Bizkaia Bilbao Basket 86 – 80 Basquet Girona
Liga ACB – 24 May 2026

Bizkaia Bilbao Basket delivered a disciplined fourth‑quarter performance to edge out Basquet Girona 86‑80 in a tense Liga ACB clash at the Bilbao Arena. The home side turned a one‑point deficit into a six‑point victory with a 24‑17 final frame, snapping a two‑game losing streak and keeping their playoff hopes firmly alive. Girona, despite a spirited effort from their backcourt, could not contain Bilbao’s inside presence in the closing minutes.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded blows in a fast‑paced contest that saw seven lead changes and seven ties. Bilbao controlled the paint early, outscoring Girona 18‑10 in the first quarter to take a 22‑18 lead. But the visitors responded with a 10‑2 run to start the second period, briefly grabbing a 28‑24 advantage. The first half ended with Girona holding a narrow 43‑42 edge, thanks to sharp shooting from beyond the arc (6‑of‑12 from three‑point range).

After the break, the momentum swung back and forth. Bilbao’s defense tightened in the third quarter, forcing four turnovers that led to easy transition buckets. Yet Girona’s veteran guard duo of Miquel Salvo and Kyle Kuric kept the scoreboard ticking, combining for 18 points in the period. Entering the fourth tied at 66‑66, the stage was set for a nail‑biting finish.

Key Moments

• Third‑quarter surge: With 4:30 left in the third, Bilbao’s Ádám Hanga ignited a 9‑0 run with a steal and fast‑break dunk, giving the hosts a 58‑52 lead.
• Girona’s response: Girona answered immediately with a trio of three‑pointers from Juan Fernández and Kyle Kuric, tying the game at 66‑66 heading into the final quarter.
• Decisive fourth: Trailing 70‑69 with 7:15 to go, Bilbao’s Ilimane Diop scored six straight points in the paint, sparking a 12‑2 run that put the home side ahead 81‑72 with 3:20 remaining. Girona never got closer than four points the rest of the way.

Standout Players

Ilimane Diop was the man of the match for Bilbao, finishing with 18 points (8‑of‑11 shooting), 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. His presence in the low post was overwhelming for Girona’s frontcourt. Ádám Hanga added 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, orchestrating the offense and providing crucial perimeter defense.

For Basquet Girona, Kyle Kuric poured in 22 points (5‑of‑9 from deep) and grabbed 4 boards. Miquel Salvo chipped in with 14 points and 8 assists, but the team shot only 38% from the field in the fourth quarter after a red‑hot start.

Table and Season Impact

The victory lifted Bilbao to a 16‑15 record, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a playoff berth in the highly competitive ACB. Girona, now 14‑17, slipped to 11th place, three games out of the final postseason spot with seven games left. The head‑to‑head tiebreaker now belongs to Bilbao (2‑0 season series), which could prove vital in the congested middle of the standings.

“We stayed composed when it mattered,” said Bilbao head coach Jaume Ponsarnau after the game. “Our defense in the fourth quarter and the work on the glass were the difference. Every win from here on is like a final.”

The loss was particularly costly for Girona, who saw a 3‑game road winning streak snapped. Coach Jordi Fernández lamented his team’s turnovers: “We gave them 17 points off our mistakes. Against a team like Bilbao, you can’t do that and expect to win.”