SK Extends Winning Streak, Narrowing Gap with Hyundai Mobis
The Seoul SK Knights continued their dominant run in the 2024-2025 KCC professional basketball regular league, securing their sixth consecutive victory by defeating the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus 76-70 on January 10th. This win propelled SK to the top of the league standings with a 21-6 record, two games ahead of Hyundai Mobis (19-8).SK also holds a 2-1 advantage in their head-to-head matchups this season.
The Knights’ triumph was spearheaded by the return of Oh Jae-hyun, who delivered a stellar performance with 17 points and 5 assists after recovering from a knee injury. Jamil Warney and Youngjun Ahn provided crucial support, contributing 19 points and 11 rebounds, and 11 points and 10 rebounds respectively.
Despite strong efforts from Miguel Andre Okzon (31 points) and Lee Woo-seok (16 points, 11 rebounds) for Hyundai Mobis, the Phoebus couldn’t overcome SKS relentless offence and ultimately fell short.
The game remained tightly contested throughout, with both teams tied 37-37 at halftime. SK surged ahead in the third quarter, extending their lead to 54-54 thanks to consecutive three-pointers from Isaiah Hicks and Kim Tae-hoon. Hyundai Mobis managed to close the gap to three points with Okzon’s three-pointer,but SK maintained their advantage.
In the final quarter, SK’s dominance became evident as they went on a 10-0 run led by warney and Ahn Young-jun, establishing a double-digit lead for the first time. Hyundai Mobis attempted a late comeback with three consecutive three-pointers from Lee Woo-seok and Ok-jon, but Gage Prim’s crucial shot in the final seconds missed the mark. SK sealed their victory by converting both free throws awarded after Warney was fouled.Meanwhile, in Daegu, the Korea Gas Corporation Pegasus soared to a resounding 84-61 victory over the Wonju DB Promy. This win propelled the Pegasus to third place in the standings with a 16-11 record, narrowing the gap with Hyundai Mobis to just three games.
Kim Nak-hyun led the pegasus with an impressive 24-point performance, including six three-pointers. Daeheon Lee contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds, while Eun Doye added 17 points and 17 rebounds. For DB, Ethan Albano managed 17 points and 5 assists, while Chinanu Onuaku struggled with 11 points and 11 rebounds. This loss marked the end of DB’s three-game winning streak, dropping their record to 13-14 and below 50% winning percentage.
Riding High: An Interview with Basketball analyst Lee Sun-woo
Welcome back to Courtside Chats, where we dissect the biggest storylines in Korean professional basketball. Today, we’re joined by renowned analyst Lee Sun-woo, a former KCC league MVP and insightful commentator with over 20 years of experience.
Lee, thanks for joining us. The SK Knights are on fire right now, extending their winning streak to six games. Their recent victory against Hyundai Mobis moved them to the top of the standings. What would you say is the key to their current success?
Lee Sun-woo: You can’t deny the impact of Oh Jae-hyun’s return. He brings a level of experience and basketball IQ that’s invaluable. [[1]His 17 points and 5 assists against Hyundai Mobis were crucial, but it’s his leadership that really sets the Knights apart.
Absolutely. And Jamil Warney continues to be a dominant force in the paint. do you think there’s anything Hyundai Mobis could have done differently to counter his impact?
Lee Sun-woo: hyundai Mobis struggled to contain Warney. Double-teaming him early might have been a strategy worth attempting. They did have success with Okzon,who had a stellar 31-point performance. But ultimately, SK’s team defence proved too strong.
It was a tightly contested game for most of the way, but SK pulled ahead in the final quarter with a 10-0 run. What was the turning point in your eyes?
Lee Sun-woo: That 10-0 run was a killer blow.Warney and Ahn Young-jun were unstoppable during that stretch. It showcased SK’s depth and their ability to deliver when it matters most.
Now, moving on to the other important result, the Korea Gas corporation Pegasus had a resounding victory over the Wonju DB Promy. This win catapults them to third place. Do you think they have what it takes to challenge for a championship?
Lee Sun-woo: Pegasus are playing inspired basketball. Kim Nak-hyun was phenomenal against DB, and they have a well-rounded team. However, they are still behind a strong SK team and the always-dangerous Hyundai Mobis. consistency will be key for them if they want to make a serious championship run.
what about DB Promy? This loss ended their three-game winning streak. What are your thoughts on their performance this season?
Lee Sun-woo: DB has shown flashes of brilliance, but they haven’t been able to string together consistent wins. Ethan Albano has been a luminous spot for them, but they need Chinanu Onuaku to step up if they want to make a playoff push.
This has been a fascinating week in the KCC league.
What are your predictions for the rest of the season?
Lee Sun-woo: The battle for the top spot will be fierce between SK and Hyundai Mobis. I wouldn’t count out Pegasus either. This season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Thanks for your insights, Lee Sun-woo.
Readers, what are your thoughts on the current state of play in the KCC league? Weigh in below with your predictions and comments. Will SK’s winning streak continue? Can Hyundai Mobis fight their way back to the top? We want to hear from you!
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