The Ryukyu Golden Kings have clinched a spot in the B.League Championship Series for the ninth consecutive season, securing their place with a hard-fought 94-86 victory over the Toyama Grouses in Game 34 of the 2025-26 B1 League season.
The win, recorded on April 22, 2026, at the Toyohashi City Sports General Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, ensures Ryukyu’s continued dominance in the league’s postseason race. According to the official B.League schedule and results, the Golden Kings improved to a strong position in the standings with the victory, which was critical in their push for a playoff berth.
Across the league, upper-tier teams in the Eastern Conference all secured wins on the same night, reinforcing the competitive balance at the top. Sendai 89ers defeated the Rising Zephyr Fukuoka 102-78 in Miyagi Prefecture, while the Akita Northern Happinets fell 108-76 to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Akita. In Gunma, the Crane Thunders topped Kyoto Hannaryz 84-66 and Alvark Tokyo defeated the FE Nagoya 92-71 in Tokyo.
The Chiba Jets as well posted a decisive 101-77 win over the Yokohama B-Corsairs at LaLa Arena TOKYO-BAY, and Shiga Lakes suffered a 81-69 loss to the Hiroshima Dragonflies at Shiga Daihatsu Arena. Meanwhile, the Osaka Evessa fell 86-69 to the San-en NeoPhoenix in what was described as their final home game of the regular season.
Ryukyu’s victory was particularly significant as it came against a Toyama squad fighting for positioning in the Western Conference standings. The Golden Kings, led by consistent performances from their core roster, managed to maintain composure in the second half to pull away for the eight-point margin.
With the win, Ryukyu not only extended their streak of playoff appearances to nine straight seasons but also strengthened their case for favorable seeding in the upcoming playoffs. The team has now qualified for the Championship Series in every season since the B.League’s reorganization, a testament to sustained organizational excellence and player development.
The result also had implications for the playoff picture in the East, where Sendai’s win kept them in contention for a higher seed, while Chiba Jets’ victory solidified their standing among the elite. In the West, the outcomes shifted several teams’ trajectories as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Looking ahead, Ryukyu will prepare for the postseason with momentum from this late-season success. The team’s next steps will depend on final seeding, which will be determined after the conclusion of Game 35 later in the week.
For continued updates on the B.League playoffs and team performances, fans are encouraged to follow official league channels and team announcements.
What are your thoughts on Ryukyu’s historic playoff run? Share your predictions for the upcoming Championship Series in the comments below.
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