Comeback: Maledon Leads Real Madrid Past Malaga and Strong Killian Tillie
Sick against Monaco on Friday night, Théo Maledon was feeling much better two days later to contribute to Real Madrid’s victory against Killian Tillie’s Unicaja Malaga, this Sunday, December 28 in Liga Endesa.
A Controlled Start Before Unicaja’s Revolt
Real Madrid maintained their perfect streak at the Movistar Arena in 2025, defeating Unicaja Málaga (91-82) in a game that long favored the visitors. This victory allows Sergio Scariolo’s men to continue a historic home winning streak in Liga Endesa.
The Madrid side started the game well thanks to Mario Hezonja and Sergio Llull, who scored 12 of their team’s first 14 points. However, Malaga quickly responded with an 8-0 run by Killian Tillie (who once again matched his season scoring record) between quarters, setting the tone for a difficult first half for Real.
The visitors then took control of the game, maintaining a six-point lead before accelerating with a 7-0 run exclusively manufactured by Emir Sulejmanovic. At halftime, Malaga led 54-46, taking advantage of Madrid’s defensive lapses that had allowed 54 points in twenty minutes.
Madrid’s Defensive Response Makes the Difference
Aware of their defensive weaknesses, Real Madrid players made a radical mentality change after halftime. Despite a difficult start to the second half (conceding 2-8, 48-62), the comeback naturally took shape thanks to a spectacular defensive tightening.
Between the 24th and 30th minutes, Madrid allowed only 4 points, transforming a 14-point deficit into a five-point lead (71-66). Alberto Abalde and Usman Garuba were the architects of this comeback, providing the necessary intensity in crucial moments.
The final quarter saw Unicaja attempt to resist, coming back within 3 points thanks to Tillie with seven minutes remaining. But poor three-point shooting after halftime and accumulating fouls ultimately doomed the Andalusians. Theo Maledon (his team’s second-leading scorer with 15 points, 4/8 shooting, and 3 assists in 21 minutes) on offense and Garuba on defense sealed Madrid’s victory in the final minutes.
This victory confirms Real Madrid’s (11 wins and 1 loss in the league) ability to elevate their defensive level when circumstances demand it, preserving an unblemished home record that constitutes one of the most impressive streaks in Liga Endesa history.
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