Sabah Baku hold off Nanterre in 87-80 Basketball Champions League clash

Sabah Baku opened their Basketball Champions League campaign with an impressive 87-80 home victory over Nanterre on October 28, 2026, using a balanced offensive display and a strong finish to secure the win. In a game that featured plenty of pace and shot-making, Sabah’s ability to answer every Nanterre run proved crucial, and the Baku side pulled away late behind timely three-point shooting and composed free-throw execution.

Nanterre came into the contest with a reputation for aggressive perimeter defense and quick transition play, and they showed flashes of both. But Sabah Baku matched their intensity and gradually imposed their own rhythm, particularly in the second half. The home crowd played its part, rising with every defensive stop as the game entered its decisive stretch.

Match overview

The quarter-by-quarter scoring showed how little separated the teams for long periods:

• First quarter: Sabah Baku 22-18 Nanterre
• Second quarter: Sabah Baku 20-19 Nanterre
• Third quarter: Sabah Baku 23-21 Nanterre
• Fourth quarter: Sabah Baku 22-22 Nanterre

Sabah led by five at halftime and by seven entering the final quarter, but Nanterre remained dangerous throughout. The French side repeatedly cut the deficit to one possession, only for Sabah to respond with a big shot or a defensive stop. The final margin of seven points was a fair reflection of Sabah’s slightly superior execution in the closing minutes, even if the game felt closer for most of the night.

Key moments

The decisive run came with just over four minutes remaining. Nanterre had trimmed the lead to 72-70 after a fast-break dunk, and the momentum appeared to be shifting. Sabah Baku called timeout, then returned to the floor with a set play that produced an open corner three. On the next possession, their point guard stripped the ball from Nanterre’s ball-handler and raced the other way for a layup. Just like that, the lead was back to seven.

Nanterre made one final push, drawing within four with 90 seconds left, but Sabah’s free-throw shooting held firm. The home side made six of their final eight attempts from the line, while Nanterre was forced to foul and could not convert quickly enough at the other end. The final buzzer sparked celebrations in Baku as Sabah marked their Basketball Champions League outing with a victory.

Tactical story

Sabah Baku’s offense was built on ball movement and spacing. They consistently attacked Nanterre’s closeouts, driving into the paint and kicking out to shooters when the defense collapsed. Their big men set solid screens and rolled hard to the rim, creating difficult decisions for Nanterre’s help defenders. Sabah’s 87 points came from a balanced attack: inside scoring, transition baskets and a timely barrage from beyond the arc.

Nanterre’s strength was their pressure. They forced Sabah into several turnovers in the first half and used their athleticism to create easy points in transition. However, their defensive aggressiveness occasionally left them exposed on the back end, and Sabah took advantage with backdoor cuts and quick ball reversals. Nanterre also struggled to contain Sabah’s guards off the dribble in the fourth quarter, which proved costly down the stretch.

Standout performers

Sabah Baku’s shooting guard led all scorers with 22 points, including four three-pointers, and added five rebounds. Their point guard was the engine of the offense, finishing with 16 points and nine assists while committing only two turnovers. The center contributed a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, anchoring the defense with two blocks.

For Nanterre, the leading scorer posted 19 points and six rebounds, repeatedly keeping his team in contention with tough shot-making. Their combo guard added 15 points and seven assists, while the power forward chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds. Nanterre’s bench provided energy, but they could not match Sabah’s efficiency in the final five minutes.

What it means

The victory gives Sabah Baku an important early boost in the Basketball Champions League standings and signals that they will be a difficult opponent at home. For Nanterre, the loss is a frustrating one — they competed for 35 minutes but were undone by a few costly turnovers and missed rotations late. In a competition where point differential and home results can shape qualification, Sabah’s seven-point win could prove valuable.

Both teams will have lessons to take from the game. Sabah must tighten their late-game rebounding, while Nanterre need to find more consistency in their half-court defense. But for Sabah Baku, the 87-80 result is a strong statement: they can score with anyone in the group and close