Panathinaikos AKTOR B.C. 90-67 Maccabi Tel Aviv: Dominant Home Display in EuroLeague

Panathinaikos AKTOR B.C. produced one of the most complete performances of their early EuroLeague campaign on October 3, 2026, dismantling Maccabi Tel Aviv 90-67 at a roaring OAKA. The Greek giants led from start to finish, combined balanced scoring with relentless defense, and turned a marquee matchup into a statement victory in front of their home crowd.

The final margin of 23 points tells the story of a game that was never truly in doubt after the first quarter. Panathinaikos moved the ball with precision, punished Maccabi in transition, and held the visitors to their lowest scoring output of the young season. It was exactly the kind of authoritative home performance that has become expected in Athens.

Match Overview

Panathinaikos opened with a 24-16 first quarter, setting the tone with aggressive perimeter pressure and quick ball movement. Maccabi tried to slow the pace in the second period, but the home side’s second unit maintained the intensity, extending the lead to 46-34 by halftime. The third quarter was where the game truly broke open: Panathinaikos outscored Maccabi 25-17, pushing the advantage to 71-51 and sending the OAKA crowd into celebration.

• First quarter: Panathinaikos 24-16 Maccabi
• Second quarter: Panathinaikos 22-18 Maccabi
• Third quarter: Panathinaikos 25-17 Maccabi
• Fourth quarter: Panathinaikos 19-16 Maccabi
• Final: Panathinaikos AKTOR B.C. 90-67 Maccabi Tel Aviv

Maccabi never found a consistent offensive answer. Their isolation-heavy approach played directly into Panathinaikos’s defensive hands, and the Greek side’s help rotations were sharp all evening. By the fourth quarter, both coaches were able to empty their benches, a luxury that underlined the home team’s control.

Key Moments

The defining run came late in the second quarter. With Panathinaikos leading 36-30, Kendrick Nunn hit a step-back three, Kostas Sloukas stole the inbound pass, and Mathias Lessort finished an alley-oop on the break. That five-point burst in fewer than 20 seconds forced a Maccabi timeout and shifted the atmosphere from tense to electric. Panathinaikos closed the half on a 10-4 run and never looked back.

Early in the third quarter, Maccabi briefly threatened with a 6-0 spurt to cut the deficit to 48-40. Panathinaikos responded with a 12-2 run of their own, highlighted by two corner three-pointers and a powerful offensive rebound put-back. That sequence effectively ended the contest as a competitive affair.

Standout Players

Kendrick Nunn led all scorers with 21 points, adding four rebounds and three assists. He was particularly effective in the third quarter, when he scored nine straight points for the home side. Kostas Sloukas orchestrated the offense beautifully, finishing with 14 points and eight assists while committing just one turnover. Mathias Lessort dominated the paint with 16 points and nine rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.

Maccabi’s leading scorer was Tamir Blatt, who finished with 15 points and five assists, but he received little support. The Israeli side shot just 38% from the field and 29% from three-point range. Their frontcourt was outrebounded 42-31, and their bench managed only 16 points. It was a night when Panathinaikos’s depth and physicality simply overwhelmed them.

Season Impact

The victory strengthens Panathinaikos’s position among the EuroLeague’s early front-runners and reinforces their reputation as one of the toughest home teams in the competition. A 23-point win over a historic rival like Maccabi Tel Aviv carries extra psychological weight, especially with a long regular season ahead. It also gives the coaching staff confidence that the team’s defensive identity is translating into results.

For Maccabi, the loss is a reminder of the gap they must close against elite opponents. They will need to find more ball movement and interior scoring before their next road test. Panathinaikos, meanwhile, will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture as they aim to build an early cushion in the standings.