By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos became the seventh participant in the EuroLeague Playoffs.
Ergin Ataman’s side defeataed Monaco 87–79 at OAKA Arena in the first Play-In game and will now face Valencia in a best-of-five quarterfinal series, with the Spanish side holding home-court advantage.
T.J. Shorts led the Greek side to a crucial victory with one of his best performances of the season, scoring 21 points in 22 minutes.
Kenneth Faried followed with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Nikos Rogkavopoulos added 11 points. Cedi Osman finished with nine points and six boards, while Kostas Sloukas and Mathias Lessort chipped in eight points each.
On the other side, Monaco once again played with just eight players. Mike James delivered a strong performance with 25 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, but it wasn’t enough. Alpha Diallo was the only other player in double figures, scoring 12 points.
Monaco had a slightly better start, but Panathinaikos quickly took control behind Shorts and Nunn, building a 23–14 lead after the first quarter. The hosts maintained a double-digit advantage for most of the game and went into halftime up 49–34.
Monaco briefly threatened late in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to single digits, but Sloukas helped restore control. Despite a late push from the short-handed visitors, Panathinaikos held firm down the stretch and secured its spot in the EuroLeague Playoffs.