The Real Madrid team endured a dramatic comeback during their Euroleague clash at the Anadolu Efes arena, overcoming a 17-point deficit to narrow the gap late in the fourth quarter. The final moments became a tense scramble as Madrid pressed relentlessly, determined to overturn the scoreboard in a battle that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
The game opened with a balanced rhythm as Micic orchestrated the Efes attack from the top of the arc while Musa operated inside, and the visitors moved the ball with purpose. A scoring sequence that reached 10-10 set the stage for an early burst by Real Madrid, who used a 2-8 run to limit Pleiss and then trimmed the opposition with a long-range reply from Tavares. Soon after, deck nailed a timely three that signaled Madrid’s growing control, creating a modest five-point cushion by the end of the first quarter as the clock read 18-24 with ten minutes on the board.
Back on the floor, Larkin and Musa traded baskets, keeping the margin steady. A late push from the Turkish side, fueled by Clayburn’s three and a Dunston jumper, brought Efes within two and forced a timeout from coach Chus Mateo. Real Madrid steadied the ship with a 4-10 sequence, reestablishing a wider lead that reached its apex at 31-39 midway through the second period. Efes, buoyed by Abalde’s foul trouble and a burst from Pleiss and Singleton, shifted momentum and staged an 11-0 run that flipped the scoreboard to 42-39 at halftime, setting a dramatic tone for the second half.
The action intensified after the break as Madrid briefly rallied with Musa delivering a crucial triple to pull even, but Efes found their mark from beyond the arc, opening the third act by sinking 21 straight points from long range. The Portuguese home team clung to patience and sustained pressure, yet the relentless offense of Efes kept Madrid on the defensive. A sequence that featured a tactical timeout and a series of free throws rejuvenated the Turkish squad, followed by a thunderous dunk from Dunston that widened the margin to 17 at one point in the quarter.
As the final ten minutes approached, Real Madrid appeared to summon its last reserves of resolve. A 2-15 start, buoyed by triples from Rudy Fernández, Yabusele, and Sergio Rodríguez, reduced the gap to four points, 79-75, with under two minutes remaining. Yabusele then delivered a late surge that briefly flipped the script, but Larkin answered with a clutch outside shot to restore a slim advantage for Efes. The rim became a stage for drama—Madrid’s seventh field goal in rapid succession, punctuated by a 0-5 burst in eleven seconds, kept the dream alive. Still, the clock favored Efes as the final seconds ticked away and the scoreline remained stubbornly close.
Data sheet
90 – Anadolu Efes (18+24+35+13): Micic (10), Clyburn (15), Bryant (17), Singleton (11), Pleiss (11) -top five-, Larkin (18), Gazi (-), M’Baye (-), Dunston (8).
89 – Real Madrid (24+15+21+29): Hanga (2), Musa (16), Hezonja (8), Deck (15), Tavares (13) -five starts-, Poirier (5), Yabusele (8), Abalde (-), Sergio Rodríguez (14), Causeur (3), Rudy Fernandez (3), Cornelie (2).
referees: Ilija Belosevic, Carmelo Paternico and Mario Majkic. Dunston fouled out with five personals near the end of the game.
The match, played on the 24th day of the Euroleague, took place at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, a venue whose schedule was adjusted in response to the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The night delivered a compelling showcase of resilience, high-level plays, and a twist-filled finale that will linger in the memory of fans of both clubs.