Mathias Lessort: If you want to fight, we can do it after the game

Mathias Lessort, center for Panathinaikos, reflected on his past matchups against Filip Petrusev during his time on the podcast 6.75 Range.

When Lessort played for Partizan and Petrusev wore the Crvena Zvezda jersey, their games often featured verbal clashes between the two, and now Lessort shared more details about those moments and his perspective on the situation.

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“Honestly, there was never a conflict. There still isn’t. It was just in the heat of the moment. He plays his way, and I’m a man of my word — if I tell you something, I stick to it. I told him to stop playing like that. I don’t mind the physical aspect, but doing things without reason… For example, I’m at the free-throw line, and he just hits me with an elbow. I’m not even going for the rebound,” Lessort said.

“I know he doesn’t want it to go that way, that things be like that. This isn’t him, really. Just play your game, brother. Play your way; you’re not known for being physical. You’re not known as someone who hits people or likes to be hit. So, let’s not go down that path.

I enjoy it more than you. I don’t mind getting hit, and I hit people. I told him a few times to stop, to play basketball. You’re not going to take me out of the game. I’m finishing the match. If you want to fight, we can after the game. That’s what I told him, really. He kept hitting me.”

Jamar Wilson knows why Partizan is the perfect environment for Miikka Muurinen.

🗣️ It’s like you’re playing for the national team when you wear the Partizan jersey.https://t.co/hFmpjDyEi9

— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) October 2, 2025

“I’m not proud of that moment. I don’t want to send that image to my kids. It’s something I did in the moment. It’s part of my personality; I’m not fake. I won’t say I regret it, but it’s not something I’m proud of,” Lessort added.

With Lessort currently sidelined due to injury, fans can expect renewed battles between him and Petrusev, who now plays for Dubai, a team competing in the EuroLeague for the first time in its history this season.