Zenit Petersburg 81 – 77 Unics Kazan | VTB United League
In a tightly contested VTB United League showdown on May 20, 2026, Zenit Petersburg edged out Unics Kazan 81-77 in front of a passionate home crowd. The victory kept Zenit firmly in the race for top playoff seeding, while Unics saw their momentum halted after a recent strong run.
First Half: Unics Sets the Pace
Unics Kazan came out aggressive, using their experienced backcourt to dictate tempo. Guard Jalen Reynolds attacked the rim early, drawing fouls and keeping Zenit’s defense on edge. By the end of the first quarter, Unics led 22-18. The second quarter saw Zenit tighten their perimeter defense, but Unics forward Mikhail Kulagin knocked down two timely three-pointers to maintain a 42-38 advantage at halftime.
Second Half: Zenit’s Defensive Adjustment
Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual made a crucial adjustment at the break, switching to a zone defense that confused Unics’ ball movement. The home team opened the third quarter with a 10-2 run, catalyzed by Thomas Heurtel’s playmaking and Sergey Karasev’s mid-range shooting. Zenit took a 63-59 lead into the final frame.
Clutch Moments Down the Stretch
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle. Unics’ Isaiah Whitehead scored seven quick points to tie the game at 72-72 with four minutes remaining. But Zenit center Alex Poythress answered with a powerful dunk and a block on the defensive end. With 30 seconds left, Heurtel found Andrey Zubkov for a corner three that put Zenit up 79-75. Unics had a chance to tie, but Kulagin’s contested triple rimmed out, and free throws sealed the 81-77 final.
Standout Performers
- Thomas Heurtel (Zenit): 14 points, 11 assists – orchestrated the offense flawlessly in the second half.
- Alex Poythress (Zenit): 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks – dominant presence inside.
- Jalen Reynolds (Unics): 22 points, 8 rebounds – kept Unics in the game with relentless energy.
Impact on the VTB United League Standings
The win improves Zenit’s record to 22-8, moving them into second place behind CSKA Moscow. Unics drop to 19-11 but remain in the top four. With only six games left in the regular season, every victory is critical for playoff positioning. Zenit’s ability to win close games could prove decisive come postseason.

