Matchday 2 Liga Endesa: Baskonia Takes Lead; Murcia Stuns Barcelona

Kosner Baskonia reclaimed the top spot in Liga Endesa. Paolo Galbiati's side dominated FIATC Girona (118-78) at the Buesa Arena and, with two wins in two games and the best point differential, lead the Liga Endesa for the first time since April 2023. Río Breogán and Real Madrid join them with perfect records in a matchday featuring two overtimes in Galicia, a surprise in Murcia, and one postponement: Asisa Joventut-MoraBanc Andorra will be played on October 14.

Baskonia runs over Girona

Girona held their own in the first quarter (20-26), with Mac McClung providing offensive spark, but Baskonia broke the game open in the second with an 18-3 run sustained by four three-pointers, two from Chris Duarte and two from Márcio Santos. At halftime they led 54-42, and the second half was a festival: nine local players reached nine points and Duarte finished with 19. Girona, coached by Moncho Fernández, arrived in Vitoria after a troubled journey: a storm canceled their flight, they spent the night in Zaragoza and completed the trip by road, and the game started an hour later than scheduled.

Breogán continues their hot streak

Río Breogán won at Nou Congost (95-101) and now has two wins in two games, a start the Lugo club had only achieved five times in their history. Dominik Mavra posted 22 points, 10 assists and a 35 rating, and Luis Casimiro's team came back from an initial 21-9 deficit to lead by 22 (67-89). According to data compiled by El Progreso, Breogán is the first team since Baskonia in 2004 to exceed 100 points in the first two matchdays. At Manresa, Timmy Allen was the game's leading scorer with 30 points and a 35 rating before fouling out.

Real Madrid suffers in Santiago

Real Madrid needed overtime to beat Monbus Obradoiro (107-114). The Santiago side came back from an 11-point deficit and forced extra time with a three-pointer from Ben Childress with 16 seconds left (99-99). In overtime, Jaime Pradilla appeared with a crucial three-pointer, and six perfect free throws, four from Theo Maledon, sealed the game. Maledon (25 points and 38 rating) and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (25) carried a Madrid side that sits 2-0 in Liga Endesa while accumulating a 0-3 record in the EuroLeague.

Murcia stuns Barcelona

UCAM Murcia under Sito Alonso opened their account against Barcelona (100-94) in a nearly full Palacio de los Deportes. The game was tied at halftime (46-46) and Barcelona led entering the final quarter (70-73), but a 10-0 run at the start of the period turned the scoreboard around. Jonah Radebaugh (16 points) and Souley Boum led a balanced attack, with Jean-Marc Pansa posting a double-double. Kevin Punter (18) was Barcelona's leading scorer in the first loss for Aleksandar Sekulic's team, which closed a week with trips to Dubai, Istanbul and Murcia.

Read also

• Leyma Coruña suffers, holds on and celebrates their return, 104-101
• Valencia Basket takes off in Zaragoza (82-97)
• UCAM Murcia beats Barcelona in home debut (100-94)

The champion takes off in Zaragoza

Valencia Basket, who had fallen at home to Lleida in the first matchday, responded at Príncipe Felipe (82-97). Casademont Zaragoza led in the first half (39-36) with Guillem Vives, Gabriel Olaseni and Justin Jaworski (22 points), and entered the final quarter up one. There the champion posted a 15-31 run with a barrage of three-pointers: 14 of 21 in the second half. TJ Shorts finished with 21 points and a 26 rating, and Nikola Mirotic (17) and Josep Puerto (16) completed the surge.

Two road wins with a bitter aftertaste

La Laguna Tenerife spoiled Txus Vidorreta's league debut at Martín Carpena against the team he coached for ten seasons (75-80). An 0-8 run at the start of the final quarter made it 55-67, and although Unicaja got within four points, Jaime Fernández closed out the game. Marcelinho Huertas posted 17 points, 7 assists and a 21 rating; Unicaja remains winless.

Recoletas Salud San Pablo Burgos also won on the road (81-94) and opened their account at Barris Nord, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary. A fourth quarter of 27-38 decided the game, with DJ Steward and Chase Audige each at 20 points. Gerard Encuentra called Lleida's disconnect in the final minute a "disgrace."

Overtime and first home win at the Coliseum

Leyma Coruña celebrated their return to Liga Endesa at home by beating Surne Bilbao twice (104-101). With 89-80 at the 1:30 mark, Bilbao posted a 2-11 run capped by a three-pointer from Darrun Hilliard at the buzzer. In overtime, Alonzo Verge (29 points) and free throws from Caio Pacheco gave Coruña the win, and Bastien Vautier missed only the three-pointer that would have forced another overtime.

What's coming

Matchday 3 is played on October 10 and 11. Saturday opens with Leyma Coruña-Casademont Zaragoza (18:00), and Breogán defends their perfect record against Girona (21:00). Sunday features Barcelona-Valencia (19:00), a rematch of last season's final, and the leader hosts Joventut (17:00), who will arrive without having played their postponed game. Monbus Obradoiro-iLERNA Lleida and Real Madrid-Kids&Us Manresa open Sunday at 12:00.

Matchday 2 Results

Standings after Matchday 2

Leading scorers of the matchday

• 30 points: Timmy Allen (Kids&Us Manresa).
• 29 points: Alonzo Verge (Leyma Coruña).
• 25 points: Theo Maledon and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (Real Madrid).
• 23 points: Ben Childress (Monbus Obradoiro).
• 22 points: Dominik Mavra (Río Breogán) and Justin Jaworski (Casademont Zaragoza).
• 21 points: TJ Shorts (Valencia Basket).
• 20 points: JD Notae (Kids&Us Manresa), DJ Steward and Chase Audige (Recoletas Salud San Pablo Burgos).

Standout stats

• Leader three years later: Baskonia hadn't topped the standings since April 2023.
• Matchday records: Baskonia's 118 points are the highest score, and their +40 against Girona is the largest margin.
• Matchday MVP by rating: Theo Maledon, with 38. Followed by Mavra and Allen, with 35.
• Two overtimes, both in Galicia: Obradoiro-Real Madrid and Leyma Coruña-Surne Bilbao.
• Perfect Galician record in points: Breogán is 2-0, and Obradoiro and Coruña are 1-1.
• Valencia's fourth quarter: 15-31 in Zaragoza, with 14 of 21 three-pointers in the second half.
• Real Madrid, two speeds: 2-0 in Liga Endesa and 0-3 in the EuroLeague.