Panathinaikos Overcomes 12-Point Deficit to Defeat Red Star 82-74 in EuroLeague

Panathinaikos defeated Red Star (Crvena Zvezda) 82-74 at the Telekom Center Athens in Round 32 of the EuroLeague on March 20, 2026, completing a dramatic comeback from a 12-point deficit to keep their top-six playoff ambitions alive. The hosts trailed 50-62 in the 28th minute before producing a dominant 27-12 fourth-quarter run that overturned the scoreline and silenced the visiting Serbs. Kendrick Nunn and Nigel Hayes-Davis were the standout performers for Panathinaikos, with Nunn delivering his most decisive contributions in the final period after a difficult first three quarters. The victory moved Panathinaikos to an 18-14 record in the EuroLeague regular season, level with Red Star, though the Belgrade club retains the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage.

Nunn's fourth-quarter awakening turned the game The contest appeared to be slipping away from Ergin Ataman's side as Red Star, coached by Saša Obradović, constructed a 10-0 run midway through the third quarter to push the lead to 12 points, drawing intense boos from the home crowd at the T-Center. Panathinaikos entered the final period trailing 55-62 after a five-point run trimmed the gap slightly. Nunn, who had struggled for much of the game, opened the fourth quarter with five straight points, and Hayes-Davis followed with a three-pointer to bring the hosts within one possession at 63-65. Nunn then converted a corner three-pointer to give Panathinaikos the lead at 66-65, their first advantage in a considerable stretch of the match. He scored again to extend it to 69-65, before Rogkavopoulos added a three-point play for 72-67, effectively sealing the momentum shift. The greens shot 6-of-11 from three-point range in the fourth quarter alone, after managing just 4-of-16 through the first three periods, according to reporting by NEWS 24/7.

Red Star's first-half control evaporated under pressure Red Star had controlled large portions of the first half, with Codi Miller-McIntyre orchestrating the visitors' offense and recording five points and five assists in the opening six and a half minutes. Butler struck with two consecutive three-pointers late in the first quarter to give Red Star a 20-27 lead, and the Serbs maintained a seven-point cushion at halftime after Miller-McIntyre converted a buzzer-beating two-pointer to make it 41-48. Panathinaikos struggled with poor offensive decision-making throughout the first three quarters, and the team's defensive lapses — they committed their first foul only after eight and a half minutes of play — allowed Red Star to build their advantage comfortably. The hosts did show periodic resilience, closing to within three points on multiple occasions in the second quarter, but Red Star consistently found answers. 27-12 (points) — Panathinaikos' decisive fourth-quarter partial score ultimately reflected the gulf in intensity between the two sides in the final ten minutes. Referees Lottermoser, Latisevs, and Baena officiated the contest.

Panathinaikos B.C., officially known as Panathinaikos Athens for sponsorship reasons, is one of the most decorated basketball clubs in European history and competes in both the Greek Basketball League and the EuroLeague. The club is owned by Dimitris Giannakopoulos. Ergin Ataman, born January 7, 1966, is a Turkish professional basketball coach who has served as head coach of Panathinaikos and also leads the Turkish national team. Saša Obradović, born January 29, 1969, is a Serbian professional basketball coach and former player who serves as head coach of Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) in the Basketball League of Serbia, the ABA League, and the EuroLeague.

Standings tighten with six regular-season games left The result left both Panathinaikos and Red Star with identical 18-14 records, but the standings picture remains complicated for the Athens club. Red Star holds the head-to-head tiebreaker after defeating Panathinaikos by 18 points in their meeting in Serbia earlier in the season, meaning a final tie in the standings would favor the Belgrade side. Panathinaikos sits in the play-in positions and is targeting a direct top-six finish with six games remaining in the regular season. Red Star, meanwhile, dropped out of the top six with their 14th defeat of the campaign, according to Kathimerini. Panathinaikos will next travel to Sarajevo to face Dubai BC in Round 33 on March 24, 2026, in what the Greek press described as another crucial fixture in the playoff race.

Panathinaikos Athens, Crvena Zvezda