Preview: Leicester Riders face SLB title defining game against London Lions

Leicester Riders and London Lions are set for the most consequential matchup of the Super League Basketball season.

The two rivals go head-to-head in the capital with Championship title implications taking the pre-game headlines. 

The Riders need to win to keep their title hopes alive. Should they get over the line in London, they will be only two wins away from their seventh league title. Meanwhile a London win would secure the league for the Lions. 

It’s all to play for at the Copper Box.

Fixture information

London Lions vs Leicester Riders

Super League Basketball Championship

Copper Box Arena, London

Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 pm 

SLB Championship title on the line

While the Riders would still have work to do in order to secure the Championship if they win in London, there is a feeling of this matchup being a title decider. 

The Riders would finish level at worst with London should they win their last three games of the season, and the win against the Lions would give them the head-to-head at 3-1, securing the league. 

Meanwhile a London win would secure the title on their home floor by putting themselves three wins ahead of the Riders with two games left. 

These two sides have shared the floor in some of the biggest battles in British basketball in the last five years. 

Leicester Riders and London Lions have won the last eight league championships and the last three playoff titles in top-flight British basketball.

It’s time for another chapter in their storied history. 

Leicester Riders in end-of-season form

Leicester have needed to run the table to ramp up the pressure on London Lions in recent weeks. They needed seven straight wins to end the year and for the Lions to lose three on the back stretch. Leicester have since won three on the bounce, London dropped games to Surrey 89ers and Manchester, and now the Riders can hand London their pivotal second loss. 

The Riders have been forced to dig deep, grit their teeth and battle out victories at home. Leicester won in overtime against Sheffield Sharks, survived a fourth quarter war against Surrey, and then the Riders came back to beat Cheshire Phoenix on Easter Sunday, fighting it out in the clutch. 

They have averaged 94.25 points over their last four games, winning three of the fixtures by single digits in the clutch. All that matters now is winning. 

Head Coach Rob Paternostro credits the team for learning from their experiences earlier in the year in order to get close games over the line.

“We’re gaining experience. You have to remember we have five first year players, so they’re gaining experience throughout the season, learning about their opponents, and making shots. It’s a make or miss situation sometimes and we’re coming up with big shots.”

London Lions take big win in Sheffield

London Lions have led the league table for much of the season, and after a 12 game winning streak to start 2025, looked certain to win the Championship only a few weeks ago. 

But the Riders’ recent form, and London falling three times on the bounce to Leicester, Manchester and Surrey, has creaked the door ajar for the Riders to pile on the pressure in the final games of the year. 

They have regathered themselves in the last week, however. London faced Sheffield Sharks in a momentous affair for the title battle, and ended the Sharks’ Championship aspirations on the road. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Arryn Rai’s 15 points led to a 77-60 win, and now it’s a two horse race, so to speak. 

Now the Lions are in need of one more season defining win. 

Where to watch

This game will be available to watch live and free on DAZN!

You can watch it here!