After missing the last four months of last season through injury, Nikola Milutinov started the new campaign in the worst possible way. The CSKA big man suffered an apparent knee injury just 2 minutes into the game, battling for a loose ball underneath the basket, and did not return.

Milutinov hurt again for CSKA

AX Armani Exchange Milan v CSKA Moscow (2021-09-30T18:30:00.000Z)

Milan guard Sergio Rodriguez reached a milestone as he made his 300th EuroLeague appearance. Only eight players have enjoyed more outings in the competition. His coach Ettore Messina was also celebrating, turning 62 years old on the day of this season opener.

Celebrations for Chacho and Coach

AS Monaco enjoyed a sweet Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut by beating visiting Panathinaikos OPAP Athens 75-63 in the season-opening game at Salle Gaston Medecin on Thursday evening. The hosts dominated from the very beginning, building a 22-15 advantage in the first quarter and never looking back. The margin increased little by little in the second half to a maximum of 22 points midway through the last quarter, which allowed Monaco to enjoy an early celebration with its fans despite a late 0-10 late run by the Greens. Danilo Andjusic had a career-high 17 points in just 14 minutes to lead five Monaco scorers in double digits. Mike James scored 11 points and Paris Lee, Donatas Motiejunas and Donta Hall had 10 apiece. Ioannis Papapetrou set the tone for Panathinaikos with 16 points and 6 rebounds, followed by Daryl Macon Jr. with 13 points in the losing effort.

James ignited the hosts in the early going with a dunk and a deep three-pointer for a 5-0 lead. Papapetrou took over for Panathinaikos, but Monaco found solutions from inside with Motiejunas for a 10-7 lead midway through the first quarter. James launched the hosts’ escape attempt, 15-7, with a powerful steal and slam. The visitors’ answer came soon from the hands of Papapetrou, Macon and Okaro White, who made it 15-14. However, 5 straight points by Andjusic and free throws by Alpha Diallo closed the first quarter with the home team up 22-15. Will Thomas built the first double-digit with a three right after the game resumed. Andjusic made it even better for the home side, 30-17, with a couple of free throws and a corner three. The Greens tried to fire back taking advantage of Papapetrou and Georgios Papagiannis’s experience, but no one else joined and Monaco needed not much to keep a safe margin. The offensive game of both teams slowed down from then on, as nobody managed to score a single field goal in the final 3 minutes of the half and Monaco went into the locker room ahead 38-28.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He got highlight reel HIGH ⚡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7DAYSMagicMoment?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7DAYSMagicMoment</a> <a href="https://t.co/Qu5EtQM7T4">pic.twitter.com/Qu5EtQM7T4</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1443641725608734727?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The teams traded baskets after the break. Ibrahima Faye, Lee and James combined to again punish Panathinaikos and amass a 48-33 advantage after 25 minutes. The visitors struggled on offense, unable to break the trend. Hall took advantage to score 6 points in a row and turn the red lights on the visitors’ control panel, 54-37, right before Jehyve Floyd showed up to help his team keep breathing at 56-44 entering the last quarter. Monaco suffocated Panathinaikos's attempt to come back with Leo Westermann and Andjusic running the show. Thomas restored a 17-point margin, 64-47, with a reverse jumper. The visitors tried to stop it with a timeout, but little changed. Another three-point dagger by James, two inside buckets by Motiejunas and a pair of free throws by Lee made it 73-51 with 5 minutes remaining, making clear that nothing could prevent the hosts from claiming their first EuroLeague win ever.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A first EVER win in The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague <br><br>What a way to start the season <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> 🙌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1443647705776066562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Monaco beats Panathinaikos in EuroLeague debut

AS Monaco v Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (2021-09-30T17:00:00.000Z)

The hosts found a key offensive contribution from its backcourt, as Mike James, Leo Westermann, Paris Lee and Danilo Andjusic combined for 46 out of Monaco’s 75 points. On the other side, Nemanja Nedovic finished scoreless while playing just 12 minutes.

Monaco’s backcourt rules

The Round 1 game between Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and visiting FC Bayern Muncih featured several players facing their former teams. Maccabi’s Derrick Williams and Jalen Reynolds both played recently with Bayern - with Reynolds doing so last season. Bayern big man Othello Hunter spent the last two seasons in Maccabi and DeShaun Thomas played for Maccabi in 2017-18. And Maccabi's recent signing, center Mathias Lessort, who did not play, lined up for the German club in 2019-20. 

Maccabi, Bayern players say 'We meet again'

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v FC Bayern Munich (2021-09-30T18:05:00.000Z)

UNICS returns with quality firepower: Season Preview

On its return to the EuroLeague, UNICS Kazan made sure to bring along players who can put the ball through the basket, elite scorers Mario Hezonja, O.J. Mayo and Isaiah Canaan.

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is excited to announce a new digital streaming offering that will accompany fans while they watch some of most interesting games of the season.

The Watchalong will bring the atmosphere of watching a game with your friends to wherever you are!

Former professional player Anthony Goods of Swish Cultures will follow selected games live along with guest panelists to give you the perfect second-screen experience. Going live on YouTube, they will update what is happening at other venues, too, and focus on the big moments as they happen.

The program, which will be at least two hours on Thursday or Friday, depending on the game, and will also feature challenges, interviews, chat among panelists and fans, and much more.

Anthony will host the first episode of The EuroLeague Watchalong on Thursday evening with former EuroLeague star Curtis Jerrells as his special guest, starting at 20:25 CET. They will follow the first Game of the Week of the new season, AX Exchange Armani Milan vs. CSKA Moscow.

With this new EuroLeague digital offering, following the best basketball on the continent just got a lot more fun.

Introducing The EuroLeague Watchalong

GAME_WATCHALONG_MILANN_V_CSKA_16x9 _v7_2_peopleCURTIS_JERRELS_30_SEPTEMBER.png

Barcelona seeks to go one step higher: Season Preview

After reaching the championship game last season, FC Barcelona and stars Nikola Mirotic, Cory Higgins and Nick Calathes have one goal: to rise one step higher and lift the trophy.

Zvezda reels back fan favorites: Season Preview

As many as three fan favorites from the past – Nate Wolters, Luka Mitrovic and Nikola Kalinic – are back in the Serbian capital with a plan to lead Crvena Zvezda MTS Zvezda to bigger heights.