Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade delivered one of its most complete performances of the 2025-26 EuroLeague season on Thursday, defeating Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 78-62 behind aggressive defense and disciplined execution at Belgrade Arena.
The Serbian club improved to 9-18, while the 2024 champions slipped to 16-11 and remained eighth in a tightly packed playoff race, where every possession now carries postseason implications.
Joan Penarroya’s team forced 20 turnovers and limited the visitors to 13 assists and 4-of-19 shooting from three-point range, setting the tone with physical perimeter pressure and strong defensive rebounding.
Partizan entered the matchup after a buzzer-beating loss at Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, but the home side played with higher intensity from the opening tip and built a 22-19 lead after the first quarter.
The hosts extended the margin to 45-33 by halftime by controlling pace and winning second-chance opportunities, an approach that disrupted Panathinaikos’ half-court rhythm without Kendrick Nunn available.
Cam Payne orchestrated the offense with 18 points, five assists and four rebounds, while Sterling Brown and Isaac Bonga added 16 points each to maintain balanced scoring across multiple lineups.
Bonga also contributed six rebounds and three assists, and Bruno Fernando anchored the interior with 11 points as Partizan finished with 20 assists and 35 rebounds as a team.
The Greek side struggled to generate consistent offense despite a game-high 21 points from TJ Shorts, who finished as the only visiting player in double figures.
Partizan created separation early in the fourth quarter, stretching the lead to 68-42 by turning turnovers into transition baskets and limiting Panathinaikos to contested shots late in the clock.
The visitors produced a brief 0-9 run, but Payne slowed the pace and executed in pick-and-roll actions to prevent any late comeback attempt.
