The Changwon LG Sakers have claimed their first-ever KBL Championship, defeating the top-seeded Seoul SK Knights in a thrilling seven-game series. After finishing as runners-up in 2000–01 and 2013–14, the long-awaited title marks a historic breakthrough for the franchise.

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LG finished the regular season 34–20, earning the No. 2 seed and a direct path to the Semifinals. There, they swept Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus to become the first team to book a spot in the Finals — and secure a berth in the 2025–26 East Asia Super League (EASL), where they’ll make their debut next season.

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“I'll make sure to preserve the pride of the KBL in the next EASL season,” said LG guard Yang Jun Seok. “I'll do my best to achieve great results.”

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Facing a stacked SK squad that featured both the local and foreign MVPs — An Young Jun and Jameel Warney — the Sakers came out firing, winning Games 1 and 2 in Seoul behind strong performances from imports Assem Marei and Carl Tamayo, who combined for 82 points across the two contests.

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LG extended their lead to 3-0 with an 80–63 win at home in Game 3. But SK stormed back. With their season on the line, the Knights delivered dominant back-to-back wins in Games 4 and 5 — both by an average margin of 27.5 points — and then eked out a 54–51 victory in Changwon to force Game 7.

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No team in KBL history had ever returned from a 3-0 Finals deficit to win a game. SK not only avoided the sweep but had a chance to make history.

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But LG wasn’t done. Game 7 saw both sides trade baskets through the first three quarters until the Sakers surged ahead in the final frame. Though SK closed the gap late, LG’s clutch shot-making and defensive stops sealed a dramatic 62-58 victory and the 2024–25 title.

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Despite the loss, Seoul SK also qualifies for the 2025–26 EASL season, returning to the competition for the first time since finishing as runners-up in its inaugural 2023–24 campaign.

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