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.
GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Taipei Fubon Braves vs. Seoul SK Knights (Group A: December 24, 2025)
GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Taipei Fubon Braves vs. Seoul SK Knights (Group A: December 24, 2025)

23 Dec

Taipei Fubon Braves

Seoul SK Knights

EASL Partners With Spot to Power Multi-Angle Cloud Production Across Asia
EASL Partners With Spot to Power Multi-Angle Cloud Production Across Asia

21 Dec

No items found.
GAME RECAP | Seoul SK Move Into 2nd in Group A, Take Down Utsunomiya 84-78
GAME RECAP | Seoul SK Move Into 2nd in Group A, Take Down Utsunomiya 84-78

18 Dec

Seoul SK Knights

Utsunomiya Brex

GAME RECAP | Ryukyu Defeat Macau 87-81, Black Bears Fall to 0-4
GAME RECAP | Ryukyu Defeat Macau 87-81, Black Bears Fall to 0-4

17 Dec

Macau Black Bears

Ryukyu Golden Kings

GAME RECAP | Alvark Roll Past Changwon LG, Move Into 1st in Group C
GAME RECAP | Alvark Roll Past Changwon LG, Move Into 1st in Group C

17 Dec

Alvark Tokyo

Changwon LG Sakers

East Asia Super League Announces 2025–26 Season Sponsors
East Asia Super League Announces 2025–26 Season Sponsors

17 Dec

No items found.
GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Alvark Tokyo vs. Changwon LG Sakers (Group C: December 17, 2025)
GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Alvark Tokyo vs. Changwon LG Sakers (Group C: December 17, 2025)

16 Dec

Alvark Tokyo

Changwon LG Sakers

GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Seoul SK Knights vs. Utsunomiya Brex (Group A: December 17, 2025)
GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Seoul SK Knights vs. Utsunomiya Brex (Group A: December 17, 2025)

16 Dec

Seoul SK Knights

Utsunomiya Brex

GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Macau Black Bears (Group B: December 17, 2025)
GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Macau Black Bears (Group B: December 17, 2025)

16 Dec

Ryukyu Golden Kings

Macau Black Bears

EASL Designated as Official Qualifier for Basketball Champions League (BCL) Asia
EASL Designated as Official Qualifier for Basketball Champions League (BCL) Asia

15 Dec

Ryukyu Golden Kings

Utsunomiya Brex

Alvark Tokyo

Meralco Bolts

Changwon LG Sakers

GAME RECAP | Taoyuan Completes Biggest Comeback in EASL History, Improve to 3-1
GAME RECAP | Taoyuan Completes Biggest Comeback in EASL History, Improve to 3-1

14 Dec

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

Macau Black Bears

GAME RECAP | Taipei Fubon Trio Combine for 77 Points, Stay Perfect at 2–0
GAME RECAP | Taipei Fubon Trio Combine for 77 Points, Stay Perfect at 2–0

13 Dec

Hong Kong Eastern

Taipei Fubon Braves

GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Taoyuan Pauian Pilots vs. Macau Black Bears (Group B: December 14, 2025)
GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Taoyuan Pauian Pilots vs. Macau Black Bears (Group B: December 14, 2025)

12 Dec

Macau Black Bears

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Taipei Fubon Braves vs. Hong Kong Eastern (Group A: December 13, 2025)
GAME PREVIEW: Everything to know about Taipei Fubon Braves vs. Hong Kong Eastern (Group A: December 13, 2025)

12 Dec

Hong Kong Eastern

Taipei Fubon Braves

EASL and Under Armour Unveil Multi-Year Partnership
EASL and Under Armour Unveil Multi-Year Partnership

11 Dec

No items found.
GAME RECAP | Changwon LG Sakers grab 1st EASL win, hand Xac Broncos 2nd straight loss
GAME RECAP | Changwon LG Sakers grab 1st EASL win, hand Xac Broncos 2nd straight loss

9 Dec

Changwon LG Sakers

Xac Broncos

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