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may 03 2026MADRID. Real Madrid survived an absolutely extraordinary game against UCAM Murcia and prevailed 131-123 after a historic overtime in the Liga Endesa. Mario Hezonja delivered one of the most impressive individual performances in recent years with 40 points and a 53 rating, leading an impossible comeback at the Movistar Arena after the Murcia team came agonizingly close to a legendary upset.
The game started with UCAM Murcia completely unleashed on offense. The team coached by Sito Alonso found advantages from the opening minute and relentlessly punished Real Madrid's weak defense. Led by DeJulius, the visitors began bombing from three-point range while the home team seemed to have their minds on the EuroLeague. Mario Hezonja initially kept the hosts afloat with several high-level offensive plays, but the Murcia team's scoring pace was impossible to contain.
Martin and Forrest also joined UCAM Murcia's offensive showcase, continuously punishing from beyond the arc and forcing Sergio Scariolo to call timeout on several occasions. The absence of key players like Campazzo and especially Edy Tavares was felt by Real Madrid, who were debuting a new interior setup with Alex Len filling in for the injured Cape Verdean center.
The first quarter ended with the visitors ahead, and the situation worsened even more for Real Madrid in a historic second period. UCAM Murcia delivered an unprecedented offensive exhibition at the Movistar Arena, reaching 64 points at halftime after scoring 34 in the second quarter. No team had ever produced such offensive output on Real Madrid's home court in the entire history of the competition.
Trey Lyles then appeared to keep the white team alive. The American power forward strung together ten consecutive points and allowed Real Madrid to slightly reduce the impact of an UCAM Murcia team that continued playing at an extraordinary offensive level. Still, Sito Alonso's squad reached halftime with a commanding lead (50-64).
Far from slowing down after the break, UCAM Murcia continued pounding Real Madrid in the third quarter. DeJulius continued leading the visitors' attack, while Forrest and Martin punished from three-point range again and again. The Murcia team reached an incredible 92 points in just thirty minutes, delivering a historic offensive performance in the Liga Endesa.
However, Real Madrid began to change the game down the stretch. Mario Hezonja took complete offensive control of the home team and began stringing together impossible three-pointers to bring his team closer. The Croatian ignited the Movistar Arena with a spectacular shot from well beyond the arc that put Real Madrid within one point and completely changed the atmosphere of the game.
The finish of regulation was pure elite basketball. UCAM Murcia arrived with a lead on the final possession after missing a crucial free throw, leaving a slim chance for Real Madrid. As it had to be, the ball ended up in Mario Hezonja's hands. The Croatian scored a spectacular basket with a foul and had the chance to complete a historic comeback. However, he missed the free throw and the game went to an incredible overtime tied at 114.
The emotional blow was too much for UCAM Murcia. After delivering one of the best offensive performances in their history, the Murcia team could no longer sustain the pace in the extra period. Real Madrid capitalized on the positive momentum and Mario Hezonja continued punishing the visiting defense mercilessly to seal a memorable victory.
The Croatian finished the game with 40 points and a 53 rating, becoming the great hero of a historic Real Madrid victory in the Liga Endesa. Trey Lyles added 26 points for Sergio Scariolo's team, while DeJulius led UCAM Murcia with 27 points in an offensive performance that deserved a much better result.
Real Madrid thus maintains its strength at the Movistar Arena and adds another important win in the Liga Endesa before refocusing on the demands of the EuroLeague. UCAM Murcia, despite the loss, delivered a historic offensive performance that confirms the enormous competitive level of Sito Alonso's team.
