Fenerbahçe Kicks Off EuroLeague Playoffs with Quarterfinal Win Over Žalgiris

ISTANBUL — Fenerbahçe made a strong start to their EuroLeague playoff campaign Tuesday night, defeating Žalgiris 89-78 in the opening game of their best-of-five quarterfinal series. The victory gives the defending champions a 1-0 lead as they eye a return to the Final Four in Athens.

The Turkish powerhouse dominated early, particularly in the second quarter, where they turned a tight 22-20 first-period deficit into an 18-point halftime advantage. Despite a late surge from Žalgiris after the break, Fenerbahçe held on to secure the win in front of their home crowd.

Biberović Leads the Charge

Forward Tarik Biberović was the standout performer for Fenerbahçe, pouring in a game-high 26 points. His scoring barrage in the second quarter helped the hosts build an insurmountable lead and he finished the night shooting efficiently from the field.

Guard Wade Baldwin IV added 17 points and four assists, while veteran guard Talen Horton-Tucker contributed 15 points off the bench. The trio’s balanced scoring proved too much for Žalgiris to overcome.

Žalgiris Fights Back but Falls Short

Žalgiris showed resilience in the second half, trimming Fenerbahçe’s lead to single digits at one point. Guard Nigel Williams-Goss led the Lithuanian side with 24 points and six assists, while Moses Wright added 19 points and five rebounds. Silvain Francisco also chipped in with 15 points and six assists.

Yet, Žalgiris struggled to contain Fenerbahçe’s offensive firepower, particularly in the second quarter. Despite a late push, they never got closer than seven points in the final period.

Žagars Left Off Roster

Notably absent from Fenerbahçe’s lineup was Latvian guard Artūrs Žagars, who was not included in the team’s active roster for the game. Žagars, a key playmaker for the team this season, has been a consistent presence in Fenerbahçe’s rotation, but his omission raised eyebrows ahead of the playoff opener.

The defending champions will gaze to build on this momentum in Game 2, set to take place Thursday in Istanbul. A win would give them a commanding 2-0 lead in the series and put them one step closer to the Final Four.

EuroLeague Playoffs Heat Up

Fenerbahçe’s victory was one of four quarterfinal matchups that tipped off Tuesday, with Olympiacos and Panathinaikos also securing wins in their respective series. The EuroLeague playoffs continue this week, with all eight remaining teams vying for a spot in the Final Four, scheduled to take place in Athens next month.

For Fenerbahçe, this win marks a strong start to their title defense. After capturing the EuroLeague crown in 2025, the team is once again among the favorites to lift the trophy. However, with Žalgiris expected to bounce back in Game 2, the series is far from over.

Stay tuned for more updates as the EuroLeague playoffs continue.