Showtime in EuroLeague Round 5: Comebacks and Key Three-Pointers
The fifth round of the Euroliga left moments of great drama. Olympiacos completed a historic comeback from a 28-point deficit to defeat Valencia in overtime, while Barcelona won with a three-pointer at the last second by Justin Robinson and Fenerbahce dominated Zalgiris with authority.
Round 5 of the EuroLeague confirmed that European basketball continues to deliver high-voltage matchups. From overwhelming victories to epic comebacks, the competition demonstrated why it is one of the most exciting on the continent. Several teams left their mark in a round filled with unexpected turns and standout performances.
Fenerbahce asserts its dominance against Zalgiris
The Turkish team left no doubt about its potential at home. Fenerbahce defeated Zalgiris with a resounding 99-80, controlling the game from start to finish. Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius faced his former team, but the hosts did not allow any surprises. The first and third quarters were decisive for the Istanbul side, winning them 27-14 and 28-13 respectively, which clearly showed their superiority in both phases of the game.
Shavon Shields was the top scorer with 17 points, supported by Braxton Key (15) and Will Clyburn (14). For Zalgiris, Carson Edwards contributed 20 points but was the only one to reach double digits, while Jonas Valanciunas had a quiet game with 8 points and 10 rebounds.
Dramas in the final seconds: Robinson and Jones star in epic victories
Barcelona experienced a movie-like finish at home against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Justin Robinson executed a three-pointer with just one second remaining to secure a 90-87 victory for the Catalans. Bonzie Colson had missed a potential game-tying shot moments earlier, allowing the home team to breathe and close out the game. Kevin Punter led the Barcelona attack with 19 points, followed by Umoja Gibson (13) and hero Robinson (11). On the Israeli side, Yam Madar was the most effective with 22 points.
In Villeurbanne, Crvena Zvezda also had its moment of glory. Chris Jones hit a buzzer-beater with nine seconds left to give the visitors an 84-82 victory over ASVEL. The drama unfolded in the last two minutes when Tremont Waters missed a crucial shot for the home team. Chima Moneke (18), Jordan Nwora (17), and Semi Ojeleye (15) were the offensive pillars for Belgrade, while Jones added 8 points and 9 assists in his role as playmaker.
Olympiacos completes a historic comeback from 28 points down
The game between Valencia and Olympiacos will go down in European basketball history. The Greeks pulled off a movie-like comeback, erasing a 28-point deficit (62-34 in the third quarter) to win in overtime 102-97. Without their coach Georgios Bartzokas, who was ejected during the game, the visiting team executed a suffocating defense and a fluid offense that shattered the Spaniards' hopes.
Evan Fournier was masterful in the comeback, orchestrating the return from the bench with key shots in pressured moments. Jean Montero was the top scorer with 26 points, while Fournier added 21, and Sasha Vezenkov rounded out the effort with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Valencia had Nikola Mirotic (19) and TJ Shorts (16, 5 assists) as their best assets, but it was not enough.
The drama extended into overtime. With Olympiacos leading 100-95, TJ Shorts tied the game with six seconds remaining after a foul by Jean Montero. In the additional five minutes, the referees had to review a play where the ball grazed the rim, ultimately awarding possession to Olympiacos in a decision that closed the door on Valencia’s comeback.
Panathinaikos maintains its perfect streak in Belgrade
Panathinaikos remains unstoppable. With their fifth consecutive victory, Zeljko Obradovic's team arrived in Belgrade and dispatched Partizan with authority (72-55). The Greek coach's return to the Belgrade Arena, where he achieved success in the past, was emotional but did not alter the team's performance. Obradovic turned down a gift from his old club, staying focused on the competitive objective.
Nigel Hayes-Davis (14) and Juancho Hernangomez (10) were the only ones in double digits for the visitors, demonstrating that defense was the primary weapon. Partizan could barely react, with Kevarrius Hayes (10) as their leading scorer.
Real Madrid also joined the victories of the round, defeating Olimpia Milano 98-89 in Italy. After three initial losses, Pedro Martínez's team found its rhythm and controlled the game, leading by more than 20 points at times. Theo Maledon (16), Andrés Feliz (15), Facu Campazzo (13 points, 6 assists), and Damian Jones (10) shared the scoring load. Leandro Bolmaro was the highest scorer for Milan with 21 points.
Dubai completed the round with a convincing victory over Baskonia in Vitoria (93-79). After losing to Crvena Zvezda in the previous round, Xavi Pascual's team responded well and recorded their third win of the season. Filip Petrusev (17), Mfiondu Kabengele with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Dwayne Bacon (15) were the offensive stars for the Emiratis.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Espectáculo en la jornada 5 de la Euroliga: remontadas y triples decisivos