year on a high note, while Panathinaikos dropped to 12–7.
Sasha Vezenkov led the way for the winning team with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Tyler Dorsey was also crucial, scoring 21 points and hitting big shots down the stretch.
Nikola Milutinov followed the duo with 10 points and nine rebounds, along with a team-high PIR of 27. In his first Greek derby, Monte Morris scored eight points and dished out three assists, while Donta Hall also played an important role with eight points and seven rebounds.
On the other side, Kendrick Nunn started slowly but erupted in the second quarter, finishing the game with monster numbers — 32 points, six assists, and five rebounds for a PIR of 40. Still, it wasn’t enough for the hosts, as only Cedi Osman (13 points) and Nikos Rogkavopoulos (10 points) joined Nunn in double figures. Kenneth Faried added nine points and five rebounds.
Olympiacos opened the game with a 12–2 run, quickly stretching the lead to 22–5 and closing the first quarter ahead 28–13. Kendrick Nunn sparked Panathinaikos in the second period, as the hosts opened with a 6–0 run and erased the deficit by halftime, tying the game at 43–43. Nunn scored 14 points in the quarter.
The back-and-forth continued after the break, with the teams tied again at 61–61 after three quarters. Olympiacos pulled ahead 70–63 early in the fourth, but Panathinaikos responded once more. A 10–2 run put the visitors back in control, yet the hosts stayed alive as Grant, Sloukas, and Nunn cut the deficit to 82–84 with 74 seconds remaining.
Dorsey then hit a big shot to make it 86–82, but followed it up with a turnover that gave Panathinaikos another chance. Cedi Osman missed a three-pointer, after which Walkup made the first free throw but missed the second — still enough to seal Olympiacos’ win at the OAKA Arena.