Baskonia extends winning streak with narrow victory over struggling BAXI Manresa (83-88)
Luwawu-Cabarrot drives to the cup and scores for Baskonia Photo Credit: Baskonia Basketball
Baskonia maintained their impressive momentum this Sunday, claiming a crucial 83-88 victory over BAXI Manresa in a tightly contested encounter. The visitors’ triumph was sealed by a decisive 2-11 run in the final minutes, with standout performances from Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (27 points) and Trent Forrest (20 points) proving the difference.
Trent Forrest, el azulgrana más valorado del partido 🔵🔴
🔥 25 de valoración
🏀 20 puntos
💪 7 rebotes pic.twitter.com/K1YIoKqc63— Kosner Baskonia (@Baskonia) April 5, 2026
The victory moves the Vitoria-based team to an impressive 18-7 record, level on points with second-placed Valencia Basket. Meanwhile, Manresa’s struggles continue as they suffer their fourth consecutive league defeat, leaving them dangerously close to the relegation zone with just a three-win cushion.
Early promise fades for Manresa
Despite their precarious position, Manresa started brightly, desperate to distance themselves from the relegation battle. Reyes and Brooks spearheaded an early 14-6 run within four minutes, establishing territorial dominance against a cold-shooting Baskonia side.
Coach Galbiati responded by introducing Diakite and Luwawu-Cabarrot from the bench to revitalize his team’s stagnant offense. While the visitors gained more attacking threat and options, their shooting accuracy remained poor (6/13 from the field), allowing Manresa to maintain a slim 25-21 advantage after the first quarter.
Cortesía de Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot 💥 pic.twitter.com/S4zVQVBYa5
— Kosner Baskonia (@Baskonia) April 5, 2026
The second quarter proved challenging for both teams, with frequent interruptions, offensive fouls, and physical play creating a more congested affair. Both sides reached the bonus situation within just four minutes, and scoring dropped significantly, sustained primarily through free throws. Baskonia claimed their first lead at 31-32 in the 16th minute, capitalizing on Manresa’s disastrous 3-point shooting (0/6 in the second quarter). The visitors took a 41-44 advantage into halftime.
Baskonia pulls away despite Manresa’s late surge
The halftime break failed to clarify Manresa’s ideas, and their situation worsened when Simmons suffered an ankle injury, adding to the Copa del Rey champions’ lengthy injury list. Baskonia punished every mistake and opened the first significant gap at 46-54 in the 25th minute.
Manresa desperately needed a response, and Ubal‘s 3-pointer after minutes of perimeter chaos provided the necessary spark for a comeback attempt. Duke Jr., making his debut for the Bages capital team, announced his arrival with a thunderous dunk, initiating a 13-4 run that leveled proceedings. However, despite their valiant efforts, Manresa couldn’t complete the turnaround as Baskonia’s experience and quality ultimately prevailed in the closing stages.
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