Reyer Venezia Faces Crucial Derby Clash with Pallacanestro Trieste

TRIESTE, ITALY – Umana Reyer Venezia travels to the PalaTrieste on Sunday, March 22, 2026, for a pivotal matchup against Pallacanestro Trieste in Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). The game, set to tip off at 17:00 local time (16:00 UTC), carries significant weight as both teams battle for playoff positioning. The contest will be broadcast live and free on LBATV, making it accessible to fans without a subscription.

Playoff Implications Fuel North-East Derby

More than just regional pride is on the line in this North-East derby. Reyer Venezia, currently holding a record of 15 wins and 5 losses, aims to solidify its third-place standing in the LBA. Trieste, with a record of 11 wins and 9 losses, is equally determined to secure its sixth position and strengthen its playoff chances. This game represents a critical opportunity for both clubs to create a statement as the regular season nears its conclusion.

Bowman Returns, Reyer Focused on Defensive Improvements

Reyer Venezia is coming off a period of mixed results, including league matches against Treviso and Udine, and a disappointing loss to Trento in the Eurocup. A key boost for the team is the return of guard Ky Bowman, who has been sidelined with a calf injury since February 19th. Bowman made a significant impact in his return, contributing 14 points and shooting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc against Udine. He emphasized the importance of regaining match rhythm and the team’s ongoing work to improve defensively.

“I’m fine now,” Bowman said. “Getting back into match rhythm is the most important thing right now. This week’s training sessions are helping me a lot: running hard up and down the pitch is helping me find my game again.”

Bowman highlighted a slow start against Udine as a learning experience, noting the team was surprised by their opponent’s energy and aggression. He stressed the need for a stronger defensive presence from the opening tip-off and a collective effort to address defensive gaps.

Trieste’s Home Advantage and Physicality Pose a Challenge

Reyer Venezia coach Neven Spahija acknowledges the challenge posed by Trieste, particularly their strong home form. He noted that Trieste is among the top teams in Italy when playing at the PalaTrieste, where they consistently elevate their performance. Spahija also pointed out the uncertainty surrounding Trieste’s injury situation, stating that the team is preparing for all possible scenarios.

“Ci attende una nuova partita e una nuova grande sfida. Trieste gioca molto bene e, guardando il bilancio tra vittorie e sconfitte casalinghe, è tra le migliori squadre in Italia: è una formazione che nel proprio palasport riesce a esaltarsi e a rendere molto di più,” Spahija said. (Translation: “A new game and a new big challenge awaits us. Trieste plays very well and, looking at the balance between wins and losses at home, it is among the best teams in Italy: it is a formation that manages to excel and do much more in its own arena.”)

Denzel Valentine, who previously played for Trieste, echoed Spahija’s sentiments, acknowledging the impact of the home crowd and the competitive nature of the upcoming match. He emphasized his commitment to contributing to the team’s success in any way possible.

“Sono davvero entusiasta di tornare a Trieste, un ambiente che conosco bene e che sarò felice di ritrovare. Sarà una partita molto competitiva e sicuramente intrigante da giocare. Il fattore campo darà una grossa mano ai nostri avversari,” Valentine stated. (Translation: “I am really excited to return to Trieste, an environment I know well and will be happy to rediscover. It will be a very competitive and certainly intriguing game to play. The home factor will give a big hand to our opponents.”)

Trieste Riding Momentum, Despite Injury Concerns

Pallacanestro Trieste enters the derby with momentum, having secured two consecutive home victories – a league win against Aquila Trento and a significant triumph in the Basketball Champions League against La Laguna Tenerife of Spain. Remarkably, these wins were achieved despite a depleted roster, with key players Colbey Ross, Markel Brown, Jeff Brooks, and Davide Moretti sidelined due to injury. This resilience demonstrates the team’s ability to come together and find solutions in challenging circumstances.

Ramsey and Toscano-Anderson Lead Trieste’s Attack

The offensive engine of Pallacanestro Trieste is fueled by Jahmi’us Ramsey and Juan Toscano-Anderson. Ramsey is currently enjoying a stellar run of form, having scored 31 points in the Basketball Champions League game against Tenerife and 25 points against Trento. Toscano-Anderson, expected to be fully rested after sitting out the European contest, was dominant against Trento, recording 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in 27 minutes of play.

Italian Contributions and Physicality Under the Basket

With a shortened rotation due to injuries, Trieste’s Italian players have stepped up to provide crucial contributions. Francesco Candussi and Michele Ruzzier have been particularly impactful, providing scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. The addition of Josh Bannan and the athleticism of Mady Sissoko further enhance Trieste’s physicality and rebounding prowess, promising a tough battle in the paint.

Experienced Backcourt Directs Trieste’s Offense

Trieste’s backcourt features the playmaking of Colbey Ross, the team’s leading assist man, and the experience of Markel Brown, who provides solid defense and scoring. This combination provides a stable foundation for the team’s offensive attack.

Historical Context: Reyer Venezia Dominates Head-to-Head Record

Historically, Reyer Venezia holds a commanding lead in the head-to-head series, with 11 wins to Trieste’s 4 in 13 league games and 2 Supercoppa contests. However, Trieste has secured two victories against Reyer Venezia on their home court. Notably, Venezia won the last two encounters by significant margins – 32 and 36 points, respectively, representing the largest margins of victory in the series’ history. Trieste’s last home win against Venezia in league play dates back to April 20, 2019 (104-85).

Notable Former Players

Several players on both rosters have connections to the opposing team. For Pallacanestro Trieste, Michele Ruzzier and Francesco Candussi previously played for Reyer Venezia, while Jeff Brooks, Davide Moretti, and Pietro Iannuzzi have all worn the Reyer jersey. On the Reyer Venezia side, Jordan Parks and Alessandro Lever are former Trieste players, as is Denzel Valentine.

What’s Next

Following this crucial derby, both teams will continue their pursuit of playoff positioning in the remaining games of the LBA regular season. The outcome of this match will undoubtedly have significant implications for the final standings and the upcoming playoff bracket.

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