Sportradar examines the widening gap between how teams are utilizing the post offensively, with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona among those who go into the post the most  

Stats review: The growing divide in the post

On top of the competitive action on the floor, there are several very intriguing league-wide trends already gaining traction through the first month of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season. While it is still a little early for some of them to crystallize, there are a few that seem to have real staying power, including the widening gap between how teams are utilizing the post offensively. 

The decline in post usage over the last decade is well-documented. During the 2015-16 regular season, nine of 23 teams generated over 10 possessions per game, either looking to their big men to score or finding the open man operating with their backs to the basket, with no team falling below 5 possessions per game. This season, only 2 teams are generating over 10 possessions per game, with 10 teams falling under 5 possessions per game. Much of that decline in post play - from roughly 11% of all possessions to 7%, was a natural evolution. 

As three-point rates and percentages propelled a rise in overall offensive efficiency, the bar for back-to-the-basket scorers rose to a height that was difficult for all but the league’s top offensive big men to clear. That is reflected vividly in post efficiency rates that have risen from 0.86 points per possession a decade ago to 1.00 - nearly identical to the league’s record pace - this one as touches dried up for all put the most effective weapons.

All of that puts what [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/statistics/mad/) has done to this point in perspective. Not only are *Los Blancos* creating through the post as often as any team in the last two decades of the EuroLeague basketball, but the team has done so with staggering efficiency. Only one team over that period has generated over 15 points playing through the post: the [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2021-22&phase=All%20phases) team that put up 15.6 per game relying on [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) and [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/) during the 2021-22 season. 

Madrid has not built its success on the interior with a pair of interior weapons like that team, it has done it almost entirely by committee. With no single player getting over a quarter of their post touches, [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) has been a matchup problem for opposing wings inside, [Gabriel Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) has done a great job finding the open man from the block, newcomer [Trey Lyles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/trey-lyles/014117/) has been extremely patient trying to get defenders off the ground to draw fouls, and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) remains one of the sport’s most imposing physical presences. At a point where post play has never been less prominent across the top levels of basketball, Madrid has found a way to do much of its best work offensively with a group effort on the block

It is worth noting how efficient teams like Barcelona, [Dubai Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/dubai-basketball/statistics/dub/?season=2021-22&phase=All%20phases), and [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/statistics/oly/?season=2021-22&phase=All%20phases) have been playing through the post as well since, at least early on, it seems as though the EuroLeague has reached a tipping point where post play has become perhaps more refined than it has been marginalized. Even with the league’s overall efficiency rising to record heights, post touches have been a key source of very efficient offense for several teams - something that has not been as apparent in recent years.

Though personnel plays a significant role in which teams can punish opposing defenses from the post, the number of teams finding real success there is notable given how many offenses in recent seasons have eschewed establishing any real presence on the block and figures to be a trend to keep an eye on as season rolls along.

Sportradar looks at Real Madrid, which is one of the few teams still posting up players regularly 

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens secured a dominant 91–70 home win over Promitheas Patras on Sunday night in the Greek League. Center Omer Yurtseven stood out for the Greens with 19 points and 11 rebounds

Panathinaikos cruises past Promitheas in domestic play

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens secured a dominant 91–70 home win over Promitheas Patras on Sunday night in the Greek League. Center Omer Yurtseven stood out for the Greens with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Konstantinos Mitoglou posted 14 and 7, and T.J. Shorts scored 13. Panathinaikos held out star players Kendrick Nunn and Juancho Hernangomez. Rob Gray led Promitheas with 20 points.

The game began evenly, with Promitheas holding a narrow 20–21 lead after the first quarter. The visitors briefly extended their advantage to 22–27 early in the second, but Panathinaikos responded with a strong run, taking control at 33–31 and stretching the lead to 49–34 before finishing the half up 52–39.

Panathinaikos opened the third quarter with a 9–0 run to all but put the game out of reach. Promitheas managed to cut the deficit to 70–53 midway through the period, but the Greens maintained their momentum, closing the third quarter ahead 75–56. The lead ballooned to 83–56 in the fourth quarter to all but secure the outcome.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final Score ☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/promitheasbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@promitheasbc</a> 91-70<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StoiximanGBL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StoiximanGBL</a> <a href="https://t.co/EcBFBsSAQ2">pic.twitter.com/EcBFBsSAQ2</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1982469780020846991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Panathinaikos news

The Greens are now 3-1 in the Greek League

In a landmark moment for Greek basketball, Mykonos hosted its first-ever top-flight home game in the Greek League, but the celebration was short-lived as Olympiacos cruised to a 65-91 victory on Sunday.

Olympiacos overpowers Mykonos

In a landmark moment for Greek basketball, Mykonos hosted its first-ever top-flight home game in the Greek League, but the celebration was short-lived as Olympiacos cruised to a 65-91 victory on Sunday.

Saben Lee led five Olympiacos scorers in double figures with 19 points, Frank Ntilikina scored 16 and Tyler Dorsey tallied 10 points and 7 assists. Tyree Appleby paced Mykonos with 12 points and 6 assists.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bwinMVP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bwinMVP</a> Frank Ntilikina. 🔥| <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MYKOLY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MYKOLY</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/XxLoaA28Xr">pic.twitter.com/XxLoaA28Xr</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1982439183407874440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The hosts showed early grit, rallying from an 8-point deficit to take a surprise 19-18 lead after the first quarter. Their physical defense disrupted Olympiacos’s rhythm, and a 12-3 run briefly gave Mykonos the edge. But the visitors quickly regrouped behind Giannoulis Larentzakis and Dorsey, reclaiming control and entering halftime up 35–29.

The second half was all Olympiacos. Coach Bartzokas’s squad tightened the screws defensively and caught fire from beyond the arc, with Sasha Vezenkov and Ntilikina leading the charge. A 20-8 third-quarter burst ballooned the lead to 26 points, and Dorsey’s scoring flurry pushed the margin to 36 midway through the fourth.

With the game well in hand, Bartzokas rotated his bench, resting key players ahead of a demanding EuroLeague double week. Notably, Thomas Walkup and Evan Fournier, who returned from injuries last week, were held out of the lineup entirely. The win kept the Reds unbeaten in domestic play as they look ahead to clashes with Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv and Virtus Bologna this week.

More Olympiacos news

It was a historic first-ever home game for Mykonos in the top flight

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv continued its perfect domestic run with a commanding 89–63 victory over Ironi Ness Ziona at Menora Mivtachim Arena

Hapoel improves to 3-0 in Israeli League

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv continued its perfect domestic run with a commanding 89–63 victory over Ironi Ness Ziona at Menora Mivtachim Arena. The win sets the tone for a challenging EuroLeague week ahead, with games against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Olympiacos Piraeus looming.

Tai Odiase led Hapoel with 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Antonio Blakeney added 12 points and Iftach Ziv 11. Itay Moskovits led Ness Ziona with 18 points.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">יאללה הפועללל 👹<br><br>הפועל מנצחת את נס ציונה ויוצאת לשבוע כפול ביורוליג ‼️ <a href="https://t.co/R0TLJ2H0UB">pic.twitter.com/R0TLJ2H0UB</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1982537499605123535?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

From the opening tip, Coach Dimitris Itoudis’s squad imposed its will. Blakeney sparked a first-quarter surge with back-to-back threes, and Guy Palatin added key buckets in a 12–0 run that gave Hapoel a double-digit lead. The Reds led 30–18 after 10 minutes and extended the gap to 56–39 by halftime.

In the second half, Odiase took over. His energy on both ends helped Hapoel stretch the lead to 26 points, while Jonathan Motley and Tyler Ennis kept the tempo high. Ness Ziona, still winless this season, struggled to respond despite a strong showing from Moskovits, who scored in bunches and briefly cut the deficit to single digits in the second quarter. The final frame saw Hapoel maintain control, with Odiase continuing to dominate the paint and the defense forcing turnovers. The Reds closed out the game with authority, improving to 3–0 in the Israeli league.

More Hapoel news

The reds from Tel Aviv rolled past Ness Ziona 89–63

FC Bayern Munich suffered its first defeat of the German League season, falling 67–61 to ALBA Berlin on Sunday in front of nearly 13,000 fans at Uber Arena

Bayern drops game in Berlin

FC Bayern Munich suffered its first defeat of the German League season, falling 67–61 to ALBA Berlin on Sunday in front of nearly 13,000 fans at Uber Arena. Despite leading by 9 early in the fourth quarter, the reigning German champions collapsed down the stretch, scoring just 6 points in the final 8 minutes.

Missing several key players - including Vladimir Lucic, Ognjen Jovic, Jo Voigtmann, and Niels Giffey - Bayern still looked poised to win after a 55–46 lead midway through the final period. A clutch three-pointer from Xavier Rathan-Mayes seemed to seal momentum, but ALBA responded with a 10–0 run, capitalizing on a flurry of Bayern turnovers.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Wir verlieren in Berlin.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BERFCB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BERFCB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBL</a> (c) Stickel <a href="https://t.co/bTLdsSqsOP">pic.twitter.com/bTLdsSqsOP</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1982521393960116328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Justinian Jessup led Bayern with 16 points and 5 rebounds, while Wenyen Gabriel added 10. However, the team committed 18 turnovers and struggled to finish at the rim in crunch time. ALBA’s Martin Hermannsson paced the hosts with 12 points.

Bayern now returns to Munich for a demanding EuroLeague double week, hosting Real Madrid on Tuesday and Virtus Bologna on Thursday at the SAP Garden.

More Bayern news

Coach Herbert's charges are now 3-1 in domestic action

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Look back at all the action from Rounds 6 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos of the week: Round 6

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade fortified its frontline by signing Angolan center Bruno Fernando from Real Madrid

Partizan signs Bruno Fernando away from Real Madrid 

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade fortified its frontline by signing Angolan center [Bruno Fernando](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bruno-fernando/013667/), the club announced on Sunday. The contract is pending the player passing his physical examination on Monday.

Fernando (2.08 meters, 27 years old) arrives from Real Madrid, which he joined midway through last season. He has averaged 4.4 points and 3.4 rebounds over 10 minutes per game in five EuroLeague appearances with Madrid this season.  Fernando took part in 12 games last season, including three in *Los Blancos*' playoff series against Olympiacos Piraeus.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Doskorašnji košarkaš Real Madrida, reprezentativac Angole i centar sa bogatim NBA iskustvom, Bruno Fernando, novo je pojačanje Partizana Mozzart Bet!👊🏽🖤🤍<br><br>Bruno će danas doputovati u Beograd, a ugovor će postati aktivan nakon sutrašnjih lekarskih pregleda. <br><br>Novi centar… <a href="https://t.co/WDSQFV9ig0">pic.twitter.com/WDSQFV9ig0</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1982419412872290741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Before joining Madrid, Fernando had spent his entire professional career in the NBA. He spent parts of six seasons with the Atlanta Hawks (2019-21), Boston Celtics (2021-22), Houston Rockets (2022-23), Atlanta Hawks (2023-24), and Toronto Raptors (2024-25). His best season came in 2023-24, when Fernado posted 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 45 games with Atlanta.

He joins a Partizan side that is off to a 3-3 start despite having only one true center on the roster. The addition of Fernando alongside center Tyrique Jones will give coach Zeljko Obradovic more options going forward. A regular on the Angolan national team, Fernando will wear No. 24 with Partizan.

More Partizan News

The Angolan center made his EuroLeague debut last season with Los Blancos

The 28-year-old forward signed for the remainder of the season 


Valencia strengthens frontcourt with Braxton Key

Valencia Basket has reinforced its roster by signing power forward Braxton Key for the remainder of the season, the club announced Saturday night. Standing at 2.03 meters and 28 years old, Key was named the 2024–25 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year while playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors. In 12 games, he posted impressive averages of 23.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.3 steals.

Earlier in the season, Key played for the San Diego Clippers, another G League team, where he averaged 14.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.2 blocks across 38 games. He also made brief appearances with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 0.8 points over six NBA games.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🍊 BENVINGUT, <a href="https://twitter.com/btwice_11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@btwice_11</a> <br><br>Cas 👉 Braxton Key llega para alargar el juego interior de Valencia Basket<a href="https://t.co/1xLx9YCuJx">https://t.co/1xLx9YCuJx</a><br><br>Val 👉 Braxton Key arriba per a allargar el joc interior de Valencia Basket<a href="https://t.co/SqBAlljnQI">https://t.co/SqBAlljnQI</a><br><br>Eng 👉 <a href="https://t.co/yBA6VlSsKw">https://t.co/yBA6VlSsKw</a> <a href="https://t.co/1PoBxSNSZ8">pic.twitter.com/1PoBxSNSZ8</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1982151431902638429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Key played a pivotal role in the University of Virginia’s 2019 NCAA Championship run, contributing 6 points and a game-high 10 rebounds off the bench in the title game against Texas Tech, which ended 85–77. Prior to that, he competed for the University of Alabama before launching his professional career with the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League.

His career has included stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Detroit Pistons in the NBA, as well as the Grand Rapids Gold in the G League and Vaqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rico. Key is now poised to make his EuroLeague debut with Valencia this season.

Zalgiris Kaunas will be without guard Nigel Williams-Goss for the foreseeable future. 

Nigel Williams-Goss sidelined with hamstring injury

Williams-Goss started the EuroLeague Round 6 game against FC Barcelona in the starting lineup, but felt pain in his leg during one of the first possessions and was unable to continue. After returning to Kaunas, he underwent medical tests which confirmed a hamstring injury. 

Williams-Goss will miss the next few games, and his condition will be closely monitored and evaluated by the medical staff. An update on his return will be provided separately, depending on his recovery progress. He is averaging 11.5 points on 41.7% three-pointers in dix EuroLeague games so far this season.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nigel Williams-Goss suffered a hamstring injury during the game in Barcelona and will be sidelined for the next few games. <a href="https://t.co/67z3QBP4Nu">pic.twitter.com/67z3QBP4Nu</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1982044481810485691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>