Real Madrid reached the Endesa League final by defeating Baskonia 77-85 at the Buesa Arena, and they did so without having their longtime coach Pablo Laso, who had been discharged after a myocardial infarction hours earlier. The team rallied behind Chus Mateo, who kept the game under steady control. Walter Tavares delivered another dominant performance with 23 points, 13 rebounds and a 36 PIR, helping Madrid close out the semi-final against Baskonia. Baldwin stood out for Baskonia with 26 points.
Wade Baldwin IV, an emblematic figure for Baskonia, provided highlights for the home side as the playoffs unfolded in highlights and social media frames. Basket Movistar Plus+ captured the moment from their broadcast, underscoring the tense matchup in the Endesa League playoffs (Media post: June 7, 2022). [citation: Endesa Liga 2022 playoffs]
Baskonia approached the game with determination, recognizing that maintaining a high tempo would be essential to test Whites toughened defense. A Peters bucket gave the home crowd a spark, yet Madrid immediately responded with a physical, practical approach that set the tone for the night.
Tavares quickly asserted himself in the paint, while Hanga began directing play and contributed in transition, forming a productive trio that helped Madrid seize the first lead. The Vitorians had to recalibrate as Madrid used long-range shooting to stretch the floor, with Baldwin trying to narrow the gap as the quarter progressed. The Whites ended the opening period strong, Rudy and Tavares connecting on a late burst that pushed Madrid ahead (14-25 at one point in the frame).
check for Madrid
The visitors from Madrid never relinquished control; they repeatedly hit from distance while maintaining pressure on defense. Despite Baldwin’s efforts to bridge the distance, Madrid closed the first half with a decisive push, featuring a late triple from Rudy and a Tavares sequence that delivered a more comfortable lead (14-25). The end of the period saw Madrid with a 14-25 edge as the tempo dictated the flow of the game.
⛔️ From sheet to paper to footage, because it’s my turn.
5⃣ in the first episode!
@We go #PlayoffLigaEndesaReady for #BreakIt pic.twitter.com/9xamUAknhj
– Endesa League (@ACBCOM) June 7, 2022
Baskonia remained in the game early, but Madrid dominated in the first stretch, outracing them in the pace of play. A 7-0 run from Baskonia briefly sparked life, but Madrid answered with composure. Fontecchio and Baldwin produced a stretch of points that kept Baskonia within striking distance as the halftime horn approached, leaving the score closer but still in Madrid’s favor (36-41).
baskonia trials
Baskonia nudged back into contention thanks to Costello’s timely three and an overall uptick in their offense, but the rhythm tilted back toward Madrid as the game wore on. Madrid slowly expanded its lead, with the white-shirted squad maintaining a firm grip on the scoreboard as the quarter progressed (42-56).
What super power did you get, Walter Tavares? He carried the team with a balance of interior dominance and finishing touch, while Madrid’s depth began to assert itself on the floor. A series of plays prompted a social media showcase, reminding fans of the intensity of playoff basketball in the Endesa League. Endesa League shared highlights that epitomized the challenge of stopping Madrid in this setting (Social post: June 7, 2022). [citation: Endesa Liga 2022 highlights]
Spahija paused the game again to recalibrate, but Madrid appeared to be pulling away as the third quarter unfolded, reaching a maximum lead of 15 points (51-66) thanks to a relentless Tavares. Baskonia’s Baldwin logged 13 points for the period, but the uphill climb remained steep as Madrid pressed on with precision defense and efficient finishing (66-81) after three quarters.
Vitoria’s late push saw them narrow the gap to five (64-69), yet Deck and Hanga reignited Madrid’s offense and expanded the margin to re-establish control (66-81, then 77-85). The final stretch sealed Madrid’s passage to the final and extended Baskonia’s championship chase to another season, as Madrid closed out the game with a decisive series of possessions and defensive stops. The final tally stood at 77-85, leaving Madrid poised to contend for the title in the next round. The night also carried a message of support for the Real Madrid coach who had suffered a heart attack and undergone surgery days earlier, as both teams showed banners in solidarity (Event note: Fernando Buesa Arena, 9,748 spectators). [citation: Endesa Liga 2022 playoffs]
Data sheet:
77 – Bitci Baskonia (14+22+18+24): Baldwin (26), Fontecchio (16), Giedraitis (6), Peters (9) and Enoch (2) -five starters-, Marinkovic (-), Wetzell (3), Granger (10) and Costello (5).
85-Real Madrid (25+16+25+19): Hanga (18), Causeur (14), Deck (17), Yabusele (2) and Tavares (23) – starting with five–, Nuñez (-), Poirier (8), Taylor (-) Randolph (-) and Rudy ( 3).
Referees: Daniel Hierrezuelo, Jordi Aliaga and Juan De Dios Oyón. Baldwin was eliminated due to personal fouls (min. 38). They showed Hanga (min.33) and Baldwin (min.38) the technical foul.
Events: The fifth semi-final match of the Endesa League was played in front of 9,748 spectators at the Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria. Before the start, a moment of silence was held for the Real Madrid coach who had a heart attack and surgery two days earlier. Both teams posed with a banner to support the coach from Vitoria.