By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In a postponed Turkish Basketball Super League Round 27 match, Anadolu Efes defeated Fenerbahce Beko 96-91, as Vasilije Micic left the game early after a collision with Metecan Birsen.
They banged their knees and immediately fell on the floor. Teammates and medical staff helped Birsen off while Micic left the court on the stretcher.
The collision happened while Efes‘ playmaker drove to the basket after a fast break in the final minute of the third quarter. At the time, Micic had 12 points for a PIR of 12.
Vasilije Micic ve Metecan Birsen, diz dize çarpışma ile sakatlanıp oyuna devam edemediler. Micic, sedye ile götürülürken gözyaşlarını da tutamadı. Ciddi bir sıkıntıları yoktur umarım her iki oyuncunun da. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZGnu60lGsV
— Ferhat Yeşiltaş (@NeoRock06) May 16, 2023
Without their star player, Anadolu Efes stayed composed and kept the lead through the final 10-11 minutes to win the game.
Shane Larkin led Efes with 23 points and four assists for a PIR of 25, and Ante Zizic finished the match with a double-double of 15 points and ten rebounds for a PIR of 25 as well. Will Clyburn added 22 points with five rebounds.
For Fenerbahce, Tayler Dorsey and Johnathan Motley scored 18 points each, while Nick Calathes and Dyshawn Pierre added 12 apiece.
“We’re working well, we’re well motivated, and we feel good. We’re saddened by Micic’s injury. I hope it’s nothing too serious because we’re in really good shape. We suffered a lot from injuries throughout the season, but everyone can see how this team plays when we have a full roster. Now, we have only one goal. To be champions in the Turkish League. To show who is better. We achieved that tonight, but of course, I have to say Fenerbahçe is a very good team.” Ataman said after the game.
With the victory of a margin bigger than three points, Efes got in front of their Istanbul rivals in head-to-head matches. However, Fenerbahce still controls its destiny with two more games to play in the regular season, at home against Petkim and Bursaspor, and with a win ahead of Ergin Ataman’s team.
As things stand, and if everything goes as expected, Turk Telekom will finish 1st, while Fenerbahce should go second, and Anadolu Efes can go to the playoffs as third, with a match left to play in the regular season against Merkenzefendi on the road.
Standings: 1. Turk Telekom 24-5, 2. Anadolu Efes 21-8, 3. Fenerbahce 22-6, 4. Pinar Karsiyaka 20-9, 5. Bursasport 17-12…