It’s safe to say that Samara has become a key rival for Astana this season. Coached by Vladislav Konovalov, Samara currently sits in 10th place in the VTB United League standings (8–30).
The team hasn't secured a win since February 1, when they shocked Parma with an 86:78 victory. Since then, it’s been a string of losses to CSKA (44:102), Enisey (74:86), Uralmash (65:85), Avtodor (74:90), Zenit (115:57), MBA-MAI (99:60), Lokomotiv-Kuban (100:46), UNICS (120:64), and Pari NN (85:45).
This losing streak is likely tied to roster issues, particularly the absence of starting point guard Mikhail Kulagin (16.1 PPG this season), who has been sidelined since February 1 with a leg injury. Reports now suggest that Kulagin has recovered and may return to action in tomorrow’s game.
More on Samara’s roster changes this season can be found here:
https://pbcastana.kz/en/news/?id=5786
By the Way
Daniel Utomi is just three mid-range shots away from reaching 500 points this season.
Grigory Motovilov needs six assists to hit the 100-assist mark for the season.
Head-to-Head Record
The teams have met 11 times, with Samara winning 7 and Astana taking 4 victories. The last time Astana came out on top was on January 29, 2025, with a 75:67 win.
Acting Head Coach Gleb Plotnikov:
“We’re heading into an eleven-day road tour, starting in Samara. We're approaching the game with full focus. If we stick to our game plan, make our shots, and minimise turnovers, we have a good chance of a positive result.”
Match Details:
Date & Time: March 26, 20:00
Venue: Samara, SCC «Palace of Sports»
Watch Live: On the club’s website
