Marcelinho Huertas and Patty Mills delivered a masterclass in backcourt brilliance as La Laguna Tenerife stunned Real Madrid 96-90 at the Movistar Arena, inflicting the league leaders’ third loss of the season and signaling a serious threat in the Liga Endesa playoffs.
The victory, secured in front of 8,207 spectators on April 19, 2026, marked Tenerife’s first win in Madrid this season and underscored the growing danger posed by Txus Vidorreta’s squad as the regular season enters its final stretch. With the win, Tenerife improved to 17-10, tying Joventut for sixth place while keeping alive hopes of avoiding a potential quarterfinal clash with Madrid.
Huertas finished with 25 points, three rebounds and six assists, while Mills contributed 18 points, four rebounds and three assists, including a decisive barrage in the fourth quarter. Shermadini added 16 points and six rebounds, providing crucial interior presence against a Madrid lineup missing key forwards Gabriel Deck and Willy Hernangómez.
The game unfolded as a tactical chess match, with Tenerife exploiting Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities in the second half. After a tightly contested first three quarters, Tenerife seized control late in the third period when Mills hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 12 seconds left, putting Tenerife up 69-68.
Madrid responded with a small-ball lineup featuring Maledon, Feliz, Procida, Okeke and Garuba, briefly regaining the lead. But Mills answered with nine consecutive points over a two-minute span, slicing through the defense with mid-range pull-ups and step-back threes. Huertas then took over in the final minutes, using his veteran savvy to orchestrate the offense and hit critical shots that restored Tenerife’s lead for good.
The Brazilian point guard, now in his second stint with Tenerife, has been a revelation since joining the club in January. His ability to control tempo, attack closeouts and make timely passes has transformed Tenerife’s half-court execution. Against Madrid, he repeatedly found Shermadini in the post and kicked out to open shooters, exposing the weaknesses in Pablo Laso’s defensive rotations.
Mills, the 37-year-old Australian guard and former NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, proved to be the perfect complement. Despite limited minutes early in his Tenerife tenure, Mills has quickly adapted to Vidorreta’s system, using his elite off-ball movement and clutch shooting to relieve pressure on Huertas. His performance against Madrid — particularly his one-on-one battles with 38-year-old Sergio Llull — was described by Tenerife staff as a “delicatessen” of veteran savvy and precision.
Defensively, Tenerife assigned Alberto Abalde to shadow Llull, holding the Madrid captain to just six points on 2-of-8 shooting. While Llull struggled to find rhythm, Tenerife’s backcourt duo punished Madrid’s help defense, forcing Scariolo to constantly adjust and ultimately leaving shooters like Giedraitis (7 points) and Abromaitis (9 points) open for timely baskets.
Madrid’s offense, meanwhile, relied heavily on Edy Tavares (18 points) and Lorenzo Brown (18 points off the bench), but the absence of Deck and Hernangómez limited their interior scoring and rebounding. Tavares struggled to establish position against Shermadini’s physicality, while Brown, though energetic, shot just 6-of-18 from the field.
The loss dropped Madrid to 24-3, still comfortably atop the standings with a three-game lead over Valencia Basket (21-6), but the defeat served as a wake-up call. With seven games remaining, Madrid must now navigate a tricky schedule that includes road trips to Valencia and Baskonia, raising questions about their readiness for the postseason.
For Tenerife, the win carries significant playoff implications. Currently seeded seventh, they hold the tiebreaker over Joventut and are within striking distance of fifth-place Baskonia (19-8). A favorable finish could see them avoid a top-two seed in the quarterfinals, potentially setting up a more manageable path to the semifinals.
The result also intensified the battle for positioning in the middle of the pack. Barcelona’s loss to Hiopos Lleida earlier that day left them at 18-9, increasing pressure on Xavi Pascual’s squad to secure a top-four finish and avoid a difficult playoff draw. Meanwhile, Covirán Granada’s fourth win of the season over Unicaja kept their slim relegation hopes alive, though they remain 14 games out of safety with seven to play.
Officials for the game were Castillo, Padrós and Ríos, with two technical fouls assessed — one to each bench — and Lyles and Feliz fouling out for Madrid.
Looking ahead, Tenerife faces UCAM Murcia at home on April 24, while Madrid travels to Valencia on April 26 in a high-stakes clash between the top two teams. The outcome of that game could significantly influence seeding and home-court advantage in the playoffs.
As the Liga Endesa enters its decisive phase, Tenerife’s victory over Madrid stands as a defining moment — proof that a team built on experience, cohesion and tactical discipline can challenge even the most formidable opponents. Huertas and Mills didn’t just play well; they dictated the terms of engagement, turning a hostile arena into a stage for their mastery.
For fans wondering what this means for the playoff picture, the answer is clear: Tenerife is no longer just a participant. They are a contender.
Stay tuned to Archysport for updates on the Liga Endesa playoffs, including expert analysis, injury reports and exclusive interviews as the race for the title heats up.
