The year 2024 ended badly for Paris Basketball. Between defeats and viruses, the French club has not been able to combine two victories, even remaining with three consecutive defeats in the EuroLeague. To get the year off to a good start, the men of Tiago Splitter returned to the Accor Arena, where they beat Panathinaikos for their first win this season in the competition. This time, Barcelona presented themselves to them. This time, the room did not work out for the Parisians.
Paris Basketball lacks success
Everything did not start in the best way for Paris. If the hosts were the first within five minutes, it was a good start TJ Shorts who quickly scored 7 points, from the middle of the first action, the Parisians suffered. The first rotations in Paris halted the offensive, and long-distance success was long overdue. If it wasn’t a winning shot from Shorts, Paris Basketball wouldn’t have scored another in the first ten minutes, putting up a measly 1/9. The entrance to Maodo Lo relieved the Paris counter while Nadir Hifi the engine has not been started and Barca is in control (8-9).
The gauges of Youssoupha’s fall etc Willy Hernangomez leading the defense of Paris which nevertheless allowed the French formation to avoid a massive blow. Despite the 3-point drizzle that continued for Paris, the capital club was not more than ten points behind. At speed, Nadir Hifi brought his team back with two big possessions (26-32) but Paris Basket could not gather two baskets in a row. The second episode, however, was much better to watch Tyson Ward finally found the rope of 3 points in his fifth attempt, imitated by the buzzer Yakub Ouattara to allow Paris to still believe it at the break (36-40).
YEESSSSSSSS LE YAAAAAAAAK ⏰
QT2 – ❌ @ParisBasketball 36@FCBbasket 40 pic.twitter.com/PdGJEwcIut
— Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) January 3, 2025
Hernangomez destroyed the last hope of Paris
Paris’ hope didn’t last long with two 3-pointers signed Jabari Parker etc Kevin Punter which this time puts the differential at +10 in favor of Barcelona (38-48). As Hernangomez continues his work of demolition of the Paris racket, Paris continues to build, brick by brick, its offensive clumsiness. With the interior spaces blocked by the Spanish defense, Paris Basketball continued from far away, until compiling 3/22 in the middle of the 3rd quarter. Nadir Hifi finally found the target, but Hernangomez took care of increasing the gap.
In every attempt to close the score, the Parisians were stopped by an opponent timeout. However, when Paris put together a 9-0 run to get back within five short lengths, Joan Penarrova did not tremble. The two penalty teams even before the last five minutes, they were very choppy. But despite the last burst of pride Maodo Lothe only Parisian there tonight with TJ Shorts, who woke up in the room (72-76), Willy Hernangomez (23 points, 10 rebounds) destroyed what was left of Paris’ last hope.
2025 did not start as planned.
Thanks to Accor Arena for the unwavering support tonight 🖤💙❤️
You know, back to work tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/cFObynMOgc
— Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) January 3, 2025