Artūrs Žagars Powers Fenerbahçe to Dominant Istanbul Derby Win Over Anadolu Efes
In a high-stakes Istanbul derby that underscored the current hierarchy of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL), Artūrs Žagars delivered a clinical performance to lead Fenerbahçe to an 89-73 victory over Anadolu Efes on Monday night.
The Latvian point guard proved to be the difference-maker, acting as the engine for a Fenerbahçe squad that continues to distance itself from the rest of the league. In a game defined by tactical discipline and perimeter shooting, Žagars’ ability to control the tempo and penetrate the Efes defense secured a pivotal win for the reigning champions.
The Efficiency of Žagars
Starting in the lineup, Artūrs Žagars played 19 minutes and 1 second, finishing with a team-high efficiency rating of 14. For those less familiar with the metric, efficiency ratings in European basketball aggregate points, rebounds, assists and steals while subtracting misses and turnovers to provide a snapshot of a player’s overall impact on the game.
Žagars finished the night with 10 points, showcasing his range by hitting three of his six attempts from beyond the arc. He also added six assists, two steals, and one rebound, proving that his value extended far beyond the scoring column. His poise under pressure allowed Fenerbahçe to maintain offensive fluidity against a resilient Efes side.
MVP! Arturs Zagars 🆚 Anadolu Efes
19:01 Dakika
10 Sayı (3/6 Üçlük)
6 Asist
2 Top Çalma
1 Ribaund
14 Verimlilik Puanı
— Fener Hoops (@FenerHoopsTr) April 13, 2026
Standings and Tactical Implications
The victory bolsters Fenerbahçe’s position at the summit of the Turkish Super League. With a record of 22 wins and 4 losses, the team remains the clear frontrunner in the BSL. Anadolu Efes, conversely, sits in sixth place with a 16-10 record, struggling to find consistency against the league’s elite.
The matchup was also shaped by roster constraints. Rolands Šmits, a fellow Latvian, was forced to remain outside the Anadolu Efes application for this game due to the league’s foreigner limit—a regulation that often forces coaches to develop difficult decisions regarding which international players can suit up for a given contest.
Under the guidance of head coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Fenerbahçe has cultivated a culture of winning. The team entered this contest as the current EuroLeague and Turkish champions, having also secured the Turkish Cup twice (2025, 2026) and the Turkish Super Cup in 2025.
Key Contributors and Opponent Response
While Žagars provided the leadership and efficiency, Fenerbahçe received significant scoring support from its perimeter and interior threats. Tevlon Horton-Takers led the scoring for the winners with 17 points, while Wade Baldwin contributed 11 points to the cause.
Anadolu Efes found some success in the paint, led by French center Vincent Poirier. Poirier recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to overcome the balanced attack and defensive pressure applied by the Fenerbahçe squad.
| Metric | Artūrs Žagars (Fenerbahçe) |
|---|---|
| Points | 10 (3/6 3PT) |
| Assists | 6 |
| Minutes Played | 19:01 |
| Efficiency Rating | 14 |
| Final Score | 89-73 (Win) |
What’s Next
Fenerbahçe does not have much time to celebrate the derby win. The team shifts its focus immediately to the EuroLeague regular season finale. On Thursday, they will travel to Lyon to face ASVEL, where they will fight for home-court advantage heading into the quarterfinals.
Anadolu Efes will seem to bounce back on Friday as they conclude their international season with a trip to Athens to face Panathinaikos.
Do you think Fenerbahçe’s current form makes them the favorites for another EuroLeague title? Let us know in the comments.
