The Road to Glory: Nagasaki’s Resilience

Nagasaki’s championship run was far from a foregone conclusion. As late as the 2023-24 season, the team was still navigating the challenges of B3 League promotion—a mere two years before their current triumph. Their ascent to the top of Japanese basketball has been defined by grit, with Baba (who led the league in steals last season) serving as the emotional and on-court anchor.

Game 1 of the series was a nail-biter, with Okinawa taking a late lead before Nagasaki’s Stanley Johnson and Damian Dotson combined for a furious fourth-quarter rally. The second game saw Nagasaki dominate the paint, with Baba and Johnson forming a near-unstoppable duo. Tonight’s victory cemented their place in B.League history as the first team to win the championship in their third season of existence.

Key Moments: How Nagasaki Broke Okinawa’s Defense

The decisive third game was a masterclass in transition basketball, with Nagasaki capitalizing on Okinawa’s defensive lapses. Here’s how the game unfolded:

• First Quarter: Okinawa’s Vic Lowe and Keiji Matsuoka led a 9-0 start, but Nagasaki’s Hi-Jun Lee answered with a three-pointer to spark a 20-14 lead by the quarter’s end.
• Second Quarter: Okinawa’s defense stiffened, holding Nagasaki to just 5 points over a five-minute stretch—but their offense stalled. Nagasaki’s Stanley Johnson (18 points) and Damian Dotson (12 points) kept the pressure on, forcing Okinawa into turnovers.
• Halftime: Nagasaki led 31-29, with Baba’s steals (4) disrupting Okinawa’s rhythm.
• Third Quarter: Nagasaki’s bench—led by Ryo Shoriki (10 points)—extended the lead to 52-42.
• Fourth Quarter: Okinawa’s Jack Coolidge cut the deficit to 64-60 with 2:30 left, but Baba’s three-pointer with 1:15 remaining sealed it.

What This Means for the B.League’s Future

Nagasaki’s victory carries significant implications for the league:

• Final Champions Under Current Format: The 2025-26 season is the last to feature the current playoff structure. Next year’s B.League will introduce a new playoff system, meaning Nagasaki’s title is the last of its kind.
• Okinawa’s Season Ends Early: As the third seed in the playoffs, Okinawa’s elimination means they’ll miss the upcoming Asia Champions League qualification window.
• Baba’s Legacy Grows: With two straight championships (including last year’s B.League Cup), Baba is now the face of Japanese basketball’s resurgence.

Player Reactions: The Weight of History

Baba, who has been Nagasaki’s leader since day one, reflected on the emotional journey:

“We’ve been through so much as a team. From B3 to the top of Japan—it’s surreal. But this isn’t just for us. It’s for every fan who believed in us when no one else did.”

Okinawa’s Vic Lowe, who scored 22 points in the loss, acknowledged Nagasaki’s dominance:

“They’ve earned this. Their defense is elite, and their bench can score. We fought hard, but they’re the better team tonight.”

What’s Next for Nagasaki?

The celebration won’t last long for Nagasaki. The team’s next challenge is the 2026 FIBA Asia Champions League, where they’ll represent Japan in the continental tournament. Their first opponent isn’t yet confirmed, but the team has already begun preparations.

For Okinawa, the focus shifts to offseason roster changes, with rumors swirling about potential free-agent additions to bolster their defense.