Liga Endesa Finals: Valencia Basket Takes Game 3 and Leads Liga Endesa Finals 2-1 Behind Montero’s Masterclass
Valencia Basket is one win away from the Liga Endesa title. In a tightly contested Game 3 played on June 22, 2026, the Taronges edged FC Barcelona 88-80 to seize a commanding 2-1 lead in the best-of-5 Finals series. With Montero in full control and the American duo of Kameron Taylor and Braxton Key delivering on both ends, Valencia showed the depth and firepower needed to close out games at the highest level.
Montero Delivers a Statement Performance
JEANNNNNNNNNN pic.twitter.com/VT6IKXad3H
— Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) June 22, 2026
Jean Montero was simply unplayable. The Dominican guard poured in 29 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists in just 27 minutes and 42 seconds on the floor. His efficiency in limited minutes was arguably the defining storyline of the night, as Valencia’s coaching staff never needed to overextend their star. Montero’s ability to dictate the tempo and score from all areas of the court left Barcelona’s defense with no answers.
While Montero led the charge, Valencia’s supporting cast rose to the occasion. Kameron Taylor added 13 points and 4 rebounds in 24:36 minutes, while Braxton Key contributed a physical 12 points and 8 rebounds in just 18:24 minutes. Sergio De Larrea also chipped in 13 points off a limited 17:36-minute stint, and Jaime Pradilla rounded out a balanced attack with 9 points and 4 rebounds.
Barcelona’s Response Falls Short
Barcelona was not without its own bright spots. Tornike Shengelia was exceptional, finishing with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in nearly 34 minutes, carrying the offensive load for the Blaugrana. Dario Brizuela added 13 points and Jan Vesely contributed 11, but the collective effort was not enough to match Valencia’s cohesion and depth.
A key subplot of Game 3 was the battle between the American players on each side. Valencia’s Taylor and Key clearly outperformed Barcelona’s Will Clyburn, who finished with just 6 points and 6 rebounds in over 34 minutes. That disparity in production from American contributors proved significant in an 8-point final margin.
Valencia One Win Away from the Title
With a 2-1 series lead and the momentum firmly in their favor, Valencia Basket now controls their own destiny. They need just one more win in the best-of-5 series to claim the Liga Endesa championship. Barcelona, on the other hand, must regroup quickly and find a way to slow down Montero, who has been virtually unstoppable throughout the Finals.
Game 4 will be a must-win for FC Barcelona. If Valencia’s American contingent continues to outperform and Montero keeps operating at this level of efficiency, it is hard to see how the Blaugrana can reverse the series trend.
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