Almaty secured a hard-fought 85–76 victory over Barsy Atyrau in a National League clash played on May 24, 2026. The home side used a dominant second-half surge to overcome a stubborn Atyrau outfit, improving their record in the highly competitive Kazakh basketball league. The match, which tipped off at 22:00 local time, saw Almaty lean on a balanced scoring attack and timely defensive stops to pull away in the final quarter.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets with intensity. Barsy Atyrau, known for their physical inside game, kept pace through the first two quarters, trailing by just two points at halftime (44–42). However, Almaty’s depth and perimeter shooting began to tell in the third period. A 12–3 run early in the third frame gave the hosts a double-digit lead they never relinquished. The final score of 85–76 reflected Almaty’s control in the second half, though Atyrau fought until the final buzzer.

Key Moments

• Second-quarter response: After falling behind by seven points midway through the second quarter, Barsy Atyrau responded with a 9–0 spurt to briefly take the lead. Almaty steadied themselves with a three-pointer just before halftime.
• Third-quarter breakaway: Almaty opened the second half with aggressive full-court pressure, forcing three turnovers in the first four minutes. Point guard Nursultan Tleubay orchestrated the run, finishing with a game-high 24 points and 7 assists.
• Fourth-quarter composure: Barsy cut the deficit to six points with 4:30 remaining, but Almaty answered with consecutive baskets from forward Arman Smagulov, who posted 18 points and 11 rebounds. The home team’s free‑throw shooting down the stretch sealed the win.

Standout Performers

Almaty: Nursultan Tleubay (24 pts, 7 ast, 3 stl) was the engine of the offense, while Arman Smagulov (18 pts, 11 reb) provided a double-double. Veteran shooting guard Daniyar Ospan added 15 points off the bench, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

Barsy Atyrau: Center Daulet Bekturganov dominated the paint with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Yerlan Nurgaliyev chipped in 16 points and 5 assists, but the visitors struggled from three-point range (25%) and committed 16 turnovers.

Season Implications

The victory moves Almaty into fourth place in the National League standings, strengthening their playoff positioning. Barsy Atyrau, now eighth, face an uphill battle to climb into the top six. The two teams will meet again on June 12 in Atyrau, a rematch that could prove pivotal in the race for post‑season seeding. Almaty’s ability to close out tight games against direct rivals continues to be a hallmark of their campaign under head coach Alexander Petrov.