In a thrilling EuroLeague contest that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer, Valencia Basket pulled off a gutsy 91–87 road victory over Panathinaikos at the OAKA Altion Arena on May 7, 2026. The match, which tipped off at 02:15 local time, saw the Spanish side weather a furious second-half comeback from the Greek giants to secure a crucial win in the regular season standings.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Valencia demonstrated the disciplined, ball-movement-heavy offense that has become their trademark under head coach Álex Mumbrú. They shot an efficient 52% from the field and kept Panathinaikos’s transition game in check for much of the first three quarters. The Greens, however, roared back in the fourth period behind a series of aggressive drives and timely three-pointers, cutting a 14-point deficit to just two with under two minutes remaining. But Valencia held firm at the free-throw line and forced a critical turnover in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory.

Key Moments

• First Half Surge: Valencia exploded for 28 points in the second quarter, building a 49–41 halftime lead. Point guard Chris Jones orchestrated the attack with 8 assists in the first half alone.
• Panathinaikos’s Rally: With 5:34 left in the fourth quarter, Panathinaikos’s Mathias Lessort scored inside and drew a foul, sparking a 10-2 run that brought the home crowd to a deafening roar.
• Clutch Free Throws: Valencia’s Brandon Davies calmly sank four straight free throws in the final 45 seconds to keep the margin at two possessions.

Tactical Story

Panathinaikos entered the game favoring a high-post offense that allowed Lessort and center Georgios Papagiannis to operate in the paint. Valencia countered by switching aggressively on screens and trapping the ball handler on side pick-and-rolls, forcing Panathinaikos into tough mid-range jumpers. The Greens shot just 31% from three-point range, well below their season average. On the other end, Valencia’s spacing created driving lanes for their guards, while wing Semi Ojeleye capitalized on mismatches with 18 points and 7 rebounds.

Standout Players

• Chris Jones (Valencia): Delivered a masterclass in floor leadership with 22 points, 10 assists, and 3 steals. His ability to break down the defense in the half-court was the difference-maker.
• Mathias Lessort (Panathinaikos): Despite the loss, Lessort was a force inside with 24 points (10-of-14 shooting) and 11 rebounds, keeping his team in the game during their rally.
• Brandon Davies (Valencia): Contributed 19 points and 8 rebounds, including the decisive free throws that iced the game.

Season and Table Impact

The victory improved Valencia’s record to 16-12 in the EuroLeague regular season, strengthening their hold on a playoff spot inside the top eight. Panathinaikos, now 14-14, slipped into a tie for ninth place, with every game becoming increasingly critical as the season enters its final stretch. For a Panathinaikos side that has historically dominated at home, this loss will sting—but they remain within striking distance of the postseason with five games remaining.