Radic provides the hero moment as Bilbao Basket edges Barcelona 82-80 in Miribilla
Nikola Radic dressed like a hero this Sunday in Miribilla, delivering an epic victory for Bilbao Basket. He blocked any attempt by Barcelona to take the lead and sealed the result with a clutch three as time expired, securing an 82-80 win in the Endesa League. The hard-fought triumph also denied Barcelona a late advantage, leaving Real Madrid’s recent upset at Lugo a reminder of how volatile the league can be.
Radicevic delivered a decisive moment with 2.4 seconds left, stepping beyond the three-point line for a game-changing long-range shot that left Barcelona stunned at 79-80. The remarkable finish capped a performance where Radicevic repeatedly showed why he is a core contributor for Bilbao Basket.
Earlier, Barcelona had briefly extended a five-point swing in the final minute, pulling ahead to 74-77 before Radicevic and his Bilbao teammates responded. The visitors had built a modest lead, but Bilbao responded with composure to force a razor-thin finish.
Bilbao entered the match dealing with significant injuries, missing Ludde Hakanson, Jeff Withey, and Francis Alonso. Yet the squad showed remarkable depth and resilience, securing their twelfth win of the season. The result keeps Bilbao’s playoff hopes alive while maintaining their ironclad resolve as they eye a potential return to European competition next season.
Barcelona, on the other hand, saw their chances to lead slip away, suffering a second loss in the same week after a Euroleague setback in Milan. The path ahead for Barcelona stands a bit murky as they look toward upcoming matches against lesser rivals like Baskonia and Valencia.
Radicevic logged 11 points and 4 assists, while Manchester-born guard Adam Smith contributed a strong all-around line with 22 points, 4 assists, and a 23 player index rating. Inside, Michale Kyser added 11 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Emir Suleymanovic posted 13 points with 14 rebounds, providing the necessary interior presence. For Barcelona, the output came from Alex Abrines with 17 points, Nicolás Laprovittola with 12 points and 5 assists, and Nikola Mirotic who finished with 13 points.
Satoransky’s last-minute absence due to a right ankle issue left Barcelona relying on Paulí’s timely triple and Laprovittola’s late free throws. Sulejmanovic and Kuric played notable roles early, each contributing in several key moments. Three-pointers from Laprovittola and Mirotic helped Barcelona gain a small edge in the first period, though Bilbao answered with several decisive plays in the ensuing quarters.
As the game progressed, Bilbao briefly led again in the third quarter thanks to a late surge from Smith who drew a 2+1 and pushed the hosts ahead. Barcelona countered with a strong finish to the third, led by Laprovittola and Mirotic, to carry a small advantage into the final quarter.
Two fourth-quarter runs defined the closing stages. The teams traded blows in the early minutes until Barça built a 64-70 advantage through consecutive threes from Mirotic and Abrines. Bilbao responded with tenacity, trimming the deficit and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
With 2 seconds remaining, Radicevic stepped up to convert a decisive triple that gave Bilbao the victory at 82-80. The crowd in Miribilla erupted as the Serbian guard sealed the result with perfect rhythm under pressure.
Data sheet: Bilbao Basket finished with an 18-13-21-30 scoring distribution and Radicevic leading with 11 points, followed by Adam Smith with 22, Rabbasa with 8, Sulejmanovic with 13, and Tsalmpouris with 1. Ubal added 6 while Barandalla, Reyes contributed 8, and Kyser 11. Barcelona posted 22-15-20-23 across the four quarters, with Laprovittola at 12, Paulí at 9, Kuric at 9, Mirotic at 13, and Sanli at 4, while Jokubaitis, Higgins, Abrines, Da Silva, Vesely, and Nnaji contributed in various amounts.
Partial scores read 18-22, 31-37 at halftime, 52-57 after three, and the final 82-80. Referees were Fernando Calatrava, Arnau Padrós, and Carlos Merino. The game took place in front of 8,510 spectators at the Bilbao Arena in Miribilla, and a moment of silence was observed before the tip in memory of a local sports journalist.
Source notes: Endesa League official statistics and event coverage are cited for the match details and box results.