22
Sep
EuroLeague x NBL
European giants edge NBL clubs in Sydney
Former Milwaukee Bucks teammates Matthew Dellavedova and Jabari Parker in action in Sydney. Photo: Aaron Camua.
Game Replays
Adelaide and Sydney showed fight but European powerhouses Panathinaikos and Partizan claimed wins.
- Cotton and Vasiljevic combined for 46 as Adelaide led at half before Panathinaikos stormed home.
- Sydney pushed Partizan to the final seconds, with late threes just missing to force overtime.
- Serbian basketball 'religion' on full display in Australia
The Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament wrapped up in Sydney on Sunday with both NBL teams showing plenty despite falling to two of Europe’s biggest names. Adelaide pushed Panathinaikos through a strong first half before fading late, while Sydney went down in a three-point thriller against Partizan.
Adelaide 36ers v Panathinaikos
Bryce Cotton and Dejan Vasiljevic combined for 46 points in their first outing together as Adelaide 36ers teammates, but Panathinaikos BC Aktor proved too strong down the stretch in a 106–89 victory.
The 36ers led 47–39 at half-time thanks to Vasiljevic catching fire on his old home floor, while Cotton warmed into his Adelaide debut to finish with 24 points and nine assists. Captain Vasiljevic added 22 points on 6/9 three-point shooting.
Panathinaikos, sparked by EuroLeague MVP Kendrick Nunn, turned the game with a 34–21 third quarter and piled on another 33 in the fourth. Nunn top-scored with 26 points, with strong support from Nikos Rogkavopoulos (14), Richaun Holmes (14), Ntinos Mitoglou (12) and Jerian Grant (11 points, 10 assists).
Despite the loss, there were positives for Adelaide with Isaac Humphries back in action for 12 points, Zylan Cheatham adding 11 points and nine boards, and temporary signing Vrenz Bleijenbergh contributing off the bench. Former NBA forward Montrezl Harrell is yet to suit up and will join the team for the start of NBL26.
Final score: Panathinaikos 106 def Adelaide 89
Sydney Kings v KK Partizan
The Sydney Kings pushed Serbian powerhouse Partizan to the final buzzer before falling 93–90 in a thrilling contest.
In front of a loud Qudos Bank Arena crowd, the Kings had multiple chances to force overtime in the closing seconds. Kouat Noi, Kendric Davis and Jaylin Galloway all saw late three-point looks go astray after Carlik Jones’ put-back gave Partizan the lead.
Galloway was a standout for Sydney with 20 points on 6/10 from long range. Davis added 19 points, Noi 15, and Xavier Cooks a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Matthew Dellavedova also dished 10 assists as his partnership with Davis begins to build.
Partizan were led by former NBA lottery pick Jabari Parker, who scored 24 points with five rebounds and two blocks. Malik Milton added 22 points, Jones 18 and Sterling Brown a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Vanja Marinkovic also delighted the crowd with a three-quarter court buzzer beater.
Sydney’s focus now shifts to the NBL26 opener against Cairns at Qudos Bank Arena next Sunday.
Final score: Partizan 93 def Sydney 90
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