James Nnaji shines as Barcelona beat Real Madrid in El Clásico

Barcelona Basketball recorded a 97-82 victory against arch-rivals Real Madrid in a Spanish Liga ACB fixture played on Sunday, April 16, 2023.

Every fixture between rival clubs FC Barcelona and Real Madrid is titled El Clásico and the basketball affair between the two sides follows the pattern of their respective football teams.

In a matchday 27 encounter, Barcelona welcomed Real Madrid to the  Palau Blaugrana.

Real Madrid the reigning Spanish champions took put up 24 points in the first quarter to establish a seven-point lead.

In the second quarter, Barcelona Head Coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius made changes to the rotation as the home side put up 30 points to overturn the deficit and take a one-point lead to the halftime break.

Barcelona continued their rhythm from the second quarter after the break to put up  31 points in the third quarter and establish a 15-point lead.

The fourth quarter was back and forth as Barcelona held on for a big win in the title race.

The victory means that Barcelona stays on top of the standings with 44 points from 27 games.

Baskonia are second also tied with 44 points while Real Madrid are third with 42 points.

Nigerian professional basketball player James Ugochukwu Nnaji was in action for Barcelona in El Clasico against Real Madrid.

The 18-year-old Nnaji has not been selected for action by  Jasikevičius in Barcelona's recent domestic ad EuroLeague fixtures.

In El Clasico, Nnaji came off the bench to feature for Barcelona's second unit against Real Madrid.

He recorded four points and four rebounds in nine minutes of action along with rim protection.

Nnaji made his two shots late in the game and missed his one attempt from the free throw line.

It was another impressive outing for Nnaji who is a backup big man in a star-studded Barcelona team.

Nnaji returns to action for Barcelona when they take on Granada in their next league fixture scheduled for Wednesday, April 19, 2023.