When the final buzzer sounded at Žalgirio Arena on Thursday night, the scenes told the whole story. Zalgiris players mobbed each other at centre court. The home crowd rose as one. Tomas Masiulis pumped his fist on the sideline.
Zalgiris 85, Paris Basketball 79. Job done. Playoff spot confirmed. Season continuing.
It was not always pretty. It was not always comfortable. But in a game that carried enormous weight — for Zalgiris, a chance at a direct playoff berth; for Paris, a last shot at the postseason — the Lithuanian side delivered when it mattered most. Moses Wright put up one of the greatest individual performances in Žalgirio Arena’s recent memory, Sylvain Francisco and Maodo Lo combined for 42 points, and Zalgiris held on to seal fifth place in the EuroLeague standings.
What Was at Stake
Everything about this fixture had a sharp edge going in. Zalgiris came into Round 38 knowing that a win would secure a direct playoff spot — meaning a best-of-five quarterfinal series against Fenerbahçe, no Play-In required. A loss could have dropped them into the Play-In picture entirely.
Paris Basketball needed a win and help elsewhere to sneak into the postseason. Their season had been one of the most dramatic in EuroLeague history — a coaching change mid-campaign, an aggressive, high-tempo style under Julius Thomas that had caused problems for everyone, and enough wins down the stretch to keep their playoff hopes alive until the very last night.
Paris lead the EuroLeague in steals at 7.32 per game and offensive rebounds at 13.38 per game — numbers that explained exactly why Masiulis had spent all week warning his players about the dangers of open three-point looks and transition defence.
The atmosphere inside Žalgirio Arena was electric from tip-off.
First Half: Wright Takes Over, Zalgiris Lead at the Break
The first half was everything it was billed to be — two teams trading baskets, the lead changing hands multiple times, and the crowd getting louder with every big play.
Moses Wright played a historic game for Zalgiris, scoring 16 points along with a career-high 18 rebounds and led the home team with a performance index rating of 43. Sylvain Francisco was even more efficient with 21 points, including some crucial ones, and Maodo Lo also added 21.
Wright’s impact in the first half alone was extraordinary. He already had an index of 29 by halftime — a number that captures not just scoring but the total range of his contribution across every possession. Rebounds, screens, defensive rotations, putbacks — Wright was everywhere. Paris had no answer for him down low.
In the first half, both teams were scoring well, but Zalgiris, led by Wright, took the lead 53-45. An eight-point halftime advantage felt meaningful, though with Paris’ ability to string together runs in a hurry, nobody in the building was comfortable.
Second Half: Paris Fight Back, Francisco Closes the Door
Paris came out of the locker room with purpose. Justin Robinson — their most creative playmaker — started finding rhythm. Robinson scored 17 points and added 8 assists, while Lamar Stevens added 16 and Nadir Hifi had 14. Paris’ three-point shooting was hot throughout the night, finishing at 42.3% from beyond the arc — the kind of number that makes any defence nervous.
The gap narrowed. At moments, it felt like Paris might find a way back into it entirely. The crowd noise became more anxious, more urgent. Every Zalgiris turnover was met with a collective intake of breath.
This is where Francisco earned his money. The French guard had been good all night but in the final minutes, with the game teetering, he delivered the baskets that mattered. Calm, collected, completely in control of the moment. His 21 points — spread across the full 40 minutes — included several possessions where Zalgiris needed a score and he provided one.
Zalgiris’ superior performance index rating of 105 to Paris’ 86, and their 51.2% two-point shooting reflected how thoroughly they controlled the inside game throughout. While Paris hit their threes, Zalgiris dominated the paint — and in a game this close, that interior control was the difference.
The final margin: six points. 85-79. Zalgiris survive the scare, Paris’ season ends.
Paris: A Season That Deserved Better
There is real sadness in the Paris Basketball story ending here. This was a team that genuinely reinvented itself mid-season, shifted tactical identity under a new coaching staff, and played some of the most exciting basketball in the competition in the second half of the campaign.
Robinson was terrific throughout the year. Hifi was a constant threat from range. Stevens gave them physical presence. But they came into Round 38 needing too many results to go their way, and in the end it was not enough.
Their final regular season record does not tell the full story of a campaign that had genuine moments of quality. The Play-In that might have given them another chance remains just out of reach. For Julius Thomas and this group, the work continues in the off-season.
What Comes Next for Zalgiris
Whether Zalgiris finish fifth or sixth depends on the Monaco-Hapoel result. Either way, they are in the playoffs — a direct quarterfinal series against one of the EuroLeague’s heavyweight clubs.
For Masiulis, this was the validation of everything his team had built across 38 rounds. Zalgiris are not the biggest budget club in the competition. They are not expected to go deep into the playoffs every season. But Thursday night proved they belong in this conversation, and Moses Wright’s career-high rebounding performance — 18 boards in a playoff-clinching game — will be remembered in Kaunas for a very long time.
The crowd at Žalgirio Arena gave them a standing ovation at the final buzzer. They had earned every second of it.
For live EuroLeague coverage and play-off updates, visit fawanews.org.uk. Full standings, results and bracket details are available at the official EuroLeague website.
Match Summary
Zalgiris Kaunas 85-79 Paris Basketball EuroLeague, Round 38 | Thursday, 17 April 2026 Žalgirio Arena, Kaunas, Lithuania
Half-time: Zalgiris 53-45 Paris
Top Scorers — Zalgiris: Sylvain Francisco 21 pts | Maodo Lo 21 pts | Moses Wright 16 pts, 18 reb (career-high), PIR 43
Top Scorers — Paris: Justin Robinson 17 pts, 8 ast | Lamar Stevens 16 pts | Nadir Hifi 14 pts
Key Stats: Zalgiris two-point shooting 51.2% | Paris three-point shooting 42.3% | Performance Index: Zalgiris 105 — Paris 86
Zalgiris end regular season: Direct playoff spot — 5th or 6th seed (pending Monaco result) Paris Basketball: Eliminated from postseason contention
