TJ Shorts revives Valencia and turns the tide against Baskonia

TJ Shorts gave Valencia Basket fresh momentum and left Baskonia with a tougher task. On Sunday, Valencia’s team won at Roig Arena in the fifth round of Liga Endesa, led by 18 points and 4 assists from its guard. Baskonia, with only eight players available, nevertheless stayed in the contest until the end.

Valencia Basket struck first after an imprecise opening spell. It raised the pace and took advantage of Baskonia’s physical difficulties to build a double-digit lead. A 10-0 run helped shape a 21-9 score in the seventh minute, with Jasiel Rivero and Nikola Mirotic scoring inside and Armoni Brooks finding his range from outside. Baskonia answered with two three-pointers, but Shorts helped Valencia finish the first quarter eight points ahead.

Baskonia tightened its defence and slowed the game, disrupting Valencia’s shot selection. It closed to 31-29 in the 16th minute through Stefan Joksimovic and DJ Stewart. Three-pointers from Dylan Osetkowski and Armoni Brooks then helped Valencia Basket restore some breathing room.

A three-pointer by Osetkowski also came as Shorts moved past, according to Marca, the record for consecutive assists without a turnover: 21, surpassing the 20 credited to Toñín Llorente in the 99/00 season. Baskonia kept pushing. After an 8-0 Valencia run, Joksimovic cut the gap to six points just before half-time. AJ Lawson, Kenneth Faried and Joksimovic then gave Baskonia its first lead, 43-41, in the 22nd minute.

Three-pointers from Nikola Mirotic and Kameron Taylor helped Valencia respond, but Baskonia continued to trade blows despite its short rotation. Shorts helped his team regain control, 59-53 in the 30th minute. In the final quarter, a 6-2 run appeared to give Valencia some separation, before Stewart and Faried brought Baskonia back to 67-65 in the 35th minute.

Valencia again turned to Shorts, who assisted Neal Sako before scoring himself. Sako then added five consecutive points, helping his team rebuild a double-digit lead with two minutes remaining. The game was played before 12,090 spectators at Roig Arena.