ÉB Pau-Orthez edged out Chalons-Reims 89-87 in a thrilling Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro B encounter on May 26, 2026, at the Palais des Sports de Pau. The home side held their nerve in a tense final minute to secure a vital two-point victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the highly competitive French second division.

Match Overview

The contest was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip, with both teams showing sharp offensive execution. Pau-Orthez, playing in front of a passionate home crowd, jumped out to an early lead, but Chalons-Reims responded with a strong second quarter to tie the game at halftime. The second half featured multiple lead changes, with neither team able to pull away by more than six points. The game ultimately came down to crucial free‑throw shooting and defensive stops in the closing seconds.

Key Moments

• First quarter: Pau-Orthez started aggressively, converting three consecutive three‑pointers to build a 28‑20 lead.
• Third quarter surge: Chalons-Reims came out of the locker room with renewed energy, using a 10‑2 run to take a 55‑53 advantage.
• Clutch finish: With 12 seconds remaining and the score tied at 87, Pau-Orthez’s guard drew a foul and calmly sank both free throws. Chalons-Reims missed a contested three‑point attempt at the buzzer.

Tactical Story

Pau-Orthez relied on a fast‑paced transition game and effective pick‑and‑roll actions to generate high‑percentage looks. Their perimeter shooting was a decisive factor, hitting 12 of 28 three‑point attempts (42.9%). Chalons-Reims countered with strong interior scoring and offensive rebounding, but turnovers in the final two minutes proved costly. Pau‑Orthez’s switching defense disrupted Chalons-Reims’ rhythm in the half‑court, forcing them into difficult isolation plays down the stretch.

Standout Players

• Pau-Orthez: The home team’s point guard recorded 24 points and 7 assists, controlling the tempo throughout. His veteran presence in the clutch was invaluable.
• Chalons-Reims: A forward from the visiting side poured in 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but lacked sufficient support from his teammates in the final minutes.

Impact on the Standings

With this win, ÉB Pau-Orthez improved to a 15‑13 record, strengthening their position inside the top eight playoff places. Chalons-Reims dropped to 14‑14, remaining on the playoff bubble. The result adds extra significance to the upcoming head‑to‑head meetings between these two sides in the final weeks of the LNB Pro B regular season.