Barça wins thriller against Valencia

FC Barcelona defeated Valencia 98-94 in a tense Euroleague game during the 9th round, with a clutch basket by Darío Brizuela in the final seconds. The win marked Barça's third victory over Valencia this season and their first loss on the road in the Euroleague.

Key performances from both teams

Justin Robinson scored 22 points for Valencia, while Neal Sako recorded 10 rebounds. On the Barça side, Armoni Brooks scored 26 points, including five three-pointers, and Joel Parra added 19 points with five three-pointers and a strong plus/minus of 24.

Game progression and momentum shifts

Barça started strong, taking a 30-25 lead after ten minutes and 44-42 at halftime. The game remained closely contested until the final quarter, with Valencia trailing by just one point at 69-68. Robinson then took control, scoring 9 of his 22 points in the final two and a half minutes.

Final moments and game-winning play

With 22 seconds left, Dylan Osetkowski missed a free throw that would have given Valencia the lead. Kevin Punter converted both of his free throws, and Armoni Brooks responded with a three-point shot to tie the game at 95-94 with nine seconds left. Brizuela then made the first of his two free throws, missed the second, rebounded the ball, and scored the game-winning basket for a 98-94 final score.

Injuries and absences

Both teams were missing key players. Barça played without Juan Núñez, who had an ankle injury, and Olek Balcerowski, who did not play in the second half. Valencia was without Nikola Mirotic, who had an adductor injury, and Nate Reuvers, who were absent from the lineup.

Xavi Albert's reaction and upcoming matches

Xavi Albert, Valencia's coach, acknowledged Barça's dominance in their three meetings this season. He said they need to bring these matches to the Roig Arena and ensure different outcomes. On Thursday, November 5, Barça will face Hapoël Tel-Aviv in Sofia, while Valencia will travel to Milan for their 10th-round game.