The Beirut derby between Sagesse Al Hekmeh and Al Riyadi delivered another classic chapter in Lebanese basketball history as Al Riyadi secured a gritty 94–86 victory in front of a packed crowd at the Ghazir Stadium on May 31, 2026. The defending champions weathered a fierce second-half surge from Sagesse to maintain their grip at the top of the Lebanon Federation Libanaise De Basketball standings.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Al Riyadi imposed their defensive intensity, forcing early turnovers and converting them into fast‑break points. The visitors led 28–20 after the first quarter and stretched the margin to 14 points by halftime (52–38). Sagesse, however, refused to roll over. Led by their veteran guard and a renewed defensive energy, the home team clawed back to within three points midway through the fourth quarter.

But the reigning league champions showed their composure. A decisive 12–2 run in the final four minutes, powered by clutch three‑point shooting and relentless rebounding, sealed the 94–86 triumph. Al Riyadi improved to 18–5 on the season, while Sagesse dropped to 14–9.

Key Turning Points

• First‑half dominance: Al Riyadi shot 58% from the floor in the first two quarters, exploiting mismatches inside and knocking down open looks from beyond the arc.
• Sagesse’s third‑quarter revival: The hosts outscored Al Riyadi 28–18 in the third period, forcing six turnovers and holding the visitors to just 35% shooting.
• Clutch execution down the stretch: With the game tied at 82–82 with 5:30 left, Al Riyadi reeled off a 10‑0 run, never allowing Sagesse to regain the lead.

Tactical Story

Sagesse employed a switching man‑to‑man defense early but struggled to contain Al Riyadi’s pick‑and‑roll combinations. The visitors’ backcourt duo carved up the lane for easy layups or kicked out to open shooters. In the second half, Sagesse switched to a zone defense, which disrupted Al Riyadi’s rhythm and sparked the comeback.

Al Riyadi eventually adjusted by spacing the floor and attacking from the elbows, drawing fouls and earning trips to the free‑throw line (22 of 26). The visitors also dominated the glass, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds that led to 16 second‑chance points—a crucial margin in a tight contest.

Standout Performers

• Al Riyadi guard: 28 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds — his ability to create shots in the clutch proved decisive.
• Sagesse forward: 24 points and 12 rebounds — a double‑double that kept his team in the game during the third‑quarter surge.
• Al Riyadi center: 18 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks — dominated the paint and altered multiple Sagesse drives.

Season Impact

The victory strengthens Al Riyadi’s position in the Lebanese Basketball League standings, keeping them within striking distance of the top seed with only a few regular‑season games remaining. For Sagesse, the loss was a missed opportunity to close the gap on the playoff race, though their spirited performance suggests they remain a dangerous opponent in a potential playoff rematch.

The intense rivalry between these two Beirut powerhouses once again produced must‑see basketball, and with the playoffs approaching, both clubs will take away valuable lessons from this high‑stakes encounter.