Valencia Basket extended its perfect start to the 2026-27 EuroLeague season with a 93-82 victory over Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv on Thursday at Roig Arena, using 12 three-pointers to secure a fourth consecutive win.
Xavier Albert’s team improved to 4-0, keeping pace with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens at the top of the standings. Hapoel, meanwhile, fell to 2-2 despite Antonio Blakeney’s career-high 30 points.
Valencia set the tone early, making its first four three-point attempts to establish a 12-6 lead. Dylan Osetkowski knocked down two consecutive shots from beyond the arc, while Omari Moore provided a spark off the bench as the hosts maintained control.
TJ Shorts then scored six straight points to help Valencia open a double-digit advantage. The lead grew to 15 points, but Hapoel stayed within reach through its perimeter shooting, particularly Blakeney, who hit four three-pointers in the second quarter, including three in succession.
Hapoel’s six triples in the period helped reduce the deficit to 47-40 at halftime. Blakeney continued his scoring run after the break, adding five consecutive points, but Valencia responded whenever the visitors threatened to make the game close.
Josep Puerto delivered the decisive third-quarter surge with back-to-back three-pointers, helping Valencia build a 74-57 advantage heading into the final period. The hosts had made 10 of their first 19 attempts from deep by that stage, repeatedly punishing Hapoel’s defensive adjustments.
Blakeney continued to carry the visitors offensively, finishing with 30 points on 8-of-11 shooting from three-point range. Elijah Bryant added 12 points and nine rebounds, but Hapoel could not overcome Valencia’s sustained perimeter production.
Osetkowski eventually helped put the game out of reach with another timely three-pointer in the closing stages. Kameron Taylor led Valencia with 17 points, while Shorts contributed 15 points and seven assists. Puerto finished with 11 points, making three of his four attempts from beyond the arc, and Osetkowski added 10 points on 3-of-6 three-point shooting.
Valencia shot 12-of-25 from three-point range (48%), compared with Hapoel’s 12-of-34 (35.3%). The hosts also held a 40-41 disadvantage on the boards but committed only nine turnovers, six fewer than their opponents.
Valencia hosts Olympiacos Piraeus next Tuesday, while Hapoel welcomes Besiktas Istanbul on Wednesday.
