Barcelona Edges Valencia 113-112 in a Thrilling Endesa Finals Game 1
Barcelona claimed a dramatic one-point victory over Valencia in Game 1 of the Endesa Finals Photo Credit: Barca Basket
The 2025-2026 Endesa Finals are off to a spectacular start. On June 18, Barcelona survived a heart-pounding battle against Valencia, winning Game 1 by the slimmest of margins, 113-112. One point separated the two sides at the final buzzer, setting the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested championship series.
Clyburn and Laprovittola Lead a Balanced Barcelona Attack
Barcelona’s success in Game 1 came from a well-distributed offensive effort. Will Clyburn led the way with 21 points and 3 rebounds in under 27 minutes, proving decisive in a game decided by a single possession. Nicolas Laprovittola was equally impressive, contributing 20 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds in an efficient 28-minute outing. Joel Parra added 18 points off a dynamic performance, while Kevin Punter chipped in 14 points and 4 assists in nearly 32 minutes. Tornike Shengelia rounded out the top contributors with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, providing the kind of versatile two-way play Barcelona relies on.
With five players scoring in double figures, Barcelona demonstrated exactly the kind of collective depth that makes them a difficult team to defend. No single player needed to carry the load, and that balance ultimately made the difference in a game that went down to the wire.
Montero Shines but Valencia Falls Just Short
Valencia had every reason to believe they could steal Game 1. Jean Montero was outstanding, finishing with 24 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds in 33 minutes. The young guard was Valencia’s engine throughout the contest and gave his team a real chance to win on the road. Brancou Badio was equally dangerous, pouring in 20 points in 31 minutes to give Valencia a potent one-two punch.
The American contingent also contributed. Kameron Taylor posted 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Braxton Key matched him with 13 points and 4 rebounds. Jaime Pradilla added 10 points and 7 rebounds to give Valencia solid interior presence. Despite all that firepower, Valencia came up one point short, a painful margin that will fuel their preparation heading into Game 2.
The series is now firmly alive, with Valencia knowing they have the offensive weapons to compete with Barcelona. But the Blaugrana have shown they can win in the tightest of moments — and in a Finals series, that kind of composure is invaluable.
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