B.League Heads Into Final Stretch of the 2025-26 Season

The San-en NeoPhoenix's 13-game win streak was halted on Sunday, April 5, with the Ibaraki Robots handing them an 84-82 loss in the B.League. Back in action on Wednesday, the NeoPhoenix returned to their winning ways, defeating the Nagasaki Velca 103-97.

San-en improved to 30-20. Nagasaki, which has the league's best record, slipped to 40-10.

On the same night, the rest of the 24-team B.League had midweek games. Each team has only 10 games remaining in the regular season.

The playoff picture is coming into focus, though several spots are still up for grabs, including the four wild-card berths.

NeoPhoenix coach Atsushi Ono's squad is vying for a wild-card berth.

Through Wednesday, the wild-card standings are as follows:

SeaHorses Mikawa (35-15)
Ryukyu Golden Kings (35-15)
Gunma Crane Thunders (34-16)
Alvark Tokyo (33-17)
Levanga Hokkaido (31-19)
Sendai 89ers (30-20)
San-en (30-20)

B.League — *NeoPhoenix forward Yante Maten attempts to score as Velca forward Jarrell Brantley defends. (©B.LEAGUE)*

In the April 8 showdown in Nagasaki, the NeoPhoenix capped a 9-0 spurt with a Hayato Wakugawa 3-pointer with 8:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. That gave San-en a 90-78 lead.

The Velca cut it to 99-96 with 1:36 to play but that was as close as the hosts would get the rest of the way.

Both teams shot the ball well. The NeoPhoenix made 37 of 66 shots from the field (56.0%), and the Velca shot 59% (38 of 61).

Veteran big man Yante Maten paced San-en with 19 points on 9-for-11 shooting, and five teammates also scored in double digits, including David Nwaba (15 points) and Wakugawa (14). Playmaker Ryusei Sasaki contributed 11 points and nine assists.

Determined to Qualify for the B.League Playoffs

After Wednesday's game, Sasaki commented on his team's cohesive performance.

"I think this was a victory we earned as a team," Sasaki told reporters. "Even when we were behind, we hung in there on defense, and I believe the fact that the whole team was united and fighting in the same direction led to this win."

San-en finished with 29 assists and 11 turnovers. Nagasaki had 19 assists and 17 turnovers.

Velca star Jarrell Brantley, now in his third season with the team, scored a game-high 31 points.

As the season moves closer to the finish line, Sasaki and his teammates are determined to punch their ticket to the playoffs. (Eight B.League teams will qualify for postseason play.)

"We have a string of must-win games ahead of us," Sasaki said. "But we're absolutely determined to win them all and make it to the [playoffs] together."

Ono was pleased with his team's performance.

"I think we fought with a lot of patience," Ono said. "Overall, our focus — which is essential for winning — was strong. The players executed our game plan very well."

Up next: The NeoPhoenix play host to the 89ers on April 11-12 in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture. Sendai swingman Jarrett Culver leads the B.League in scoring (25.9 points per game).

Crane Thunders Win 10th Straight

The visiting Gunma Crane Thunders held a 31-11 lead at the end of the first quarter against the Ibaraki Robots on Wednesday night. Gunma cruised to an 80-66 win, its 10th in a row.

Kerry Blackshear Jr had a team-high 24 points for the Crane Thunders. Trey McKinney-Jones and Johannes Thiemann chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Gunma got everyone involved on offense, with eight players finishing with two or more assists. Blackshear and McKinney-Jones shared the team lead with four apiece.

"We got off to a fantastic start," Crane Thunders coach Kyle Milling said after the game. "By setting the tone right from the beginning, we were able to control the flow of the game."

Ibaraki fell to 15-35.

Rossiter Lifts Alvark Past Brex

In a clash of Eastern Conference rivals, the Alvark Tokyo beat the reigning champion Utsunomiya Brex on Ryan Rossiter's putback with 0.4 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Tokyo triumphed 84-82 at Brex Arena Utsunomiya.

Rossiter was in the right place at the right time to snare an offensive rebound after teammate Brandon Davies missed a layup.

A few seconds earlier, Davies had stripped the ball from Brex star DJ Newbill, the two-time reigning B.League MVP. Davies dribbled the length of the court and shot the potential game-winning shot.

After Rossiter's basket, Newbill missed a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Alvark (33-17) led 50-38 at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Brex rallied behind the one-two scoring punch of Newbill and Grant Jerrett. They combined for 26 points in the quarter, with Newbill leading the charge with 14.

The hosts led 70-68 entering the final period.

With 1:12 to play, Brex big man Jerrett knocked down a 3-pointer from the left baseline to tie it at 82-82.

Top Scorers in Alvark-Brex Showdown

Sebastian Saiz paced the Alvark with 19 points. Kai Toews scored 18 points and handed out nine assists. Marcus Foster had a 17-point outing.

"From here on out, every single game is crucial," Rossiter said. "We haven't made the playoffs yet, so we need to both build chemistry and win. Practices [and] games, everything matters, and we'll continue to build trust as a team."

For East-leading Utsunomiya (37-13), which had its three-game win streak snapped, Newbill was the top scorer with 26 points and eight assists. Jerrett poured in 21 points and Makoto Hiejima had 15.

"I think the reason we lost was that we gave up too many points in the first half," Hiejima said. "It was a game we could have won. We'll make the necessary adjustments and give it our all again."

The perennial All-Star added, "It was a frustrating loss, but I want to thank the many fans who came out to support us despite it being a weekday."

The Alvark take on the visiting Shimane Susanoo Magic (23-27) on April 11-12, and the Brex travel to face the Toyama Grouses (12-38).

Golden Kings Finish Strong Against Evessa

In Okinawa City, the Ryukyu Golden Kings outscored the Osaka Evessa 27-17 in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's match. And that was a key factor in the hosts' 74-71 triumph.

In the fourth quarter, the Golden Kings made 9 of 13 shots from the field and sank 7 of 7 free-throw attempts.

Vic Law led Ryukyu with 17 points, including seven in the fourth quarter. Damyean Dotson finished with 14 points, and Ryuichi Kishimoto and Jack Cooley scored 12 apiece.

The Golden Kings extended their winning streak to six games.

Osaka slipped to 19-31.