Aris B.C. 90–81 AEK B.C. | Greek Basket League | 17 May 2026

Aris Thessaloniki delivered a commanding performance at the Nick Galis Hall, defeating AEK Athens 90–81 in a heated Greek Basket League contest. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for Aris and injected new life into their push for a home‑court advantage in the playoffs.

Match Overview

The game was tightly contested through the first quarter, with AEK leading 22–20. But Aris turned up the defensive pressure in the second period, forcing five consecutive turnovers that sparked a 15–2 run. By halftime, the home side held a 48–37 advantage. AEK, led by veteran guard Giannoulis Larentzakis, chipped away in the third quarter but could never get closer than six points.

Key Moments

• Second‑quarter blitz: Aris’s bench outscored AEK’s reserves 14–3 in the second quarter, with Nikos Chougkaz scoring 8 quick points off offensive rebounds.
• Larentzakis fightback: AEK’s star guard scored 12 of his game‑high 26 points in the third quarter, including a step‑back three that cut the deficit to 67–61.
• Clutch execution: Aris answered every AEK push. Point guard Vassilis Mouratos nailed a corner three with 4:30 left, then found center Olympos Papadopoulos for a dunk that restored a double‑digit lead.

Standout Performers

Vassilis Mouratos orchestrated the Aris offense to perfection, finishing with 17 points and 11 assists for a double‑double. Forward Nikos Chougkaz added 15 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. For AEK, Giannoulis Larentzakis was unstoppable at times, scoring 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting, but received minimal support from his teammates—only two other AEK players reached double figures.

Tactical Story

Aris dominated the glass, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds that led to 18 second‑chance points. AEK’s inability to secure defensive boards allowed Aris to sustain possessions and bleed time. Defensively, Aris employed a switching scheme that neutralized AEK’s pick‑and‑roll game, holding them to just 36% shooting from three‑point range.

Season Impact

With the win, Aris improves to 15–10, moving into sole possession of fourth place in the Greek Basket League standings. AEK drops to 14–11, falling into a tie for fifth with Promitheas. With eight games left in the regular season, the battle for playoff positioning is intensifying, and head-to-head results like this could prove decisive for tiebreakers.