Uralmash Ekaterinburg claimed an important 84-71 home win over Lokomotiv Kuban in the VTB United League on January 29, 2026. The victory, secured through disciplined defense and efficient scoring, marked a statement result for Uralmash in their pursuit of a playoff spot. Uralmash set the tone early with intense on-ball pressure, disrupting Lokomotiv Kuban's offensive sets and building a solid first-half lead. While Lokomotiv Kuban made several runs, cutting the deficit to single digits in the third quarter, Uralmash always had an answer, typically from beyond the arc or at the free-throw line. The home team sealed the game in the final period with a decisive 10-2 run, highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers that broke Lokomotiv's spirit. A standout performance came from Uralmash's power forward, who recorded a double-double and provided crucial interior defense. This result shakes up the middle of the VTB United League table, giving Uralmash a valuable win against a direct competitor for postseason positioning. The match was a testament to Uralmash's growth as a team under their head coach's system.