Olympiacos clinches Greek title as Tyric Jones punches Kendrick Nunn in post-game locker room brawl, prompting lawsuits from both clubs
Olympiacos beat Panathinaikos 89-85 to win its 16th Greek championship, but the night descended into a violent altercation near the locker rooms with punches thrown, a coach erupting on live television, and both clubs preparing legal action.
Title sealed, then chaos
Olympiacos defeated arch-rival Panathinaikos AKTOR 89-85 in the fifth final of the Stoiximan GBL at the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) in Piraeus, securing the club's 16th Greek league title. The victory was immediately overshadowed by a physical clash between Olympiacos center Tyric Jones and Panathinaikos guard Kendrick Nunn, two players who had already been ejected during the third quarter for an on-court altercation.
Locker room blow caught on video
Footage published by sdna.gr showed Jones striking Nunn with a punch in the corridor near the locker rooms after the final buzzer. Security personnel and riot police (MAT) intervened to separate the two Americans as the scene turned chaotic. Panathinaikos claimed Jones entered their locker room area and delivered a punch to Nunn. Olympiacos countered that Nunn had initiated the exchange by grabbing Jones by the throat, and also alleged that another Panathinaikos player, Mathias Lessort, struck a police officer during the melee.
- Third quarter: Jones grabs Nunn by the throat; both players ejected.
- Game ends: Olympiacos wins 89-85.
- Locker room corridor: Jones punches Nunn; video surfaces.
- Police intervention: MAT units separate players.
- Clubs announce plans for lawsuits.
Lawsuits threatened on both sides
Within minutes, both clubs signalled they would pursue criminal complaints. Panathinaikos announced it would file a lawsuit against Tyric Jones for physical assault, while Olympiacos said it intended to sue both Kendrick Nunn and Mathias Lessort. According to Olympiacos, Nunn attacked Jones first and Lessort hit a policeman. The dual legal threats raised the prospect that a championship celebration could spill into courtrooms.
Ataman’s on-air outburst
Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman was giving a post-match interview to state broadcaster ERT when shouting erupted from the direction of the locker rooms. Ataman returned to the reporter in visible fury and let loose.
What is this? Jones hit Nunn. What are these things? Is this Greek basketball? What is Tyric Jones doing? It's a shame!
The Turkish coach had earlier congratulated Olympiacos on its title, but the incident near the dressing rooms changed his tone dramatically.
Police intervention and silence from Nunn
Riot police were deployed to the SEF locker-room area to restore calm. Panathinaikos players then left the arena, while Olympiacos returned to the court for the trophy ceremony. Kendrick Nunn declined to comment to reporters immediately after the clash. The Greek basketball federation had not issued a statement by the time news reports were filed.
