seoul SK emerged victorious against Suwon KT in the semifinal playoff (PO),securing their spot in the championship series for the first time in two seasons. The final score was 69-57 in a game held at the Suwon KT Arena.

The Decisive Game

SK’s triumph (3 wins, 1 loss) over KT (1 win, 3 losses) propels them into the championship round. Their next challenge is Changwon LG, who previously defeated Ulsan Hyundai mobis.

Season Highlights

Under the leadership of coach Jeon Hee-chul, SK dominated the regular league, finishing as the top seed. They carried that momentum into the playoffs, culminating in this crucial victory.

This marks SK’s return to the championship stage since the 2022-2023 season. Their ultimate goal is to capture their third championship in three seasons, adding to their integrated championship win in the 2021-2022 season.

Wanni’s Dominance

Jamil Wanni was the star of the game, fulfilling the coach’s expectation to increase his offensive role. Wanni’s performance was pivotal, as he dominated the paint zone and scored 40 points, leading SK to victory. He also completed a double-double with 18 rebounds.

KT’s Efforts Fall Short

Suwon KT, coached by Song Young-jin, entered the PO as the fourth-place team in the regular league. After overcoming Daegu KOGAS in a hard-fought sixth-round PO that went to five games,they couldn’t surpass SK in the semifinals.

KT struggled with turnovers, allowing 12 steals to SK’s 10. Despite efforts from heo-hoon (22 points), Ha Yoon-ki, and Hamans (both scoring over 12 points), they couldn’t achieve a “reverse sweep.”

Game Dynamics

KT initially took the lead, scoring eight consecutive points with three-pointers from Hammons and Kagulang, along with two points from Ha Yoon-ki. However, SK quickly countered with Wanni, who scored 13 points in the first quarter, leading a reversal.

SK extended their lead in the second quarter, with contributions from Oh Jae-hyun, I Jae-ah Hicks, and Ahn Young-joon.Choi Bu-gyeom also added three crucial three-pointers. Despite KT’s attempts to regroup,SK maintained control,ending the first half with a 45-22 lead.

Second Half Showdown

In the second half, KT, led by Hamans, attempted a comeback. They narrowed the gap at the end of the third quarter, scoring 13 consecutive points to close the score from 29-53 to 42-53. However, Wanni’s continued scoring allowed SK to maintain their lead.

KT continued to chase, narrowing the deficit to nine points with successive three-pointers. Ultimately, SK secured the victory with an 8-point run led by Wanni and Choi, defeating KT 69-57 and advancing to the championship.

Key Moments

• First Quarter: Wanni’s dominance helps SK recover from an early KT lead.
• Second Quarter: SK extends their lead with contributions from multiple players.
• Third Quarter: KT attempts a comeback,narrowing the score.
• Fourth quarter: SK secures the win with a final push led by Wanni and Choi.