Isaiah Canaan embraces rivalry in Palau Blaugrana: 'It felt good to get payback' / News - Basketnews.com

Isaiah Canaan reflected on the hostile hospitality in Palau Blaugrauna by remembering the infamous shushing gesture from 2021, revealing how he feels about such treatment from Barcelona fans.

Credit: Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

The history betweenIsaiah Canaanand Palau Blaugrana's crowd dates back to 2021.

On December 22,FC Barcelonahosted UNICS Kazan. With 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter, Canaan hit a 3-pointer, which seemed like a dagger shot that increased UNICS lead to 15 points.

But it wasn't the 3-pointer that sparked hostility towards Canaan. After his shot, the American guard put his finger on his lips, shushing the Palau Blaugrana.

Barcelona fans went nuts and showered Canaan in boos, and to make matters worse, UNICS eventually lost the game.

Last night, Canaan made his return. Even though it wasn't his first game in Palau Blaugrauna, it was definitely the most important one since that visit in 2021.

And this time, the 32-year-old got his revenge after guidingOlympiacos Piraeusto a77-75 winin Game 1 of the EuroLeague playoffs.

More importantly, Canaan made at least a few big plays. The first one was in the 2nd quarter when he hit an incredible 3-pointer inNicolas Lapprovitola'sface after Palau Blaugrana was fired up because of the referees' decision to issueJan Veselyan unsportsmanlike foul.

Then, he dragged Olympiacos from a slump in the 4th quarter by sinking 3 free throws and finally hit another shot from deep at the end, which increased the visitors' lead to 5 points (72-67).

So, after such heroics, was there any temptation to pull off the shush celebration again?

"You know,

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