Kawasaki Brave Thunders secured their first win of the 2026-27 B.League Premier season on October 4, defeating Altiri Chiba 82–74 at Chiba Gin Arena after dropping their opening three matches. News outlets reported that head coach Dai Oketani altered his starting lineup by benching Reon Komezu in favor of newcomer Mohamed-Ali Abdur-Rahman, a tactical shift that immediately energized the visitors.
Abdur-Rahman Shines in First Start
Abdur-Rahman delivered 18 points and 6 assists in over 34 minutes of action to anchor the Kawasaki backcourt. The backcourt newcomer ignited an early 18–15 advantage in the opening quarter and helped build a 12-point halftime cushion by converting crucial free throws alongside Matt Bonds. Bonds paced the Brave Thunders with 23 points and 6 rebounds across 37 minutes on the floor.
Defensive Adjustments Against Altiri Chiba
Oketani pointed to roster absences and targeted defensive matchups as key factors in the road victory. With Altiri Chiba playing without Alex Davis, the visitors found early openings to exploit. The coaching staff specifically designed their backcourt rotation to clamp down on Altiri Chiba playmaker Kotaro Kurokawa, holding him to just 4 points in the first half. Oketani praised Jaheluichu Yamauchi for stepping up defensively off the bench to play over 25 critical minutes.
Heavy Minutes for the Starting Five
Kawasaki relied heavily on its primary rotation as the game tightened down the stretch. Alex Kirk contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes, while Jayden Reed added 12 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks. Oketani acknowledged the uneven distribution of playing time after the final buzzer, stating that while playing time was quite skewed, they could not afford to lose and must continue to grow even in short periods of time.
The head coach also credited veteran leadership from players who did not enter the game, noting that Ryusei Shinoyama and Kengo Nomoto maintained vocal support from the bench.
Next Opponents Await on the Schedule
Kawasaki travels to face the Akita Northern Happinets on October 8 at CNA Arena Akita. The Brave Thunders aim to build momentum from their first victory of the campaign before returning home to host Alvark Tokyo on October 10.
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