Walter Tavares made EuroLeague history as Real Madrid defeated Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 86-104 at Buesa Arena on Tuesday, October 27, becoming the competition’s all-time leader in offensive rebounds by passing Kyle Hines.
Tavares finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds, including four offensive boards, as Real improved to 5-3 in the 2026-27 EuroLeague regular season. Theo Maledon led the visitors with 19 points and six assists against one turnover, while Real had six players score in double figures. Baskonia fell to 1-7.
Real established control early, opening the game with an 11-2 run and prompting an early timeout from Baskonia head coach Velimir Perasovic. The visitors attacked the paint, secured defensive rebounds and created transition opportunities to build a 30-19 lead by the end of the first quarter. Nine different Real players scored in the opening period.
Baskonia responded through its bench, with A.J. Lawson and Marcio Santos providing an offensive lift. DJ Stewart converted a three-point play to help cut the deficit, but Real continued to find scoring options across the lineup. Chuma Okeke, Maledon and Alberto Abalde hit three-pointers in the second quarter as the lead grew to 25-41.
Kenneth Faried helped the hosts fight back with a reverse layup and a dunk during a 7-0 run. Stewart added another three-point play, bringing Baskonia within seven points at 37-44. Real answered before halftime, with Okeke contributing a layup and steal before Andres Feliz scored at the buzzer to make it 56-46.
Baskonia emerged from halftime with renewed energy. Lawson and Stefan Joksimovic connected from beyond the arc to bring the hosts within 58-52, briefly disrupting Real’s offensive rhythm. Tavares restored Madrid’s inside presence, while Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored 12 points in the third quarter to help the visitors carry an 82-69 advantage into the final period.
Baskonia made another push through Damion Baugh and Santos, cutting the deficit to 82-74. Maledon responded by finding Tavares for a basket before hitting a corner three-pointer to extend Real’s lead to 87-74 and force another timeout. A Maledon steal later led to a transition three-pointer by Mikael Jantunen, helping Real maintain control through the finish.
Maledon shot 3-of-4 from three-point range and added four rebounds to his 19 points and six assists. Luwawu-Cabarrot finished with 14 points, while Jantunen, Andres Feliz and Damian Jones scored 13, 12 and 13 points, respectively. Tavares recorded a game-high performance index rating of 22.
Lawson and Kobi Simmons led Baskonia with 17 points apiece, while Stewart added 13 and Joksimovic scored 12. Baskonia shot 8-of-23 from three-point range and committed 15 turnovers, compared with Real’s 12. Real also won the rebounding battle 44-36 and made 12 of 29 three-point attempts.
Real Madrid will host Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul on Thursday, October 29, while Baskonia travels to face LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on Friday, October 30.
