Lightning Tops Express to Claim 2023 NBLC Championship
By Jason Winders
The London Lightning brought home the 2023 NBL Canada championship in record-breaking fashion with a 126-88 win over the Windsor Express Saturday night at Budweiser Gardens. The victory capped a 3-2 series win for London, whose 38-point margin of victory was the largest-ever in a Finals game.
The win marks back-to-back championships for the Lightning and a sixth title in franchise history.
"In London, we've had a front-row seat to excellence for 12 years now," said Audley Stephenson, NBL Canada Commissioner. "It has been an incredible run. Different opponents. Different cores. Different coaches. It has never mattered. The Lightning has done it time and time again. What they have been able to do as a franchise – that level of dominance – rivals any other run in sports."
Lightning forward Jermaine Haley was named NBL Canada Finals MVP. The Vancouver native led all scorers with 114 total points (22.8 PPG), including a double-double effort (41 points, 10 rebounds) in a must-have Game 4 for the Bolts. He is only the third Canadian to win Finals MVP.
Lightning guard Jeremiah Mordi provided a one-two scoring punch alongside Haley. His 110 total points (22.0 PPG) was second most among all players, and his 46 rebounds led both squads. In total, five London players averaged double-digit points, including named NBLC Canadian Player of the Year Mike Nuga (14.2), 2022 NBLC Finals MVP Terry Thomas (14.0), and Bolt swingman Mareik Isom (11.0).
The Express were led in scoring by guard Latin Davis (20.4 PPG) and NBL Sixth Man of the Year Ja'Myrin Jackson (19.4).
"This Finals series lived up to what we have seen across this league all year long – high levels of skill, strategy, and competition," Stephenson said. "Look at these two opponents. While London had some familiar faces, it was essentially a new roster that established itself as the top team in the league. Winsor celebrated its 10th anniversary as a franchise in such an exciting way for that fanbase, a special run that fell only one game short of a championship. It was a special way to end a special season."
The Lighting (1) entered the playoffs with the league's best regular season record and continued to dominate through the first round with a 3-1 series win over the KW Titans (4). The Express (3) came into its semi-final series as underdogs, but that didn't stop them from closing out the Sudbury Five (2) in a winner-take-all Game 5.
In the Finals, the teams split the first to games in London, then split again in Windsor, before returning to the Forest City for the deciding tilt.
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 eight of the 10 NBL Canada championships, with London having the edge with six. Last year, London won the title with a 3-0 sweep of the KW Titans.
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