In a high-scoring thriller that pushed both teams to their limits, Gytis Radzevičius delivered a career-defining performance to assist Baskonia secure a narrow 101-98 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv. The win, achieved on home soil in Vitoria, was punctuated by a standout effort from the 30-year-old Lithuanian forward, who proved instrumental in maintaining Baskonia’s edge throughout a volatile contest.
Radzevičius, who earned a spot in the starting lineup, played 21 minutes and recorded 17 performance index rating points, marking his most efficient outing in the EuroLeague to date. He contributed 11 points, fueled by a strong 4-of-5 shooting performance from two-point range, while adding six rebounds and two assists to his stat line.
The victory is a critical momentum builder for Baskonia, which currently holds a 12-24 record. For Radzevičius, this game represents a personal milestone, surpassing his previous best efficiency mark of 16 points set during a previous clash with Monaco.
A Late Surge and the Battle for Control
The game was characterized by dramatic swings in momentum. While Baskonia managed to keep the game within reach through the first half, the third quarter saw a massive surge, with the home team outscoring the visitors 40-19. This dominant stretch gave Baskonia a comfortable cushion heading into the final period.
However, the closing minutes threatened to erase that lead. With just 1:16 remaining on the clock, Baskonia held a 9-point lead at 98-89. Maccabi responded with a clinical 7-0 run, narrowing the gap to just two points (96-98) as the game entered its final minute. Despite the mounting pressure and the surge from the Israeli side, Baskonia maintained their composure to shut the door on a Maccabi comeback.
The efficiency of the Baskonia offense was anchored by Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, who led the team with 21 points. Luwawu-Cabarrot was nearly perfect from the field, shooting 7-of-8 on two-pointers and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, finishing with a team-high 26 efficiency points.
Maccabi’s Offensive Powerhouse and Current Standing
Despite the loss, Maccabi Tel Aviv displayed significant offensive firepower, with three players scoring over 20 points each. Jimmy Clark led the charge with 26 points and a 29 efficiency rating, supported by Lonnie Walker IV with 23 points and Roman Sorkin with 22 points. Together, this trio accounted for 71 of Maccabi’s 98 total points, illustrating a heavy reliance on their primary scorers.
The result leaves Maccabi in 12th place in the standings. The team is now entering a critical final stretch of the regular season, where every possession carries weight for their final ranking.
| Player | Team | Points | Efficiency (PIR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot | Baskonia | 21 | 26 |
| Gytis Radzevičius | Baskonia | 11 | 17 |
| Jimmy Clark | Maccabi | 26 | 29 |
| Roman Sorkin | Maccabi | 22 | 30 |
Roadmap for the Final Regular Season Stretch
Both teams now face a series of pivotal matchups to close out the season. For Baskonia, the focus shifts to the road, where they will look to carry the energy from the Vitoria victory into two challenging environments.
Maccabi’s path is equally demanding, with three remaining fixtures that will determine their final position in the EuroLeague table. The Israeli side will face Paris on April 9, followed by a clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv on April 12, and concluding with a game against Virtus Bologna on April 16.
Baskonia’s remaining schedule includes an away game against Virtus Bologna on April 10 and a final regular-season encounter with Partizan Belgrade on April 16. These games will serve as the final litmus test for the squad’s chemistry and the continued integration of players like Radzevičius into the primary rotation.
As the regular season winds down, the focus for both clubs remains on maximizing their efficiency and securing the best possible seeding. The ability of role players to step up—as Radzevičius did in this victory—will likely be the deciding factor in how these teams fare in their final outings.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on Radzevičius’s performance and the EuroLeague standings in the comments below.
