Real Madrid edges Gran Canaria to secure Endesa League semi-final spot

Real Madrid clinched a spot in the Endesa League semi-finals with an 81-89 victory over Gran Canaria, a game that showcased Madrid’s disciplined defense and White’s efficient outside shooting. The win came in a tense finish, with Madrid sealing the win in the final minutes as Tavares remained largely quiet on the stat sheet yet pivotal in the late stages. Joventut now waits in the semi-finals next Tuesday.

Aware of the stakes after their home defeat, Gran Canaria opened the affair with a touch of nervous energy, misfiring on several early attempts while Madrid seized control early (3-8). The Gran Canarian response was immediate, as Brussino drilled two consecutive threes to steady the ship.

With Tavares patrolling the paint, Madrid blocked interior drives, forcing Gran Canaria to lean on perimeter shooting. The strategy paid early dividends for the visitors, who pulled within striking distance (10-16) thanks to Moses’ hot hand.

Yet Lakovic’s squad stayed resilient, answering with another pair of triples from Benite and Balcerowski. A successful sequence from Moses Chus helped Mateo’s crew reclaim momentum and finish the first period ahead (18-21).

Dzanan Musa, nicknamed the Hot Baby for his scoring bursts, provided a spark for Gran Canaria, delivering a trio of three-pointers for the team during the opening stretch. A 3/3 shooting display from deep underscored the Canaries’ resolve as they pressed Madrid early.

Gran Canaria presses on defense

Gran Canaria pushed the tempo and leveraged Slaughter’s efficiency to mount a second defensive surge, notching two quick triples to swing the momentum. Madrid stuttered at times, and with Tavares on the bench, Lakovic’s men exploited gaps to push ahead (29-24), forcing a timeout from Mateo.

White’s response came from the Madrid bench in the form of Hezonja and Llull weaving together a sharp offensive arc, part of a 1-9 burst that regained control for the home side (29-33).

On offense, the pace remained brisk with Madrid maintaining the upper hand. The sequence culminated in a coast-to-coast finish by Hezonja that ended the half with Madrid ahead (37-39).

Beautiful white boots

After the break, Madrid burst out with a quick run, forcing Lakovic to call time as Madrid rattled off a 0-7 run (37-46). Gran Canaria answered with a defensive adjustment and a flurry from Shurna and Slaughter, plus an and-one from Balcerowski, pulling the score back to parity (52-52).

Under Mateo’s guidance, Llull and Sergio Rodríguez sparked a veteran-led push. Tavares and a Moses-Mated trio kept the Whites in command, lifting the lead back to (56-64).

Gran Canaria, re-energized, kept pressing and closed the third period with Sergio Rodríguez’s triple, extending Madrid’s lead but still leaving the door ajar (56-67).

Madrid escapes

Madrid tightened the screws in the fourth, with Chacho Rodríguez orchestrating a string of plays that stretched the advantage and put the series in Madrid’s favor (61-77).

Madrid’s resilience was on full display as Nikolic and a deliberate three from Madrid kept Gran Canaria’s hopes alive, shaping a 73-77 score and prompting a Mateo timeout. Once again, Lakovic’s men pulled within a single possession thanks to Slaughter’s triple (76-77) and a final burst that tied the game at 79-79 amid the raucous arena atmosphere.

Onlookers watched the dramatic momentum shift as Gran Canaria rose to the occasion, but Madrid did not waver. Llull and Goss answered with decisive baskets, and the Whites closed out the game with a late four-basket burst, securing an 81-85 advantage and, with 59 seconds remaining, the win at 81-89 in a hard-fought finish.

The final sequence reflected Madrid’s composure under pressure as Gran Canaria fought valiantly to pull off a comeback, but Madrid maintained focus in the closing moments to seal the victory.

Data sheet:

81 – Gran Canaria (18+19+19+25): Balcerowski 12, Benite 7, Albicy -, Brussino 6, Shurna 5; Nikolic 8, Slaughter 17, Saved 10, Inglis 8, Diop 8.

89 – Real Madrid (21+18+28+22): Williams-Goss 10, Hanga 4, Tavares 12, Yabusele 4, Musa 22; Causeur -, Randolph -, Fernández 3, Hezonja 7, Rodríguez 13, Llull 14, Ndiaye –

referees: Carlos Peruga, Carlos Cortés and Juan de Dios Oyón.

events: The second match of the Endesa League quarter-finals was played at Gran Canaria Arena. Attendance data not provided.