By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Constantly converting in the paint, Fenerbahce Beko overpowers Anadolu Efes, 103-86, Thursday.
Failing to secure a fifth win in a row across all competition and instead stay in the hunt, the reigning back-to-back champions of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague were eliminated from postseason contention.
Confessing defeat and after shaking hands with Dimitris Itoudis, the losing head coach Ergin Ataman exited with 36.5 seconds on the clock, while the Fenerbahce coach asked for a challenge with the game already decided.
With 2.6 seconds left, Will Clyburn left the court following a brief scuffle with multiple opponents from players to coaches, starting with a verbal exchange with Fenerbahce assistant coach Stefanos Dedas.
😱😱😱 MAÇ SONUNDA YAŞANANLAR!
Will Clyburn, Fenerbahçe yardımcı antrenörüne koşuyor ve ortalık karışıyor. pic.twitter.com/XyOGFz1eIs
— Euroleague Time (@euroleague_time) April 6, 2023
Lasting 40 minutes and registering half of his points in the fourth quarter, Nigel Hayes-Davis poured a game-high 26 points with 9/13 field goals in the Regular Season Round 33 fixture pitting the Istanbul rivals against each other in Ulker Sports Arena. His side getting the job done and clinching a Playoffs berth will potentially require a win over Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet in Belgrade next Thursday.
“It was a do-or-die game for us. My teammates trust me, the coach trusts me to play 40 minutes and contribute to the team’s win. I did my best job,” said the former Wisconsin standout after setting the new personal best in points for his career in Europe’s top-tier club continental competition, “Apparently, we still need some help. As long as we take care of business, that’s all we can do.”
Despite foul trouble to Johnathan Motley and Tonye Jekiri, scoring efficiency inside put in points to retain control following a brief 10-point lead midway through the second period with the double-digit advantage resurfacing down the stretch. Tucking in 10/18 three-pointers did additional damage.
Apart from Hayes-Davis, Dyshawn Pierre also stretched over 40 minutes and with a long-range dagger boosted his personal total to 17 points to go with eight rebounds. “We had to win this one. Obviously, it was very important for our fans. We are happy to give them that win and to give the organization that win to move forward into the Playoffs,” noted the Canadian forward.
Tyler Dorsey threw in 17 more points. Nick Calathes finished with 14 points, three assists, and three rebounds. Nemanja Bjelica (leg), Devin Booker (left knee), Scottie Wilbekin (left knee), and Metecan Birsen (left shoulder) were all sidelined alongside healthy scratches Samet Geyik and Ismet Akpinar.
“I really want to congratulate our squad, each and every one individually, including those that did not play today, because they gave their fights on the court in practice and behind closed doors,” mentioned Itoudis after guiding Fenerbahce to 19-14, “We kept believing, even when we had and still have a lot of obstacles to overcome.”
The reigning champions of Turkey’s BSL finished the home portion of the EuroLeague’s Regular Season with a 12-5 record. However, possibly winning at home in the Playoffs would need to pair up with an away triumph for the team to reach the Kaunas Final Four.
Anadolu Efes is out
For the losing side dropping to 16-17, Clyburn stood out with 21 points before abruptly leaving the game. Vasilije Micic and Shane Larkin had 16 and 13 points, respectively. Rodrigue Beaubois with eight points made it over the 2,500 EuroLeague points. Bryant Dunston and Erten Gazi stayed on the injury list alongside captain Dogus Balbay, who had hip surgery in December.
The Round 34 home game opposite AS Monaco can’t save the day. “For us, we did not lose the Playoffs in this game. We lost the Playoffs because we lost many games at home, especially against other teams that are already eliminated. We had a lot of problems during the season,” Ataman summed up the continental campaign, “Four years, we made history in European basketball. This season, it happened like this. This is basketball, this is sports.”
Before the last week of the EuroLeague Regular Season, the Istanbul rivals will deal with domestic action on Sunday. Sitting at 19-4, Fener will play host to Gaziantep and Efes will visit Pinar Karsiyaka to break the 17-6 tie between the upcoming opponents. Turk Telekom leads the standings at 20-3.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net