Spain defeated the Dominican Republic by 86-77 on Saturday, as part of the Ciudad de Granada Tournament. The game served as a final warm-up for the Spanish team coached by Sergio Scariolo ahead of next week’s World Cup in Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia.
The squad saw a key moment when Alberto Díaz exited with a knee hyperextension. He left the floor with noticeable intensity, while Juan Núñez stood out as the top scorer for Spain, contributing 8 points and showing leadership during a pivotal stretch early in the third quarter.
Karl Towns initially faced strong defense from Santi Aldama and was eventually assessed two technical fouls, which energized his team. Spain then endured a 0-12 run that briefly shifted momentum, marking a 10-14 scoreline midway through the first half.
Abrines, a member of the Spanish national team, shared a growing confidence after the game, stating he believes a bit more in the squad now that they are closer to World Cup action.
Dominican Republic had previously defeated Canada on Friday, and the game against Spain featured a fast-paced opening as Usman Garuba contributed well on defense and offense, keeping the score tight through the early stages. The hosts pushed into the second quarter thanks to a more aggressive approach near the basket, with notable drives and quick transitions (Spain led 22-25 at the end of the first). A strong defensive stand allowed Spain to regain the lead by halftime with a 40-36 advantage, helped by consecutive three-pointers from Juancho Hernangómez and Jaime Fernández.
After the break, the Dominican Republic started strong with a 0-8 run to pull within four points. Andrés Feliz led a determined effort, while Spain used a variety of looks, including zone defenses, to maintain a slender margin. At halftime, Spain held a four-point lead, buoyed by steady contributions across the roster.
In the second half Willy Hernangómez found rhythm in the late stages of the third quarter as Jaime Fernández connected from beyond the arc, putting Spain ahead by six as the clock moved into the final period. The Dominican Republic kept pressing, using full-court pressure and aggressive cuts to stay competitive.
With eight minutes remaining, Karl Towns was ejected after two technical fouls, narrowing Spain’s rotation options. Yet the national team managed to extend its advantage, trading points and maintaining composure as the game wound down.
The match capped a demanding timetable for Scariolo’s squad, who distributed minutes to ensure readiness for the World Cup. It offered a practical test ahead of Group play goals and provided valuable insights into rotations, defense, and the balance of experience and youth on the roster.
Data sheet:
Spain, 86 (18+22+28+18): Núñez 16, Abrines 8, Aldama 6, Claver 2, Willy Hernangómez 9, Llull 6, Garuba 7, Juancho Hernangómez 6, Jaime Fernández 6, Parra 11, Brizuela 6, Abalde 3.
Dominican Republic, 77 (21+15+24+17): Feliz 9, Liz 8, Quinones 12, Vargas 4, Towns 17, Mendoza 3, Montero 3, Delgado 7, Figueroa 3, Peña 5, Solano 0, Suero 0, Núñez 3.
Referees: Fernando Calatrava, Raúl Zamorano and Arnau Padrós. Towns was excluded at minute 32 due to two technical fouls.
Highlights: The game, part of the Granada City Tournament in preparation for the World Cup in Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia, drew a crowd of roughly 4,000 at the Palacio de los Deportes in Granada.