Paris Basketball continued its impressive EuroLeague rise with an 82-78 home victory over Zalgiris Kaunas, using a dominant fourth quarter to turn a two-point deficit into a hard-earned win at the Adidas Arena. The French club outscored the Lithuanian champions 22-16 in the final period, showcasing the clutch guard play and defensive intensity that have become its trademark.
Match overview
Paris started quickly, taking a 23-20 lead after the opening quarter, but Zalgiris steadied itself behind efficient half-court execution. The visitors edged the second period 20-19 and then won the third 22-18 to carry a 62-60 advantage into the final ten minutes. From there, Paris flipped the script. A 12-2 run early in the fourth gave the home side control, and Zalgiris never recovered.
- Final score: Paris Basketball 82, Zalgiris Kaunas 78
- Quarter scores: 23-20, 19-20, 18-22, 22-16
- Venue: Adidas Arena, Paris
- Competition: EuroLeague 2026-27 regular season
Key moments
Trailing 70-68 with just over six minutes left, Paris forced three consecutive Zalgiris turnovers and converted them into quick baskets. T.J. Shorts sliced through the defense for a layup, Nadir Hifi buried a transition three, and Tyson Ward finished an alley-oop that brought the home crowd to its feet. Zalgiris had one last chance to tie in the final 20 seconds, but a contested three-pointer from the top of the key missed long.
Tactical story
Paris’s pressure defense was the difference. The hosts pressed aggressively on made baskets and traps, forcing Zalgiris into 14 turnovers, including six in the fourth quarter. Offensively, Paris attacked the paint relentlessly, scoring 38 points inside and drawing 18 free-throw attempts. Zalgiris shot well for three quarters but went cold at the worst possible time, finishing 9-of-26 from beyond the arc.
Standout players
T.J. Shorts led Paris with 20 points and 8 assists, repeatedly breaking down Zalgiris’s pick-and-roll coverage. Nadir Hifi added 15 points, while Tyson Ward filled the stat sheet with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Kevarrius Hayes contributed 10 points and 8 rebounds. For Zalgiris, Sylvain Francisco scored 17 points and dished out 5 assists, Edgaras Ulanovas had 13 points, and Laurynas Birutis posted 11 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.
EuroLeague standings impact
Paris improves to 1-0 and signals that last season’s breakout was no fluke. Zalgiris falls to 0-1 and will look to clean up its late-game execution. The head-to-head result could matter later in the season, especially if both teams are fighting for a top-six finish and direct playoff qualification.

