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EuroLeague

From down 21 to Victory: Iraklis Stuns Panathinaikos in Greek League!

Greece - Iraklis pulls off an upset against Panathinaikos. The Greek team overcame a 21-point deficit to win 76-74 thanks to a buzzer-beater by Justin Edler-Davis, inflicting a painful defeat on Ergin Ataman's men.
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From down 21 to Victory: Iraklis Stuns Panathinaikos in Greek League!
Photo Credit : IRAKLIS BC

Panathinaikos Athens’ struggles are not limited to the EuroLeague. Ergin Ataman’s team is also going through a rough stretch in the Greek league, highlighted by a surprising 76–74 loss to Iraklis — a team with a losing record in the domestic championship (10 losses in 18 games). The Greens now sit at 15–4 in Greek league play.

A Spectacular Collapse That Hurts

The loss is already difficult to swallow given the opponent, but even more so considering how the game unfolded. Ergin Ataman’s team squandered a 21-point lead (50–29) in the third quarter, then let an 11-point advantage (63–52) slip away in the final period.

This historic comeback by Iraklis perfectly illustrates the current difficulties of Panathinaikos, which struggles to maintain its level of play throughout a game. The Athenian team, accustomed to dominating the Greek championship, shows worrying signs of mental fragility in a season where it is hosting the 2026 Final Four at home.

Kendrick Nunn was the visitors’ top scorer with 21 points, but his efforts were not enough to avoid this bitter defeat. On the Iraklis side, Justin Edler-Davis led the charge with 20 points, including the final two at the buzzer to give his team a historic victory.

Greek Championship Remains Dominated by Olympiacos

This 20th round of the Greek championship also saw Olympiacos maintain its undefeated record with a 100-73 victory against PAOK Thessaloniki. The Reds and Whites thus maintain their first place with a perfect record of 19 wins in 19 games.

The standings show an untouchable Olympiacos at the top, followed by Panathinaikos (15-5) and AEK (14-4). This defeat against Iraklis, a championship underdog, is not a first as in mid-February Pana had lost to Kolossos. But since then, the club had recovered Nigel Hayes-Davis before winning the Greek Cup. However, this did not serve as a real wake-up call.

Iraklis
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Sylvain Sultat
Sylvain Sultat follows the NBA on a daily basis, covering individual performances, team dynamics, and the league's greatest stories. On Be-Basketball, he breaks down the latest American basketball news with passion and consistency, always on the lookout for the trends shaping the world of basketball.
From down 21 to Victory: Iraklis Stuns Panathinaikos in Greek League!