Valencia Basket Edges Zalgiris Kaunas in Hard-Fought 91-87 Victory at ROIG ARENA

Valencia Claims Crucial Home Victory in Tightly Contested Battle

Valencia Basket secured a vital 91-87 victory over Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 30 of the EuroLeague at the ROIG ARENA on March 5, 2026. The home side dominated the opening quarter and built a commanding 12-point halftime lead before being forced to withstand a determined second-half comeback from the Lithuanian visitors. The win extends Valencia's impressive recent form, making it their sixth victory in their last seven games across all competitions.

The Spanish side burst out of the gates with authority, establishing control early in the contest. Valencia's defensive intensity and offensive execution in the first quarter produced a 25-13 advantage, setting the tone for what would prove to be a crucial cushion later in the game. The home team maintained their momentum through the second quarter, adding another 25 points while limiting Zalgiris to 26, taking a 50-39 lead into the halftime break.

Zalgiris Mounts Second-Half Comeback Attempt

The third quarter saw Zalgiris Kaunas begin their fightback in earnest. The visitors outscored Valencia 25-21 in the period, cutting the deficit to single digits and injecting fresh energy into their performance. Moses Wright emerged as a driving force for Zalgiris, demonstrating his prowess in the paint and earning trips to the free-throw line. The American forward's physicality and determination kept the Lithuanian side within striking distance as the game entered its final ten minutes.

The fourth quarter became a tense affair as Zalgiris continued to chip away at Valencia's lead. The visitors posted 23 points in the final frame, their highest-scoring quarter of the game, while holding Valencia to just 20. However, despite their best efforts and several opportunities to close the gap further, Zalgiris could not complete the comeback. Valencia's earlier work in building that substantial first-half advantage proved decisive, as the home team managed to protect their lead through clutch plays and solid free-throw shooting down the stretch.

Wright and Sleva Lead Zalgiris Effort

Moses Wright delivered an outstanding performance for the visitors, recording a game-high efficiency rating of 27. The 207-cm forward finished with 20 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting from two-point range, adding nine rebounds, one assist, and drawing five fouls in nearly 28 minutes of action. Wright's ability to attack the basket and convert at the free-throw line, where he made six of seven attempts, kept Zalgiris competitive throughout the contest.

Dustin Sleva provided valuable support with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 23 minutes. The American forward showcased his versatility by knocking down three three-pointers on five attempts while also contributing on the defensive end with a steal. His efficiency rating of 16 reflected his all-around impact on the game. Ignas Brazdeikis came off the bench to add 13 points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, demonstrating the kind of scoring punch that nearly sparked a complete comeback.

Maodo Lo orchestrated the Zalgiris offense with seven assists while adding nine points on highly efficient 4-of-5 shooting. The German point guard's playmaking ability helped generate quality looks for his teammates, though the visitors struggled at times to convert those opportunities into points. Sylvain Francisco contributed nine points and five assists but struggled with his efficiency, connecting on just three of nine field goal attempts while committing three turnovers.

Valencia's Balanced Attack Proves Decisive

Valencia Basket relied on a balanced scoring attack that saw multiple players reach double figures. Omari Moore led the home side with 16 points on an impressive 7-of-11 shooting from two-point range, recording the team's highest efficiency rating of 18. The American guard added two rebounds, three assists, and drew two fouls in just over 21 minutes off the bench, providing exactly the kind of offensive spark Valencia needed.

Nathan Reuvers was remarkably efficient for Valencia, scoring 12 points on perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field, including one three-pointer. The Hungarian center added three rebounds and two assists in nearly 20 minutes of play, recording an efficiency rating of 18. His ability to convert every scoring opportunity presented to him proved crucial in maintaining Valencia's advantage when Zalgiris threatened to close the gap.

Brancou Badio contributed 11 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 25 minutes as a starter. The Senegalese guard made two three-pointers and provided steady perimeter play throughout the contest. Jaime Pradilla added 10 points on efficient 5-of-7 shooting from inside the arc, along with six rebounds and three assists in nearly 20 minutes, demonstrating his value in Valencia's frontcourt rotation.

Bench Production Makes the Difference

Valencia's bench outscored Zalgiris' reserves significantly, providing the depth that ultimately proved decisive in the tight contest. Kameron Taylor contributed five points, two rebounds, and three assists while drawing five fouls in nearly 23 minutes. His ability to get to the free-throw line and facilitate the offense provided valuable minutes for the home side.

Jean Montero added nine points off the bench, including one three-pointer and perfect 2-of-2 free-throw shooting. The Dominican guard's 21 minutes provided Valencia with additional backcourt scoring and helped maintain offensive continuity when starters needed rest. Matthew Costello chipped in five points, including a three-pointer, along with two rebounds and two blocks in 13 minutes, offering valuable rim protection.

For Zalgiris, Azuolas Tubelis provided nine points, three rebounds, and three assists off the bench but struggled with four turnovers in nearly 15 minutes. Arnas Butkevicius added seven points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting in 13 minutes, while Edgaras Ulanovas contributed two points and two assists in limited action.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown Tells the Story

The game's narrative was clearly defined by Valencia's dominant first half and Zalgiris' spirited second-half response. The home team's 25-13 first quarter advantage established immediate control, as Valencia's defensive pressure forced Zalgiris into difficult shots and limited their offensive flow. The Spanish side's ability to maintain that intensity through the second quarter, winning it 25-26, gave them a comfortable 50-39 halftime cushion.

Zalgiris emerged from the locker room with renewed purpose, outscoring Valencia 25-21 in the third quarter to trim the deficit to seven points heading into the final period. The visitors' improved ball movement and increased defensive intensity made the contest competitive again. The fourth quarter saw Zalgiris post their best offensive output of the game with 23 points, but Valencia's 20 points were just enough to preserve the victory.

Key Statistical Indicators

Valencia's victory was built on superior shooting efficiency in the paint and better overall shot selection. The home team converted their two-point attempts at a higher rate, with players like Omari Moore and Nathan Reuvers combining for perfect or near-perfect shooting performances inside the arc. This interior dominance provided a consistent scoring foundation that Zalgiris struggled to match.

The free-throw line also played a factor, though both teams had opportunities to capitalize. Valencia made the most of their chances when it mattered, with key conversions in the fourth quarter helping seal the victory. The rebounding battle was relatively even, preventing either team from establishing a significant second-chance advantage. Valencia's ability to protect the ball better than Zalgiris in crucial moments helped preserve their lead down the stretch.

Implications for Both Teams

This victory represents an important result for Valencia Basket as they continue their push through the EuroLeague regular season. With wins in six of their last seven games, including impressive road victories over quality opponents, Valencia has established themselves as a team capable of competing with anyone in the competition. The balanced scoring and depth displayed in this game demonstrate the resources head coach has at his disposal.

For Zalgiris Kaunas, the loss ends a three-game winning streak and represents a missed opportunity to secure a road victory against a quality opponent. However, the team's second-half performance and ability to nearly overcome a double-digit deficit shows the fighting spirit that has characterized their season. The contributions from Moses Wright and the bench unit provide encouraging signs for upcoming contests.

The officiating crew of Damir Javor, Joseph Bissang, and Piotr Pastusiak maintained control of a physical contest that remained competitive throughout. Both teams finished with manageable foul totals, allowing the game to flow and maintaining its intensity without excessive stoppages. As both teams look ahead to their remaining regular season fixtures, this game served as another example of the competitive balance that defines EuroLeague basketball, where early deficits can be overcome but strong starts often prove decisive.