Kenneth Faried made a statement in his Panathinaikos debut, recording 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks to lead the Greens to a 101–82 victory over Paris Basketball on Tuesday at Accor Arena just days after joining the team. The veteran forward’s performance showcased the energy and intensity that earned him the “Manimal” nickname during his NBA prime.
Faried started strong, scoring 7 points and grabbing 3 rebounds in the first quarter alone, including a highlight-reel sequence where he lost a shoe but still blocked a shot, secured an offensive rebound, and drew a foul. His hustle energized Panathinaikos and set the tone for the team’s physical style throughout the game.
TJ Shorts returned to Paris for the first time since his two-season stint with the French side, finishing with 13 points, 6 assists, and a PIR of 13.
The Greens also received key contributions from Kostas Sloukas (11 points), Kendrick Nunn (20 points), Juancho Hernangomez (11 points), and Konstantinos Mitoglou (17 points).
Despite trailing 84–79 with seven minutes remaining, Panathinaikos responded to a timeout by unleashing a 12–3 run to regain control.
Faried rested in the closing minutes as Hernangomez and Mitoglou helped secure the win, maintaining composure against a Paris side that dominated the offensive glass with 20 offensive rebounds.
Coach Ergin Ataman’s squad displayed remarkable ball movement, dishing out 27 assists compared to Paris’s 15, while committing just 10 turnovers. Shorts, Sloukas, and Nunn combined for 19 assists and 4 turnovers, highlighting the efficiency of Panathinaikos’ backcourt.
Paris was led by Justin Robinson’s 22 points and Nadir Hifi’s 19, and the home side dominated the offensive glass with 20 second-chance rebounds. Those extra possessions helped Paris attempt 76 field goals and 23 free throws, but Panathinaikos converted better in key moments.
Panathinaikos improves to 6–4 in EuroLeague play and will travel to face Real Madrid, featuring Walter Tavares and Alex Len, on Thursday in Round 11. Paris Basketball drops to 4–6 and hosts Valencia Basket on the same day, aiming to bounce back from a defeat to a dominant Panathinaikos side.
