Kostas Sloukas delivered a masterful performance as Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens edged LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 79-78 on Friday at LDLC Arena.
Sloukas scored a season-high 26 points, going 2-for-4 inside, 4-for-5 from three, and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, including the decisive shots in the final seconds.
With Kendrick Nunn sidelined by injury, Sloukas stepped up as the primary offensive option.
Coming off the bench four minutes into the first half, Sloukas scored seven of Panathinaikos’s first 15 points and guided the team to a 35-29 lead at halftime.
Panathinaikos tightened defensively in the second half, holding ASVEL scoreless for the first six minutes after the break, while Sloukas contributed seven points and three assists in the third quarter.
Sloukas added nine more points in the fourth quarter, controlling the tempo and helping the Greens secure the road win despite a late ASVEL push. Jerami Grant added 15 points for the Greek giants.
Panathinaikos captain also dished out nine assists, narrowly missing a double-double on the night of his 450th EuroLeague appearance, further cementing his status as one of the competition’s all-time leaders.
ASVEL kept the game competitive behind Braian Angola’s 20 points and 14 from each Melvin Ajinca and Bastien Vautier, but struggled to convert in key moments, shooting just 12-of-32 from the field in the final two quarters.
Panathinaikos improved to 15-10 in the EuroLeague standings, while ASVEL remains at 6-19, highlighting the Greek side’s ability to grind out crucial wins on the road.
The Greens will host Real Madrid next Tuesday to open a double-round week, while ASVEL travels to Virtus Bologna on Wednesday.
