PAOK B.C. edged AEK B.C. 65-62 in a tense, low-scoring Greek Basket League derby on Saturday, October 24, 2026, relying on late defensive stops and clutch free throws to hold off their rivals.

Final score: PAOK B.C. 65, AEK B.C. 62.

Match overview

This was never going to be a shootout. Both teams prioritized defense from the opening possession, contesting every shot and making the paint difficult to access. PAOK and AEK traded small runs, but neither side could build a comfortable lead.

The game was characterized by physical play, loose-ball scrambles and a slow, deliberate half-court tempo. AEK’s interior defense held up for long stretches, while PAOK’s guards did a good job of limiting clean looks from the perimeter. With both teams shooting under pressure, every basket felt significant.

Key moments

The final two minutes were packed with tension. PAOK held a narrow lead and managed to convert several important free throws, but AEK refused to go away. The visitors had a look at a potential tying three-pointer in the closing seconds, but the attempt fell short, allowing PAOK to secure the derby win.

Before that final possession, PAOK’s best moment came on the defensive end, when they forced AEK into a contested shot late in the shot clock. That stop gave the home side just enough breathing room to close the game out.

Tactical story

PAOK B.C. won this game with patience and defense. The home side did not force many difficult shots early in possessions and instead worked the ball until an opening appeared. Defensively, PAOK collapsed into the paint effectively and made AEK earn every point.

AEK B.C. competed hard on the boards and kept the game close with second-chance points, but their half-court offense lacked fluidity at times. The visitors struggled to generate easy baskets against PAOK’s set defense, and that proved costly in a game decided by a single possession.

• PAOK’s half-court defense: The home side limited AEK’s clean looks from beyond the arc.
• Free-throw execution: PAOK made key foul shots in the final minutes.
• AEK’s late shooting: The visitors could not convert their final tying attempt.

Standout performers

PAOK’s backcourt was central to the win, controlling the tempo and making important decisions down the stretch. The home side’s wing players also contributed crucial defensive possessions, closing out on shooters and helping on drives.

For AEK, the center was a strong presence inside, scoring through contact and protecting the rim. AEK’s guards fought hard on defense, but the team needed one more made shot in the final minute to force overtime.

Greek Basket League impact

A 65-62 derby win carries extra weight in the Greek Basket League standings. PAOK B.C. will take confidence from winning a physical, low-scoring game against AEK B.C., while AEK will be frustrated by another close result that slipped away. In a rivalry game with so little separating the teams, PAOK’s late execution made the difference.