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The game beginsThe game continuesPause
Ryuichi Kishimoto missed a 2-point shot in the paintA. Kirk offensive reboundPause
Reon Yonesu committed a personal foul and was awarded two free throwsA. Kirk was fouledA. Kirk missed the free throwA. Kirk hit a free throwKawasaki Thunder Braves team-wide defensive reboundsThe game continuesNaoda Tsuyama hit a 2-point shotJ. Cooley defensive reboundA. Kirk missed a 2-point shot in the paintA. Kirk offensive reboundJ. Cooley received an assist from A. Kirk and hit a two-point shotPauseDothan committed a personal foul and was awarded two free throwsJahru was fouledJahelu hit a free throwThe game continuesRyuichi Kishimoto missed a 2-point shot in the paintA. Kirk offensive reboundA. Kirk hit a 2-point shotAllen's 2-point jumper received an assist from Reine Misu and hit itRyuichi Kishimoto hit a 2-point layup in the paintNaohiro Tsuyama missed a 3-point jumperYoshiyuki Matsuwaki defensive reboundJ. Cooley missed a shot in the paint for two pointsAllen capsJ. Cooley offensive reboundRyuichi Kishimoto missed a 2-point shot in the paintJahru defensive reboundHe praised Heru for his mistakesDothan stealsRyuichi Kishimoto missed a 2-point shot in the paintMisu Lingyin defensive reboundNaohiro Tsuyama missed a 3-point jumperRyuichi Kishimoto defensively reboundedPauseMisu Reyin committed a personal foulDothan was fouledRyo Iida came on, Taiga Okada came on, Reine Yonesu came down, and Tsuyama Naodai came downThe game continuesDodson missed a 2-point shot in the paintTerry defensive reboundRyo Iida received an assist from Taiga Okada and hit a 3-point shotRyuichi Kishimoto missed a 3-point jumperPauseRyukyu Golden Kings offensive reboundsTaiga Okada committed a personal foulA. Kirk was fouledThe game continuesDothan hit a two-point layup in the paintPauseTaiga Okada hit a 2-point shotTakashi Kishimoto fouled aloneTaiga Okada hit a free throwThe game continuesDodson missed a 3-point jumperJ. Cooley offensive reboundJ. Cooley missed a shot in the paint for two pointsJ. Cooley offensive reboundJ. Cooley hit a 2-point shotJahru received an assist from Taiga Okada and hit a two-point shotPauseRyo Iida committed a personal foul and was awarded two free throwsJ. Cooley was fouledJ. Cooley received an assist from Ryuichi Kishimoto and hit a free throwRyo Sadohara came on and A. Kirk went offThe game continuesRyo Iida missed a shot in the paint area with 2 pointsJ. Cooley blockedDothan defensive reboundsPauseJahru committed a personal foul and was awarded two free throwsDothan was fouledRistic came on and Terry went offDothan missed a free throwThreatening Makoto came on the field, and Kishimoto Takashi came downRistic defensive reboundThe game continuesRistic missed a 2-point shot in the paintDothan defensive reboundsDodson missed a 2-point shot in the paintRistic defensive reboundPauseThe game continuesPauseA. Kirk came on and Dothan went offThe game continuesOkada Taiga made a mistakeYoshiyuki Matsuwaki stealsYoshiyuki Matsuwaki received an assist from Ryo Sadohara and hit a 3-point shotPauseKawasaki Thunder Braves timeoutThe game continuesAllen hit a 2-point shotJ. Cooley defensive reboundYoshiyuki Matsuwaki missed a 3-point jumperRistic defensive reboundPauseOkada Taiga made a mistakeTerry came on, Shinoyama Ryusei came on, Allen came off, and Gahelu came downThe game continuesJ. Cooley missed a shot in the paint for two pointsJ. Cooley offensive reboundJ. Cooley hit a 2-point shotRistic missed a 3-point jumperJ. Cooley defensive reboundJ. Cooley missed a shot in the paint for two pointsJ. Cooley offensive reboundJ. Cooley missed a shot in the paint for two pointsTerry defensive reboundPauseSasayama Ryuqing made a mistakeHasegawa came on the field, and Okada Taiga went downDothan came on the field, Shota Onodera came on, Yoshi Matsuwaki came off the field, and J. Cooley came off the fieldThe game continuesMadai Waki received an assist from Shota Onodera and hit a 2-point shotRistic received an assist from Ryusei Shinoyama and hit a 2-point shotPauseDodson missed a 3-point jumperThe game continuesPauseThe first quarter endsB1 League Clash Sees Ryukyu Golden Kings Topple Kawasaki Brave Thunders 80-71
In a pivotal late-season B1 League encounter, the Ryukyu Golden Kings secured a hard-fought 80-71 road victory over the Kawasaki Brave Thunders on April 22, 2026. The match, tipping off at 18:05 local time, showcased a disciplined defensive effort from the visiting Kings, who managed to stifle the Brave Thunders' offense and control the tempo to claim an important win.
Match Overview and Key Phases
The game was characterized by intense defensive pressure from the outset. Ryukyu established an early rhythm, leveraging their perimeter defense to limit Kawasaki's scoring opportunities. While the Brave Thunders fought to keep pace, particularly through drives to the basket, the Golden Kings maintained a consistent lead through the middle quarters. Kawasaki made several pushes to close the gap in the second half, but each time Ryukyu responded with critical baskets to maintain their advantage, ultimately closing out the game with a nine-point margin.
Tactical Story: Defense and Composure
The key to Ryukyu's victory lay in their collective defensive scheme and composure down the stretch. They effectively disrupted Kawasaki's offensive sets, forcing contested shots and capitalizing on transitions. The Golden Kings' ball movement and ability to find the open man against a scrambling defense were crucial in building and sustaining their lead. For Kawasaki, the struggle to find consistent scoring beyond a few individual efforts proved costly, as their 71-point total fell short of what is typically needed to win at this level.
Standout Performers and Impact
While specific player stats are not detailed, the Ryukyu Golden Kings' victory was undoubtedly a team effort. Their balanced scoring attack and relentless defensive energy were the hallmarks of their performance. For the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, the loss highlighted areas for offensive refinement as they look to finish their season strong. The result has significant implications for the B1 League standings, bolstering Ryukyu's playoff positioning or championship aspirations while dealing a setback to Kawasaki's late-season campaign.
Season Implications
This result is a significant data point in the competitive landscape of the B1 League. A win of this nature on the road against a quality opponent like Kawasaki demonstrates Ryukyu's championship pedigree and resilience. For the Brave Thunders, it's a game that will prompt review as they aim to tighten their execution in crucial moments. As the regular season winds down, every game carries heightened importance, making this 80-71 decision a valuable one for the Ryukyu Golden Kings.