Flamengo beat Rio Claro 84-72, late afternoon this Saturday (22), at Maracanãzinho, for the twelfth round of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB). With the result, the Pride of the Nation goes into the NBB break, due to national team basketball, in the lead of the competition.

Those who went to Maracanã this Saturday for the doubleheader of basketball and soccer witnessed another victory for Flamengo, which remains firmly in the lead in national basketball. After a great first quarter, the team suffered a scare in the second period with Daniel Onwenu's injury and their performance dropped, allowing Rio Claro to even the score. After the break, the duel remained close and the score always tight. But, in the decisive minutes, Flamengo was superior, showed collective strength and opened up a lead to confirm the victory: the 11th in 12 games in the competition.

Now, the selected players report to their respective commitments and the NBB (Brazilian Basketball League) pauses for 10 days. Flamengo returns to the court on December 3rd to face Pinheiros in São Paulo, in a reunion with former Flamengo coach Gustavo de Conti. 

Highlights

Negrete - 16 points;
Cummings - 13 points; 
Wesley - 12 points; 
Alexey - 11 points and 7 assists. 

1st Bedroom

The game started slowly, with both teams struggling to convert their shots. It took two minutes for the score to change, with Flamengo taking a 2-0 lead. From then on, Alex Negrete changed the course of the quarter: he hit the first three-pointer of the game, triggering a Flamengo comeback that put the score at 13-4. The teams traded baskets until the score reached 19-13, but another three-pointer from Negrete put Flamengo back in a comfortable lead, taking the score to 22-13. After a slow start, the quarter heated up, and Flamengo closed the quarter ahead 25-17.

2st Bedroom

Flamengo returned to the second half maintaining the momentum from the end of the first period. Gui Deodato converted from the free-throw line, Manel went up for the dunk, and Dee Bost scored two more, opening up a 31-20 lead for Flamengo. Rio Claro reacted with a seven-point run, reducing the difference to 31-27. Gui Deodato responded from the perimeter and restored the advantage to 35-29. The crowd erupted with a three-pointer, and Dee Bost took advantage of the moment: he stole the ball and scored on a fast break, making it 37-29. Following that, Daniel Onwenu suffered an injury and left the court to applause from the Biggest Fanbase in the World. Flamengo felt the setback and experienced some instability, but Markeith Cummings got the team back on track by converting a three-pointer with a foul, reigniting the Flamengo spirit and bringing the score to 43-37. In a lively quarter, Flamengo remained strong and went into halftime leading 45-39.

3st Bedroom

The third quarter began with Rio Claro scoring six points in a row, taking advantage of Flamengo's poor offensive start to the quarter. Alex Negrete responded with a three-pointer followed by a foul, securing the second four-point play of the night and keeping Flamengo ahead 49-46. The game remained close, with the teams trading baskets throughout the quarter. In the final moments, Flamengo put together some good offensive plays and managed to take a 63-58 lead into the final quarter with 10 minutes remaining.

4st Bedroom

It wasn't until the final minutes that Flamengo managed to break away from Rio Claro and secure their 11th victory in 12 games in the national competition. The game was tied at 71-71 with three minutes remaining, but Flamengo accelerated, went on a 13-1 run, and closed out the game 84-72.

Next challenge

The Pride of the Nation returns to the court on December 3rd to face Pinheiros, away from home, for the thirteenth round of the NBB. 

Starting Quintet

Alexey, Gui Deodato, Shaq Johnson, Markeith Cummings and Wesley Castro.
Coach: Sergio Hernandez.

GAME OVER! IT WAS A HUGE VICTORY FOR FLAMENGO! ⚫️

The nation's support made all the difference and the #FlaBasquete He put on a show on the court! pic.twitter.com/DKw3YPkHau

— Time Flamengo (@TimeFlamengo) November 22, 2025