ÉB Pau-Orthez claimed an 85-81 victory over Limoges in a tense Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro A clash on 26 October 2026, winning the latest chapter of one of French basketball’s most familiar rivalries. The game was tied at halftime and remained close until the final minutes, when Pau-Orthez made the decisive plays on their home floor.

Match overview

Pau-Orthez started strongly and took the first quarter 24-20, but Limoges responded with a 23-19 second period to level the score at 43-43 by halftime. The hosts regained control with a 21-18 third quarter to lead 64-61, then held off Limoges in a tense final period, winning it 21-20 to secure the four-point victory.

• Final score: ÉB Pau-Orthez 85, Limoges 81
• Quarter scores: 24-20, 19-23, 21-18, 21-20
• Half-time: Pau-Orthez 43, Limoges 43
• Key period: Pau-Orthez’s 21-18 third quarter

How the game unfolded

Pau-Orthez’s opening quarter was built on aggressive inside play and good ball movement, which created clean looks against Limoges’ defense. Limoges adjusted in the second quarter, tightening their perimeter defense and finding more rhythm at the offensive end. The visitors’ response brought the game level at the break and set up a second half that felt like a playoff contest.

The third quarter proved decisive in the broader flow of the game. Pau-Orthez rediscovered their defensive intensity, limited Limoges’ second-chance opportunities and used a mid-quarter run to move back in front. Limoges kept the pressure on in the fourth, cutting the lead to one possession on several occasions, but Pau-Orthez answered with timely baskets and free throws. The hosts’ composure in the final two minutes ultimately made the difference.

Key moments

The decisive sequence came in the third quarter, when Pau-Orthez put together a run that turned a tied game into a narrow but important lead. Limoges threatened again late in the fourth, but Pau-Orthez’s defensive stops and ability to convert at the foul line kept the visitors at bay. A contested rebound and a composed offensive possession in the closing minute helped the hosts close out the win.

Standout performers

Pau-Orthez’s frontcourt set the tone with physical play in the paint, while the guards managed the game well in the closing stages. Limoges’ backcourt kept the visitors in contention with shot-making and penetration, and their resilience ensured the game remained uncertain until the final whistle. The difference was Pau-Orthez’s ability to make the extra play in key moments.

What it means

The win gives Pau-Orthez bragging rights in a rivalry that always carries extra weight and adds confidence to their Pro A campaign. For Limoges, the defeat is a narrow one against a familiar opponent, and the performance showed enough to suggest they will remain competitive in the league. Both teams will now prepare for their next games, with Pau-Orthez looking to build on a strong home result and Limoges aiming to turn close defeats into victories.