Utsunomiya Brex Vs Ryukyu Golden Kings B.LEAGUE Finals Game Preview & How To Watch
- → Game to take place at the Yokohama Arena, Japan on Saturday, May 24 at 6:30AM BST (Local Time 2:30 PM).
- → The Brex are looking to cut the nets for a B.LEAGUE record third time.
- → Ryukyu Golden Kings are looking for success after reaching 4th-consecutive B.LEAGUE final.
- → The 21-22 final saw Utsunomiya Brex clinch their 2nd
Brex’s Record or Golden Kings’ fourth attempt – who will prevail in Yokohama?
The B.LEAGUE’s finest collide in the championship series, each carrying the weight of history and hunger for more. After surviving grueling three-game Semi-Finals, Utsunomiya Brex and Ryukyu Golden Kings are now two wins away from etching their name deeper into the annals of Japanese basketball.
For the Brex, it’s a shot at immortality-a record-setting third title since the B.LEAGUE’s inception. For Ryukyu, it’s a redemption arc, a chance to match Utsunomiya’s two championships and finally convert consistent Finals appearances into another title.
Utsunomiya marched through the Quarter-Finals with authority, sweeping the Mikawa SeaHorses behind standout performances from Gavin Edwards and Akatsuki star Makoto Hiejima. But it was in the Semi-Finals where they truly flexed their mettle. Game 3 belonged to former OKC Thunder big man Grant Jerrett, who poured in 27 points in a dominant display to seal the Brex’s place in Yokohama.
A Path of Resilience and Perseverance
Ryukyu’s journey to the final has been anything but smooth. After dispatching Shimane in two games, Dai Oketani’s squad ran into real adversity. Down 1-0 to a hungry San-En NeoPhoenix side led by David Nwaba’s 23 points, the Golden Kings turned to their veterans. Jack Cooley responded with a massive 26-point, 16-rebound double-double in Game 2, overcoming a missed chance to win it in regulation to keep Ryukyu’s dream alive in overtime.
Then came Vic Law. The former Chicago Bull rose to the moment in Game 3, delivering a masterclass with 30 points and 10 rebounds to punch the Golden Kings’ ticket to a fourth straight B.LEAGUE final. It was experience over hype, composure over chaos, and a reminder of why Ryukyu remains a constant in the title picture.
Oketani’s Revenge or Hiejima’s 2nd symphony?
2018 B.LEAGUE MVP Makoto Hiejima remembers the last time these two teams clashed for the crown. It was the 2022 Finals, and Hiejima led the charge as Utsunomiya dismantled the Golden Kings in two straight games. His 24-point performance, on 8-for-14 shooting and 7-of-11 at the stripe, was the driving force behind an 82-75 victory that earned coach Zico Coronel his first championship.
That Brex roster had depth and experience - six players from that title-winning squad are still chasing another: Seiji Ikaruga, Isaac Fotu, Yusuke Endo, Kosuke Takeuchi, Hironori Watanabe, and, of course, Hiejima himself.
On the other side, Ryukyu’s core has shifted. Only two players remain from their 2022 Finals squad - Jack Cooley and Shota Onodera. Both have endured the heartbreak of previous defeats and tasted championship success. Now they’ll look to guide their newer teammates, especially star forward Vic Law, through the unforgiving spotlight of the B.LEAGUE’s biggest stage.
Will Hiejima orchestrate another masterpiece, or will the Golden Kings finally settle the score and lift their second B.LEAGUE trophy?
Utsunomiya Brex vs Ryukyu Golden Kings Game 1 How to Watch
Watch Utsunomiya Brex vs Ryukyu Golden Kings in the B.LEAGUE Finals on Courtside 1891 with a FREE Plus account, or get a MAX subscription to enjoy a full summer of basketball*. Follow the live action from the Yokohama Arena.
