Panathinaikos BC AKTOR was defeated 75–71 away by Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, in a matchup for Round 24 of the EuroLeague regular season. Jerian Grant led the Greens in scoring with 14 points.

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR opened the game with a 7–0 run, before the hosts responded to cut it to 7–5 at 2’. Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv moved ahead 15–14 at 7’ and extended the lead to 18–14 a minute later. The Greens regained the advantage by the end of the first quarter (20–21), but the hosts went up 27–22 at 12’. At 13’, they stretched the margin to 29–22, with Panathinaikos BC AKTOR answering to make it 29–27 in the following minute. Panathinaikos BC AKTOR edged ahead 35–34 at 17’, only for Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv to respond and lead 40–35 at 19’.

The first half ended with the hosts in front 42–39, and at 22’ the Greens trimmed it to 44–43. At 25’, Panathinaikos BC AKTOR moved ahead 49–48, extending the lead to 57–53 at 27’, but Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv answered again to go up 59–57 at 29’. The third quarter closed with the Greens narrowly in front (60–59), however at 32’ the Israeli side took control at 65–60. Panathinaikos BC AKTOR cut the deficit to 65–64 at 35’ and to 73–71 in the final minute, but Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv held on for the 75–71 win.

Quarters: 20–21, 42–39, 59–60, 75–71.

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv (Kattash): Lundberg 16 (1), Hoard 4, Clark III 9 (1), Santos 5, Lavi, Sorkin 13 (1), Brissett 4, Rayman 3 (1), Dowtin Jr. 4, Leaf 2, Blatt 15 (5).
Panathinaikos BC AKTOR (Ataman): Shorts 13, Kalaitzakis, Holmes 11, Sloukas, Rogkavopoulos 13 (2), Samodurov 4 (1), Grant 14 (2), Toliopoulos 5 (1), Faried 2, Grigonis, Hernangomez 7 (1), Yurtseven 2.

Ataman: “We had many chances to win”

The head coach of Panathinaikos BC AKTOR, Ergin Ataman, stated during the Press Conference following the away game against Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv:

“We played very good defense and had many chances to win the game, but in the final quarter we attempted 9 three-pointers and made only one. That’s the basketball part. On the other hand, we constantly compare the NBA with the EuroLeague and keep saying that the EuroLeague is the best competition in the world and in Europe, but this is not basketball. If you come to an arena to do your job and 10,000 people are waiting for you, coming to the locker rooms and insulting you throughout the entire game, and nobody says anything, this is not basketball.

I have never seen anything like this in the NBA. I will not compare the EuroLeague with the NBA again, but this is not basketball. I am simply doing my job. I am proud that with my team we beat Maccabi in the playoffs in the past, went to the Final Four and won the title—that is all I do. If you believe it is normal for 10,000 people to insult me constantly and everywhere, with no action taken by anyone—neither the referees nor the commissioners—then continue in this way.”