Baskonia didn’t need overtime — just one last, composed closing stretch. On Friday night at Fernando Buesa Arena, the hosts outlasted Real Madrid 98-96 behind a decisive fourth-quarter surge, turning a one-possession game into a statement win in the EuroLeague’s 2025 season.
How it happened
The game was fast from the opening tip. Baskonia took the first punch and landed back harder, winning the first quarter 29-27. Real Madrid’s offense stayed in rhythm in the second, outscoring Baskonia 26-19 to take a 53-48 halftime lead.
Baskonia responded immediately after the break. A 25-23 third quarter trimmed the margin to three, setting up a closing frame where execution mattered more than pace. Baskonia delivered: 25-20 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback and secure the 98-96 final.
Turning point: Baskonia’s fourth-quarter control
With the margins tight all night, Baskonia’s ability to win the final 10 minutes was the separator. After trailing at halftime and still chasing after three, the home side’s 25-point fourth quarter provided the finishing edge — not by blowing the game open, but by consistently winning the possession battle when it mattered most.
Team notes: contrasting styles in the box score
Real Madrid finished with 22 assists, a clear indicator of their ball movement and creation through passing. Baskonia countered with 13 assists, suggesting a more direct approach to generating offense — fewer table-setters, more emphasis on individual creation and shot-making within possessions.
What it means going forward
For Baskonia (11-24), the win is a jolt of momentum at home, especially against a Real Madrid team that entered with a 22-13 record. It also continues a recent swing in form (WWLLL coming in), showing they can still close games against elite opposition when the fourth quarter tightens.
For Real Madrid (22-13), the loss is the kind that stings because the structure was there — the assist volume points to quality process — but the finish wasn’t. Dropping a three-point lead after three and losing the fourth by five underscores how thin the margins are when the game turns into late-clock execution.