Munich – A compelling reunion is set to unfold tonight at the BMW Welt in Munich as FC Bayern Basketball prepares to host Anadolu Efes Istanbul in a EuroLeague clash. The game, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CET, carries added significance with the return of former Bayern coach Pablo Laso and guard Nick Weiler-Babb to the Bavarian capital. The stakes are high for Bayern, currently 14th in the EuroLeague standings, as they strive to secure a Play-In berth, needing to climb to at least tenth place with only eight games remaining in the regular season.
The matchup pits Bayern against a familiar face in Laso, who coached the club during the 2023/24 season. His arrival at Efes Istanbul in December, however, hasn’t stemmed the tide for the Turkish team, which currently occupies the second-to-last position in the EuroLeague. Adding another layer of intrigue to the contest is the return of Weiler-Babb, a player who donned the Bayern jersey from 2020 to 2025. Despite his past contributions to the club, Weiler-Babb finds himself with a struggling Efes side facing a challenging season.
Bayern’s Pursuit of a Play-In Spot
Bayern’s recent form offers a glimmer of hope. Since the turn of the year, the team has posted an 8-4 record, improving their overall standing to 13-17. This resurgence is largely attributed to the leadership of head coach Svetislav Pesic, who took the helm in December, replacing Gordon Herbert. Herbert’s tenure was marked by a challenging start to the season, including a lengthy stretch of seven consecutive away games, and was further disrupted by a severe bout of COVID-19. During Herbert’s illness, assistant coach T.J. Parker stepped in, but struggled to replicate his success. According to FC Bayern’s official website, Pesic’s arrival has coincided with a marked improvement in Bayern’s performance, winning six of their last ten EuroLeague games.
The pressure is firmly on Bayern to capitalize on home advantage and secure a victory against their former coach. Pesic emphasized the challenge ahead, stating, “We are playing against a team that possesses extreme individual potential. They have had a turbulent season, and Pablo Laso is now trying to establish consistency in their performance. With their quality, they can explode at any time – hopefully not against us.”
Laso’s Return and Efes’ Struggles
Pablo Laso’s appointment at Efes Istanbul was intended to revitalize a team brimming with talent but underperforming on the court. However, the change in leadership has yet to yield the desired results. Efes has lost seven of their last ten games, and the team appears to be facing a difficult path to contention. As reported by Bild, both Bayern and Efes underwent coaching changes this season, highlighting the challenges faced by both organizations.
The return of Nick Weiler-Babb to Munich adds an emotional dimension to the game. The American guard was a key contributor for Bayern from 2020 to 2025, and his presence on the Efes roster will undoubtedly evoke memories for the home fans. Despite his individual talent, Weiler-Babb is currently experiencing a difficult season with Istanbul, as the team struggles to find its footing in the EuroLeague.
Recent History: Bayern’s Cup Victory with Laso
Interestingly, Pablo Laso previously led Bayern to success, guiding them to victory in the 2024 BBL Pokal (German Cup). Bayern defeated Ulm 81-65 in the final, with Sylvain Francisco earning MVP honors after scoring 17 points. Eurobasket.com details the final score and key contributors, including a lineup featuring several current Bayern players such as Vladimir Lucic, Isaac Bonga, Andreas Obst, and, notably, Nick Weiler-Babb, who scored 0 points in that game.
Heute gegen Istanbul: Bayern MUSS gegen Ex-Trainer siegenSpanier Pablo Laso (58) übernahm im Dezember das Traineramt bei Krisen-Klub Efes IstanbulFoto: Anadolu via Getty ImagesBastian Teinert12.03.2026 – 14:55 Uhr Schluss-Spurt in der Basketball-Euroleague: Noch acht Spieltage bleiben bis Play-In-Beginn. Dafür muss mindestens Platz zehn her und dafür MUSS Bayern, aktuell Tabellen-Vierzehnter, heute seinen Ex-Trainer besiegen (20.30 Uhr, live bei Magenta Sport): Pablo Laso, er coachte den FCB in der Saison 2023/24. Mit Nick-Weiler Babb (30) kehrte ein weiterer Efes-Star nach München zurück. Der Guard trug von 2020 bis 2025 das Trikot der Roten, erlebt aktuell mit Istanbul eine Katastrophen-Saison. Das türkische Top-Team, gespickt mit Stars, liegt ziemlich hoffnungsfrei auf dem vorletzten Platz. Foto: DynBeide Teams haben eine wechselvolle Saison in den Knochen, wechselten bereits den Trainer. Bei Bayern übernahm Alt-Meister Svetislav Pesic (76) im Dezember und löste Weltmeister-Coach Gordon Herbert ab. Der Kanadier hatte einen super schweren Herbst mit sieben Auswärtsspielen am Stück zu verkraften, fehlte zudem wegen einer schweren Corona-Erkrankung. Assistenztrainer T.J. Parker vertrat Herbert, hatte dabei nicht das allerbeste Händchen bei seinen Entscheidungen. Pesic brachte die Wende, Bayern gewann sechs der letzten zehn Spiele im Wettbewerb. Efes dagegen vergeigte zuletzt sieben von zehn Spielen und der Trainerwechsel hatte im Gegensatz zu Bayern keinen Effekt. Mit Laso, ebenfalls im Dezember gekommen, ging es weiter bergab. Heute gegen Efes Istanbul: Der FC Bayern Basketball muss gegen Ex-Trainer Pablo Laso siegenPesic: „Wir spielen gegen eine Mannschaft, die extremes individuelles Potenzial besitzt. Sie haben eine turbulente Saison hinter sich und Pablo Laso versucht nun, eine Kontinuität der Leistung herzustellen. Mit ihrer Qualität können sie jederzeit explodieren – hoffentlich nicht gegen uns.“Nick Weiler-Babb (r….
Key Players to Watch
For Bayern, Andreas Obst will be crucial, leveraging his scoring ability and three-point shooting. Vladimir Lucic’s experience and versatility will too be vital. On the Efes side, all eyes will be on Nick Weiler-Babb to see if he can impact the game against his former team. The performance of Efes’ other key players, such as their international stars, will also be a determining factor in the outcome.
The game promises to be a captivating encounter, filled with storylines and emotional resonance. Bayern’s pursuit of a Play-In spot, combined with the return of familiar faces in Laso and Weiler-Babb, sets the stage for a thrilling contest at the BMW Welt. The outcome could significantly impact Bayern’s chances of extending their season and competing for a EuroLeague championship.
Following tonight’s game, Bayern will continue their EuroLeague campaign with a challenging schedule, facing tough opponents as they strive to climb the standings. Fans can stay updated on the team’s progress and schedule through the official FC Bayern Basketball website and EuroLeague channels.
The next confirmed checkpoint is Bayern’s away game against Zalgiris Kaunas on March 19th, 2026. We encourage readers to share their thoughts on the upcoming game and Bayern’s playoff aspirations in the comments below.
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