A controversial non-call in the final seconds of regulation, coupled with the ejection of head coach Erginas Atamanas, fueled a firestorm of criticism following Panathinaikos’ 104-99 loss to Paris Basketball on Wednesday. The defeat marks the third consecutive loss for the Athens-based club and has prompted a strong response from team owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos.
The pivotal moment occurred with just 22 seconds remaining and Panathinaikos trailing by two points. New acquisition Nigelis Hayes-Davis drove to the basket and released a three-point attempt, which ultimately missed. Hayes-Davis immediately protested, arguing he was fouled during the play. Officials did not make the call. Immediately following the no-call, Atamanas vocally disputed the decision and was assessed a second technical foul, resulting in his ejection from the game, according to reports.
Following the game, Hayes-Davis reportedly received confirmation from the player defending him, Leo Cavaliere, that a foul had occurred on the play. Giannakopoulos subsequently shared a still image on his Instagram account appearing to show Cavaliere making contact with Hayes-Davis’s elbow, further amplifying the sense of injustice. “Although Paris played better for 39 minutes, a foul is a foul, and it would have changed the result,” Giannakopoulos wrote in a post on the platform.
Giannakopoulos did not stop with the post-game analysis. He issued a stark challenge to the team, posting “Strictly 6/6,” signaling an expectation of six consecutive wins once key players return from injury. Mathias Lessort and Kendrick Nunn are currently sidelined, and their return is anticipated to bolster Panathinaikos’s roster.
In a further move aimed at galvanizing the fanbase, Giannakopoulos announced that season ticket holders will receive a 10% discount on their 2025-26 season tickets if the team fails to reach the EuroLeague Final Four this season. This announcement underscores the high stakes and pressure surrounding the club’s performance.
The loss to Paris comes at a critical juncture for Panathinaikos, as they are currently in direct competition with Žalgiris Kaunas for a playoff position in the EuroLeague. Lithuanian forward Marius Grigonis was registered for the game but did not witness any playing time.
