Lightning, Express Ready To Square Off in NBLC Finals
Longtime league rivals London Lightning (27-7) and Windsor Express (15-17) will square off for the first time with a championship on the line in the 2023 NBL Canada Finals.
"Of all the Finals matchups over the years, this is the most unexpected. In our league's history, no two teams have faced each other more, but they have never done so in the Finals – until now," said Audley Stephenson, NBL Canada Commissioner. "It's fitting the two teams with the most league championships are finally fighting it out for one head-to-head. It's fun to see the 401 Rivalry continue on its biggest stage."
The Lighting (1) entered the playoffs with the league's best regular season record and continued to dominate through the first round by concluding a 3-1 win over the KW Titans (4) with a 94-89 victory on Sunday.
The Express (3) came into its series as underdogs, but that didn't stop them from closing out the Sudbury Five (2) with a 108-99 victory in Sudbury on Sunday. The win ended the best-of-five series 3-2 with Windsor taking two games on the road during the series in the Nickel City.
This Finals series features numerous standout players, including 2023 award-winners Mike Nuga, the Lightning guard named NBLC Canadian Player of the Year, and Ja'Myrin Jackson, the Express swingman named NBLC Sixth Man of the Year.
The matchup also pits two of the league's most legendary sideline presences, Express head coach Bill Jones and Lightning head coach Doug Plumb, the latter named NBLC Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.
Stephenson continued, "Doug is one of the most intense coaches this league has ever seen. He takes nothing lightly. He'll be looking at this as yet another opportunity to cement his legacy. Bill has been a staple of this league from its inception. He's been a consistent voice and advocate for this league, equally intense, and a proven winner. These two coaches coming together will make for a remarkable series."
London was a member of the league's Original Seven in 2011, with Windsor joining in 2012. Since then, the two iconic franchises have won seven of the nine NBL Canada championships, with London having the edge with five.
In head-to-head regular season matchups, the Lightning went 6-1 against the Express with Windsor's lone topper coming on a narrow 105-104 victory at Budweiser Gardens on Feb. 1.
The schedule for the London Lightning (1) vs. Windsor Express (3):
Game 1 | Windsor Express at London Lightning | 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18
Game 2 | Windsor Express at London Lightning | 7 p.m., Saturday, May 20
Game 3 | London Lightning at Windsor Express | 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 23
Game 4 | London Lightning at Windsor Express | 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25 *
Game 5 | Windsor Express at London Lightning | 7 p.m. Friday, May 26 *
* If necessary
Tickets for all games are available through the home team box office.
Follow along with all the action on NBLC-TV with broadcasts available for single-game purchase or as part of your season subscription.
Last year, London won its fifth championship with a 3-0 sweep of the KW Titans. This year will mark the 10th champion in league history.
NBL Canada Champions:
2011-12 London Lightning
2012-13 London Lightning
2013-14 Windsor Express
2014-15 Windsor Express
2015-16 Halifax Hurricanes
2016-17 London Lightning
2017-18 London Lightning
2018-19 Moncton Magic
2019-20 Not awarded due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020-21 Not awarded due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 London Lightning