Paris edged Fenerbahçe Tarfin 111–109 in a thrilling EuroLeague contest on Thursday, with TJ Shorts leading a high-powered offensive display that kept the home crowd on its feet until the final buzzer. In a game that featured 20 lead changes, Paris made the decisive plays in the final minute to secure a statement win over one of the competition’s heavyweight sides.

Match overview

Both teams came out firing, with Paris leading 30–27 after the first quarter and 58–55 at halftime. The pace remained relentless in the third, and Fenerbahçe briefly took control early in the fourth before Paris responded with a 9–0 run. The final two minutes featured three ties and two lead changes, with Shorts hitting the go-ahead floater and Fenerbahçe’s last-second attempt falling short.

Paris shot 56% from the field and moved the ball brilliantly, finishing with 26 assists. Fenerbahçe shot 54% and were led by Wade Baldwin’s 29 points, but they were undone by a few costly turnovers and Paris’s ability to score in transition.

How the game was won

Shorts was magnificent, finishing with 33 points and nine assists. His speed in the open court and ability to finish around the rim put constant pressure on Fenerbahçe’s defense. Nadir Hifi added 22 points, including four three-pointers, and Maodo Lo contributed 15 points off the bench. Paris’s small-ball lineups created matchup problems, and their willingness to push the pace after made baskets kept Fenerbahçe from setting their half-court defense.

Fenerbahçe’s Baldwin was equally impressive, scoring 29 points and repeatedly hitting tough shots. Nigel Hayes-Davis added 24 points, and Marko Guduric contributed 16. However, Fenerbahçe’s role players struggled to score consistently, and Paris’s defensive activity in the fourth quarter forced a few late miscues.

Key moments

• First half: Neither team led by more than six, with Paris taking a three-point edge into the break.
• Fourth-quarter run: Paris’s 9–0 burst turned a five-point deficit into a four-point lead with seven minutes remaining.
• Final minute: Shorts hit a floater to make it 109–107, and after a Fenerbahçe turnover, Hifi added two free throws.
• Last shot: Baldwin’s contested three at the buzzer rimmed out, sealing Paris’s win.

Standout performers

Shorts was the engine behind Paris’s offense, and his performance will be remembered as one of the best individual displays of the EuroLeague season so far. Hifi’s shooting provided crucial spacing, while Lo’s bench scoring helped Paris maintain momentum. For Fenerbahçe, Baldwin and Hayes-Davis kept the visitors in it until the end, but the supporting cast could not provide enough balance.

Season impact

The win is a major result for Paris, boosting their EuroLeague record and proving they can compete with the competition’s elite. Fenerbahçe leave with a narrow loss that will sting, but their offense showed it can score against quality opposition. Both teams now turn their attention to the next round, with Paris looking to build on a signature victory and Fenerbahçe determined to bounce back quickly.