Valencia defeated Joventut 118-117 after overtime on their home court in Game 1 of the Liga Endesa semifinals, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Valencia was without Darius Thompson, Yankuba Sima, Xavi Lopez-Arostegui and Josep Puerto for this matchup.
The visitors from Badalona started the game strongly and immediately showed they had not come to surrender. Dani Miret’s team held the lead for most of the opening quarter, while Jean Montero carried Valencia offensively. The hosts managed to turn things around with a 9-0 run in the final two minutes of the period, taking a 26-22 lead.
Ricky Rubio opened the second quarter in excellent fashion, but Montero continued to shine. When Kameron Taylor and Brancou Badio joined the scoring effort, Pedro Martinez’s side created its first significant advantage and it seemed they were beginning to break away from its opponent, as it had done so often this season, but Joventut responded. Led by Ludde Hakanson, the visitors put together a run that completely flipped the game. Valencia answered back, but Cameron Hunt knocked down two three-pointers to give Joventut a 54-51 lead at halftime.
😍 Esos segundos en los que @rickyrubio9 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙩𝙖.
Esos segundos, @Penya1930… #PlayoffLigaEndesa pic.twitter.com/4ubTY3mPuE
— Liga Endesa (@ACBCOM) June 10, 2026
Valencia started the second half much better and regained control of the scoreboard, but Jabari Parker came alive, hitting three three-pointers in the third quarter. Joventut was close to entering the final ten minutes with the lead, but Montero once again stepped up to give Valencia a narrow 79-78 advantage heading into the fourth.
Despite that, Joventut controlled much of the fourth quarter. Rubio and Parker orchestrated the offense, helping the Badalona club build an eight-point lead at one stage. However, Valencia gradually chipped away at the deficit and brought the game back into contention. It appeared that Hunt’s points would secure a road win for the visitors, but Jaime Pradilla drilled a three-pointer to save Valencia and force overtime.
Just as throughout the rest of the game, the overtime period was tightly contested. Hunt and Rubio led the way for Joventut, while Taylor and Montero answered for Valencia. The Puerto Rican guard gave Valencia a slim lead with eight seconds remaining. Hunt then had a chance to win the game for Joventut, but his drive to the basket was stopped.
Montero led the winners with 27 points, while Taylor recorded 19 points and 11 rebounds. For the losing side, Rubio finished with 22 points and 11 assists, while Hunt and Parker each scored 19 points.
Game 2 of the series between Valencia and Joventut is scheduled for June 12, with Valencia once again hosting the contest.
