No More Undefeated Teams in the EuroLeague: Hapoel Stun Panathinaikos at OAKA Arena!

The clash lived up to expectations, delivering high-octane basketball with plenty of points, frequent lead changes, and relentless suspense deep into the fourth quarter. Both teams showed off their offensive firepower, but Hapoel proved sharper in crunch time, capitalizing on their opponent's miscues. Panathinaikos entered the contest boasting a perfect 5-0 record as the competition's sole undefeated side, while Hapoel stood at 3-2. Zeljko Obradovic's squad welcomed the Israeli side fresh off a commanding win over Partizan in Belgrade, while Hapoel arrived on the back of a victory against Dusan Alimpijevic's Besiktas.

A high-scoring first quarter produced 54 points as Hapoel, led by Vasilije Micic, Zach LeDay, and Daniel Oturu, jumped out to a 29-25 lead. On the other side, Sylvain Francisco carried the torch for Panathinaikos, signaling early on that he was in for a stellar individual performance.

The hosts fought back in the second frame. Obradovic's side chipped away at the deficit, and a pair of Francisco free throws briefly pushed them ahead. However, Hapoel hit back to take a slender lead into the locker room at halftime.

Panathinaikos were expected to dictate the tempo after the break, but the visitors had different plans. LeDay, Tomas Satoransky, and Elijah Bryant steered Hapoel to a seven-point lead heading into the final period, while Francisco continued to keep the Greens within striking distance. Despite an off-shooting night, Micic orchestrated the offense masterfully, remaining pivotal to Hapoel's rhythm.

LeDay drilled a three-pointer to open the fourth quarter and extend the lead into double digits, but Panathinaikos answered with an 11-0 surge. With five minutes remaining, the hosts took the lead, heavily fueled by Jerian Grant's five quick points.

The game headed into a thrilling finale with the score tied at 74-74 with four minutes left. Bryant hit a pair of free throws, matched immediately by Brancou Badio. Oturu then converted an and-one to put Hapoel up by three, before Mathias Lessort responded for the hosts.

The decisive blow came when Bryant buried a crucial three-pointer, making it a two-possession game. Hapoel followed up with a steal, and LeDay sank his trademark jumper to stretch the margin further. Lessort went 1-of-2 from the charity stripe at the other end, leaving Panathinaikos trailing 84-79 with a minute and a half remaining.

That set the stage for Micic to seal the contest. Despite struggling with his shot throughout the night, the Serbian playmaker hit a clutch, deep three-pointer as the shot clock expired, making it 87-79 and putting the game to bed. The Israeli side held firm in the dying seconds to secure a 91-81 triumph.