After securing the Euroleague title, Panathinaikos has now claimed the Greek basketball championship as well.
Despite trailing 2-0 in the finals, Ergin Ataman’s squad mounted a remarkable comeback to defeat Olympiakos 87-82 in the decisive Game 5, clinching the series 3-2.
This victory marks Panathinaikos’ return to the pinnacle of Greek basketball after three years, securing the 41st championship in the club’s storied history.
The +11 lead
Olympiakos maintained their +11 lead (4-15) until Panathinaikos started passing the ball to Matias Lesor, who outpaced everyone bringing Panathinaikos right back into the match. The partial score continued to narrow, reaching 15-5 as the “greens” closed in at 19-20 just before the end of the 1st quarter (20-22).
In this period, Panathinaikos struggled shooting 0/6 from three-point range but excelled in two-pointers with 70% accuracy (7/10). They also had 6/7 free throws, 7-3 rebounds, and 3 assists for 3 fouls. Meanwhile, Olympiakos was precise from the perimeter, hitting 4/6 three-pointers, and tallied 2/7 on two-pointers, 6/8 free throws, 6-0 rebounds, and 8 assists for 2 turnovers.
KEY FACTORS:
The decisive Game 5 of the finals hinged on four key points:
1) Sloukas’s incredible first half, which led Panathinaikos back from an 11-point deficit.
2) The 9-0 run by the “Greens” from the 28th to the 33rd minute, turning the game around.
3) Goss’s missed shot with 12 seconds remaining and Panathinaikos leading by one.
4) Goss’s 5-second violation with 7 seconds left on the clock.
MVP:
Kostas Sloukas was outstanding, scoring 29 points with 6/9 two-pointers, 4/5 three-pointers, and 5/6 free throws.
UNDERPERFORMER:
Isaiah Canaan had a poor game, shooting just 1/7.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS TO THE VICTORY:
Jerian Grant (15 points) was once again a cornerstone for his team.
WASTED PERFORMANCE:
Alec Peters (21 points), Nikola Milutinov (17 points, 12 rebounds), and Kostas Papanikolaou (18 points) did everything for their team but it wasn’t enough.
STAT OF THE MATCH:
Olympiakos had 23 assists for 11 turnovers, while Panathinaikos shot 62% on two-pointers.
QUARTER SCORES:
20-22, 48-39, 65-64, 87-82.
SERIES RESULT: PANATHINAIKOS – OLYMPIAKOS 3-2
- Game 1: Panathinaikos – Olympiakos 84-89
- Game 2: Olympiakos – Panathinaikos 92-86
- Game 3: Panathinaikos – Olympiakos 83-76
- Game 4: Olympiakos – Panathinaikos 85-88
- Game 5: Panathinaikos – Olympiakos 87-82
