Real Madrid secured a critical 74-69 road victory over Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on Thursday at Ulker Sports and Event Hall, completing a season sweep and tightening the race for playoff positioning in the 2025-26 EuroLeague regular season.
The result left both teams with identical 23-14 records with one game remaining, but it also extended Fenerbahce’s recent struggles as the Turkish club dropped another key contest down the stretch.
Fenerbahce started strong in front of its home crowd and closed the first quarter with a 21-19 lead. The hosts quickly stretched the margin to 29-21 behind Brandon Boston Jr., who attacked the basket early and often.
Boston delivered the best scoring night of his EuroLeague career with 21 points. His production kept the home team in control during the opening stages.
Real Madrid shifted momentum by attacking the paint through Walter Tavares. Mario Hezonja and Gabriel Deck provided support during an 11-0 run that pushed the visitors ahead 32-29.
Facundo Campazzo briefly exited after picking up two quick fouls and venting his frustration in the tunnel. The Argentine guard returned to steady the offense and helped Real reach halftime with a 40-34 advantage.
Three-point shooting created the early separation. Real Madrid knocked down 5 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc in the first half, while Fenerbahce struggled from long range by making only 3 of 17 shots.
Campazzo maintained the momentum after the break. His fourth three-pointer early in the third quarter pushed Real ahead 51-46.
Fenerbahce responded with a strong push of its own. Boston, Nicolo Melli and Wade Baldwin IV scored all the points during a 12-0 run that lifted the hosts to a 58-54 lead entering the final quarter.
The Spanish side regrouped defensively in the fourth. Real limited Fenerbahce to 11 points in the period while forcing five turnovers and allowing just two assists.
Trey Lyles carried the offense during the decisive stretch. The forward scored three consecutive baskets to bring Real back level at 65-65 with under three minutes remaining.
The defining moment came from Hezonja. After missing his first seven three-point attempts, the Croatian forward drilled a critical shot from deep to give Real a 72-66 advantage with 58.3 seconds left.
Boston answered with a three-pointer after a timeout, but Lyles sealed the win with a turnaround jumper with 33 seconds remaining.
Campazzo finished with 15 points to lead the winners. Lyles and Tavares added 12 points each, while Hezonja scored nine but delivered the decisive basket late.
Both teams officially secured playoff spots later Thursday after Valencia defeated Panathinaikos. Real Madrid will host Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade on April 16 in its regular-season finale, while Fenerbahce travels to face LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on the same day.
