Nagoya Diamond Dolphins delivered one of the most convincing road performances of the young B1 League season, dismantling the Kawasaki Brave Thunders 93–63 at a stunned home arena. The 30-point margin tells the story of a night when everything clicked for the visitors — crisp ball movement, relentless defensive pressure and a shooting display that simply overwhelmed Kawasaki after the opening exchanges.

For a fixture that many expected to be a tight, physical battle between two playoff-caliber sides, the game turned into a one-sided showcase of Nagoya's depth and discipline. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Diamond Dolphins had stamped their authority on the contest and handed the Brave Thunders their heaviest defeat of the campaign so far.

Match Overview

• Competition: B1 League (Japan)
• Fixture: Kawasaki Brave Thunders vs Nagoya Diamond Dolphins
• Date & Tip-off: 26 September 2026, 17:05
• Final Score: Kawasaki Brave Thunders 63 – 93 Nagoya Diamond Dolphins
• Result: Nagoya Diamond Dolphins win by 30 points

The scoreline was built on balance rather than a single individual explosion. Nagoya spread the scoring across the rotation, kept turnovers low and forced Kawasaki into a long, frustrating evening of contested jump shots and hurried possessions. It was the kind of road win that coaches point to later in the season as proof of a team's identity.

How the Game Unfolded

The first quarter was the only genuinely competitive stretch of the night. Kawasaki came out with energy in front of their home crowd, attacking the rim early and trading baskets with the visitors. Nagoya answered with efficient half-court execution, and a late burst gave them a narrow 22–18 edge after ten minutes — a lead that felt like a warning rather than a knockout blow.

That warning became a reality in the second quarter. The Diamond Dolphins opened the period with a sustained run, suffocating Kawasaki's pick-and-roll game and converting defensive stops into transition points. Kawasaki's offense stalled badly, managing just 12 points in the quarter while Nagoya poured in 26. By halftime the lead had ballooned, and the Brave Thunders walked to the locker room searching for answers.

The third quarter removed any remaining doubt. Nagoya kept their foot on the gas, moving the ball side to side, punishing help defense with skip passes and knocking down open looks from the perimeter. A 24–16 period pushed the margin well beyond 25 points and effectively ended the contest as a competitive fixture.

With the game decided, both benches emptied in the fourth. Nagoya's reserves maintained the standard, adding 21 more points, while Kawasaki's younger rotation players managed 17 against a defense that never truly relaxed. The final 93–63 scoreline reflected the full 40 minutes of control the visitors had enjoyed.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

• Q1: Kawasaki 18 – 22 Nagoya
• Q2: Kawasaki 12 – 26 Nagoya
• Q3: Kawasaki 16 – 24 Nagoya
• Q4: Kawasaki 17 – 21 Nagoya
• Final: Kawasaki 63 – 93 Nagoya

The second quarter was the decisive passage of play. Winning a single period by 14 points on the road is the mark of a team capable of controlling tempo, and Nagoya did exactly that — slowing the game when it suited them and accelerating into quick strikes whenever Kawasaki's shot selection faltered.

Key Moments

The turning point arrived midway through the second quarter. With Kawasaki within striking distance, Nagoya strung together a sequence of defensive stands — a blocked shot at the rim, a steal in the passing lane, and back-to-back three-pointers on the other end. In barely two minutes the deficit jumped from single digits to a gap that would never close.

Another momentum swing came early in the third, when Kawasaki's most experienced guard picked up a third foul and was forced to the bench. Without their primary playmaker initiating offense, the Brave Thunders leaned on isolation basketball, and Nagoya's help defense feasted. A pair of fast-break dunks in transition capped the run and drew the loudest reaction of the night — from the visiting bench.

Tactical Story

Nagoya's game plan was built on two simple principles: pressure the ball handler and force Kawasaki to beat them from the perimeter. The Diamond Dolphins switched aggressively on screens, closed out hard on shooters and dared the Brave Thunders to finish inside against length. The result was a Kawasaki offense that never found a rhythm, settling for difficult mid-range attempts and second-chance points that were too few and too late.