KAUNAS — Anadolu Efes Istanbul have ended a three-game losing streak with a convincing 85-70 victory away to Zalgiris Kaunas on Friday, 16 October, securing their first road win of the 2026-27 EuroLeague season and improving to 2-4.
Matthew Strazel led Pablo Laso's side with 19 points and four assists, while Cam Payne added 16 points and four assists and Dario Saric posted 14 points and 10 rebounds. Efes, who had slipped to 1-4 after losing star signing Mike James to a long-term injury, led 21-12 after the opening quarter and 42-36 at half-time before answering Zalgiris cutting the deficit to 43-46 early in the third quarter with a decisive 14-5 run to restore a double-digit cushion.
Efes pulled clear in the fourth quarter to open a 20-point lead, shooting 61% from two-point range on 25 of 41 attempts and edging the rebound battle 38-35. Strazel was efficient on 5-of-12 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line with just one turnover in 24 minutes, while Payne scored eight points in less than three minutes during the third-quarter response and has now reached double figures in every match since arriving as James's replacement. The visitors held their advantage despite losing PJ Dozier to injury shortly after half-time.
Zalgiris struggled for offence, shooting 38.9% on two-point attempts and committing 14 turnovers, with Carsen Edwards top-scoring with 16 points as head coach Tomas Masiulis took responsibility for the display. Both clubs are now 2-4 after six EuroLeague fixtures, with Efes set to host Besiktas in an Istanbul derby next Thursday and Zalgiris welcoming ASVEL on Friday.