The growing rivalry between the London Lions and Manchester Basketball intensified in their fourth meeting this season, a clash that followed the Lions’ recent 82-74 victory in Manchester.
This particular fixture carried extra weight, serving as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming SLB Cup Final at the AO Arena.
Manchester remains the only team to have beaten the Lions on their home court in the SLB Championship regular season, a feat they achieved back in November after London’s celebrated win over Besiktas.
Unfortunately, the energy in the arena was noticeably subdued, with fewer spectators than usual, a scattering of fans where usually full sections of the arena would be.
In a heartbreaking finish, the Lions succumbed to a 72-71 defeat in a game that was theirs for the taking, having let the lead slip away in the crucial fourth quarter.
London was paced by Ethan Price and Deane Williams, who contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively. However, it was Max Jones’s game-high 23 points for Manchester that ultimately proved the difference.
The key battle heading into this game was who could capitalise on three-point shooting, a contest ultimately won by Manchester.
Although both teams finished with eight three-pointers, Manchester was more efficient, shooting 44% compared to London’s 36.4% on more attempts.
Mo Soluade led the Lions from beyond the arc with three makes, followed by Price with two.
In the first half, Ethan Price was the primary focus of the Lions’ offence, heavily involved in pick-and-pops, converting both three-pointers and mid-range shots.
Given his success, it was a strange decision when the Lions shifted away from this strategy after halftime (a shift that occurred as the initial crowd concern faded, with the Lions faithful arriving in their usual numbers).
While he wasn’t scoring, Price’s screens were still integral to the play, though Shavar Reynolds Jr. could only manage five points on what was an abnormal night for him.
The strategic change moved the Lions’ focus to the interior, attempting to push for free throws. However, Price was hesitant to take the shots that came in those pick-and-pop positions.
This offensive shift did help to an extent, creating moments like Williams’ thunderous dunk and a crucial three-pointer. This play helped the Lions close the third quarter strongly, giving them a somewhat commanding 58-50 lead.
In a tight contest, seeking the advantage is essential. While Manchester had the edge in efficient three-point shooting, the Lions held a significant advantage in rebounding. They finished with 43 total rebounds—nearly eight above their SLB average of 34.9—including 11 offensive and 32 defensive boards. With such dominance on the glass, one would expect them to severely limit Manchester’s possessions.
They didn’t.
Manchester’s defence excelled at preventing London from making big plays from offensive rebounds, forcing them to cycle the ball back to the top of the three-point line and restart the possession most of the time.
The final result would have been very different without Manchester’s three-point success; the game could have easily turned into another Leicester Riders blowout.
However, Manchester’s key was their resilience and commitment to their philosophy, keeping the game tightly contested and ensuring they never looked out of it, unlike the Riders at the Copper Box.
Their defensive mastery, which prevented the Lions from converting offensive rebounds into easy points, amplified the value of their efficient three-point shooting, ultimately proving to be the deciding factor in the victory.
The true heartbreak, however, was reserved for the fourth quarter.
The Lions appeared to finally find their rhythm, culminating in a Mo Soluade corner three that extended their lead to a seemingly commanding 14 points early in the final frame. Yet, in what has become an unfortunate pattern, the Lions demonstrated a debilitating habit of “letting go of the rope,” allowing their opponent to claw back into the game.
The momentum swing was capped by Patrick Smith Jr., who poured in 18 points for the visitors and rattled home a crucial step-back three, shrinking the massive lead to just two and sending visible anxiety through the home crowd.
It remains an anomaly of the season: the team with arguably the best record in British Basketball standings has developed a baffling tendency to relax and relinquish control.
Head Coach Tautvydas Sabonis reflected on this recurring issue after the loss:
“It’s frustrating when you’re winning and the guys relax a little. There’s some things in the game that happen that throw people off the game. It’s not the first time it’s happened to us. It’s controlled. It’s momentum, it’s emotional stress that you get for some things. But we have to be better; I got to be better and our decision-making down the stretch wasn’t the best.”
The team knows the solution exists, but the true test—and the one that will define their season—is whether they can consistently execute in the clutch moments when they face these situations again.
Finally, the most compelling drama unfolded after the final buzzer. A minor scuffle broke out when a London Lions representative reportedly pushed the Manchester Head Coach, Matthew Otten.
While details remain scarce, with Williams offering “No comment” and Coach Sabonis deflecting the question, the incident ignited the previously subdued crowd.
The home fans—the very ones who applauded their team after a previous blowout loss to the same Manchester side—were now fully engaged, booing the Manchester team with fervour.
This moment presents a profound opportunity for the SLB and British Basketball to invest in what is clearly becoming a fierce, passionate rivalry. With both teams motivated to meet again later this month, all eyes will be glued to the SLB Cup Final to see the next chapter in this intense feud.
