March 16, 2026

EASL FINALS | Game Preview: Utsunomiya Brex vs. New Taipei Kings (QF2 | March 18, 2026)

00 min read

EASL FINALS | Game Preview: Utsunomiya Brex vs. New Taipei Kings (QF2 | March 18, 2026)

Written By

Tyler Schiff

EASL FINALS | Game Preview: Utsunomiya Brex vs. New Taipei Kings (QF2 | March 18, 2026)

Utsunomiya and New Taipei vie for a shot at the Ryukyu Golden Kings waiting in the semifinals.

Where: Tap Seac Multisports Pavilion 

When: Wednesday, March 18, 19:30 / 19:40 P.M. (On-air / Tip-off) CST

Team Records: Utsunomiya Brex (4-2, No. 1 in Group A) / New Taipei Kings (3-3, No. 2 in Group C)

Where to Watch: Ticket Information / Broadcast Information  

TEAM STATISTIC LEADERS 

Utsunomiya Brex

Points: D.J. Newbiill — 23.0 ppg

Rebounds: Isaac Fotu — 9.7 rpg

Assists: D.J. Newbill — 2.0 (Leads all EASL Finals Players)

Steals: D.J. Newbill — 6.8 (Leads all EASL Finals Players)

Blocks: Gavin Edwards — 0.5

New Taipei Kings

Points: Jalen Harris — 29.5 (Leads all EASL Finals Players)

Rebounds: Jason Washburn — 9.5 

Assists: Jalen Harris — 5.0 

Steals: Jayden Gardner — 1.3 

Blocks: Jason Washburn 1.3 

THE RUNDOWN

They are the only team to have made three consecutive EASL playoffs — and now the New Taipei Kings stand between the Utsunomiya Brex and a place in the EASL Semifinals. The two sides meet in the second quarterfinal on March 18 in Macau, with a spot in the final four — and a date with the B.LEAGUE's Ryukyu Golden Kings — on the line. The best team advances. It's that simple.

The Brex arrive at the EASL Finals in strong form. Currently first in the B.LEAGUE East Division and third overall, Utsunomiya closed out the EASL regular season on a four-game winning streak after an uneven 1-2 start. The New Taipei Kings earned their place as Group C's No. 2 seed, qualifying on point difference — a testament to their consistency across a competitive group.

The two clubs have crossed paths with each other's domestic counterparts this season. Utsunomiya sit at 1-1 in two outings against P.LEAGUE+'s Taipei Fubon Braves, while New Taipei went 0-2 against fellow Group C members Alvark Tokyo. Now, they meet at Macau's Tap Seac Multisports Pavilion.

THE BREX

Utsunomiya is among the favorites at the EASL Finals, even without the bye, their two B.LEAGUE counterparts received. It's hard to argue with their credentials — the Brex led the entire EASL regular season in scoring, averaging 93.2 points per game.

At the heart of it all is D.J. Newbill. The two-time reigning B.LEAGUE MVP leads Utsunomiya in points (23.0), assists (2.0), and steals (6.8) — with his assist and steal totals topping every player across all EASL Finals rosters. His ability to create for teammates is a big reason why the Brex also lead all Finals teams in assists per game at 24.8.

THE KINGS

The New Taipei Kings navigated their first EASL season without Jeremy Lin and still made the playoffs — cementing their status as the only team in league history to reach the postseason in all three editions of the home-and-away era.

Leading the charge is Jalen Harris, a former NBA G-League and CEBL talent who has been impossible to slow down. A pure scorer who plays at his own pace, Harris is averaging a Finals-best 29.5 points per game — and the harder you try to speed him up, the more he makes you pay.

The other name to watch is Joseph Lin. For the first time in his EASL career, he takes the floor without his brother Jeremy alongside him — the backcourt partnership that defined New Taipei's identity in the league's early years now resting entirely on his shoulders. Now third all-time in EASL assists with 88, Joseph carries the crown alone, and his playmaking will be central to any deep run the Kings hope to make.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get the latest

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong.

More news

Clear

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Kenny Manigault Named EASL January POTM, Lin, McLaughlin Earn 2nd TOTM Selection
Kenny Manigault Named EASL January POTM, Lin, McLaughlin Earn 2nd TOTM Selection

27 Jan

New Taipei Kings

Hiroshima Dragonflies

Macau Black Bears

Hong Kong Eastern

EASL Adds Mongolia’s ‘The League’ To 2025-26 Roster And Beyond
EASL Adds Mongolia’s ‘The League’ To 2025-26 Roster And Beyond

24 Jan

No items found.
Ryukyu Secures B1 Seed, Dominates Meralco
Ryukyu Secures B1 Seed, Dominates Meralco

22 Jan

Ryukyu Golden Kings

Meralco Bolts

Hiroshima Completes Season Sweep Of Taoyuan, Claims A1 Spot
Hiroshima Completes Season Sweep Of Taoyuan, Claims A1 Spot

22 Jan

Hiroshima Dragonflies

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

New Taipei Kings Defeat KCC Despite JLin7 Injury
New Taipei Kings Defeat KCC Despite JLin7 Injury

21 Jan

Busan KCC Egis

New Taipei Kings

GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Meralco Bolts (2-2) vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (4-1)
GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Meralco Bolts (2-2) vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (4-1)

20 Jan

Ryukyu Golden Kings

Meralco Bolts

GAME NOTES: GROUP A — Hiroshima Dragonflies (4-1) vs. Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (3-1)
GAME NOTES: GROUP A — Hiroshima Dragonflies (4-1) vs. Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (3-1)

20 Jan

Hiroshima Dragonflies

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Busan KCC Egis (1-4) vs. New Taipei Kings (2-2)
GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Busan KCC Egis (1-4) vs. New Taipei Kings (2-2)

19 Jan

Busan KCC Egis

New Taipei Kings

Lu Chun-Hsiang Becomes P. LEAGUE+’s All-Time Leading Scorer
Lu Chun-Hsiang Becomes P. LEAGUE+’s All-Time Leading Scorer

17 Jan

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

Studio City, Macau SAR to host 2025 EASL Final Four
Studio City, Macau SAR to host 2025 EASL Final Four

16 Jan

No items found.
Macau Eliminates Busan KCC, Pick Up 89-78 Away Win
Macau Eliminates Busan KCC, Pick Up 89-78 Away Win

16 Jan

Busan KCC Egis

Macau Black Bears

Hong Kong Eastern Wins 3rd Straight, Hands SMB 5th Loss
Hong Kong Eastern Wins 3rd Straight, Hands SMB 5th Loss

16 Jan

San Miguel Beermen

Hong Kong Eastern

GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Busan KCC Egis (1-3) vs. Macau Black Bears (2-3)
GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Busan KCC Egis (1-3) vs. Macau Black Bears (2-3)

13 Jan

Macau Black Bears

Busan KCC Egis

GAME NOTES: GROUP A — San Miguel Beermen (0-4) vs. Hong Kong Eastern (2-2)
GAME NOTES: GROUP A — San Miguel Beermen (0-4) vs. Hong Kong Eastern (2-2)

13 Jan

San Miguel Beermen

Hong Kong Eastern

Busan KCC Trades Deonte Burton to Anyang JKJ, Receives Cady Lalanne
Busan KCC Trades Deonte Burton to Anyang JKJ, Receives Cady Lalanne

10 Jan

Busan KCC Egis

New Taipei Crushes Ryukyu 99-63, Hands 1st Loss
New Taipei Crushes Ryukyu 99-63, Hands 1st Loss

8 Jan

New Taipei Kings

Ryukyu Golden Kings

No Results Found

Please clear your search and try again.

The Latest Stats From the Game

View Stats

Get Social

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get the latest

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong.

Watch all the games Live & Free

Watch Now

Product Partners

Product Partners

Product Partners