In a pulsating encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer, Al Riyadi Beirut edged out arch-rivals Sagesse Al Hekmeh Beirut with a nail-biting 92–89 victory in the Lebanon Federation Libanaise De Basketball on the night of 23 July 2026. The match, played in front of a fervent crowd, lived up to its billing as one of the most anticipated fixtures in the Lebanese basketball calendar.

Match Overview

From the opening tip-off, both teams traded baskets with ferocious intensity. Al Riyadi Beirut, known for their disciplined offense and deep bench, came out firing, but Sagesse Al Hekmeh countered with sharp perimeter shooting and aggressive drives to the rim. The first half saw multiple lead changes, with neither side able to establish a double-digit advantage. By halftime, the score stood at 48–46 in favor of the visiting side.

The third quarter proved decisive as Al Riyadi tightened their defense, forcing several turnovers that led to fast-break points. Yet Sagesse, showing remarkable resilience, clawed back each time. The final period was a back-and-forth thriller, with both teams exchanging leads six times in the last five minutes alone.

Key Moments

• Clutch three-pointer: With 1:20 left on the clock and Al Riyadi trailing by one, guard Ahmad Ibrahim drained a step-back triple from the top of the key to put his team up 90–88.
• Game-sealing block: On Sagesse's ensuing possession, center Ali Haidar swatted a layup attempt out of bounds, preserving the lead.
• Free-throw drama: Al Riyadi missed two free throws with 12 seconds left, giving Sagesse a chance to tie, but a contested three-pointer at the buzzer rimmed out.

Tactical Story

Al Riyadi’s coaching staff adjusted their defensive scheme in the second half, switching more aggressively on screens to limit Sagesse’s pick-and-roll effectiveness. Offensively, they exploited mismatches inside, with power forward Will Thomas posting up smaller defenders. Sagesse, meanwhile, relied heavily on guard play, using ball movement to create open looks from beyond the arc. However, they struggled with offensive rebounds in the clutch, allowing Al Riyadi to extend possessions.

Standout Players

• Ahmad Ibrahim (Al Riyadi): Led all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep. He also added 5 assists and 3 steals.
• Ali Haidar (Al Riyadi): Dominated the paint with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, plus 3 blocks.
• Jean Abdel-Nour (Sagesse): A valiant effort with 26 points and 7 boards, but his late miss from three proved costly.

Season & Table Impact

The victory propelled Al Riyadi further up the Lebanon Federation Libanaise De Basketball standings, solidifying their position as title contenders. For Sagesse, the narrow defeat was a blow to their playoff aspirations, though they remain in the hunt. The rivalry between these two Beirut giants continues to deliver high-stakes drama, and this latest chapter will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in recent memory.

As the regular season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Al Riyadi can sustain this momentum and whether Sagesse can bounce back from such a heartbreaking loss.