By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos received a “warm” welcome in Tel Aviv in the first visit by a Greek team to Israel since 2022, and the tense pregame atmosphere carried over into a dramatic on-court finish.
The game went down to the wire, with the visitors having a chance to steal the win in the final moments but missing crucial shots. Maccabi ultimately held its ground and prevailed 75-71.
Iffe Lundberg led the winning side with 16 points, followed by Tamir Blatt with 15, and Roman Sorkin with 13 points and eight rebounds. Loonie Walker was sidelined once again.
For Panathinaikos, Jerian Grant scored 14 points, while T.J. Shorts added 13 points and seven assists. Nikos Rogkavopoulos also finished with 13 points, and Richaun Holmes was one rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points. Panathinaikos played without Kendrick Nunn and Dinos Mitoglou, and Cedi Osman was ruled out before the game due to left calf discomfort.
After Rogkavopoulos hit a three-pointer with 1:37 remaining, the gap was down to two points at Menora Mivtachim Arena. Panathinaikos then missed three shots on the same possession that could have tied the game or given them the lead. Maccabi failed to score at the other end, and with 30 seconds left, the visitors had another opportunity.
Kostas Sloukas missed an open three with 18 seconds on the clock, Grant grabbed the offensive rebound but also failed to convert a wide-open attempt from deep. Hoard secured the rebound, Lundberg drew a foul and made two free throws to extend the lead to four with six seconds remaining. Rogkavopoulos tried an ambitious buzzer-beater over Marcio Santos, hoping for a three and a foul, but it didn’t fall, as Maccabi held on for the win.