Leicester Riders enter the Second Leg of the Super League Basketball Semi-Final against Sheffield Sharks down 10.
They fell 85-75 in Sheffield, fighting back from down 20 in the third to keep themselves in contention going back home.
The Riders need to battle back once again in the return leg to progress to the Final at the O2 Arena.
Fixture information
Leicester Riders vs Sheffield Sharks
Super League Basketball Playoffs Semi-Final Second Leg
Mattioli Arena, Leicester
Sunday, May 11, 3 pm
Leicester Riders down, but not out
A 1-15 start from three in the Riders’ loss to Sheffield forced the visitors to rally back into the game. They finished shooting 21% from deep and 22% from the foul line in a difficult shooting display.
The grit and heart of Ethan Wright triggered Leicester’s comeback in the third period, which saw them cut the difference to four. He scored seven straight and pulled off a chase-down block on Jamell Anderson to turn the tide. Wright finished the game with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
Charles Thompson and Jaylin Hunter led the scoring with 16 each. Thompson, named to the Team of the Year earlier in the day, logged a 16 and 12 double-double on the night.
And in the final seconds, fellow Team of the Year member Zach Jackson dug deep to make it a 10 point game going back to Leicester, hitting a corner three on the buzzer over a tight Anderson contest.
Now, Leicester need to lean on their home court advantage to climb back into the game.
Leicester Riders took victory last time they hosted Sheffield Sharks
The Riders dug deep for an overtime victory against Sheffield without three key players last time the Sharks came to Leicester.
They were without Duke Shelton and Conner Washington through injury, and Hunter was sidelined with two technical fouls, but Leicester dug deep and showed heart to battle out an overtime victory.
Zach Jackson led Leicester in the clutch, going off for 28 in the game and hitting momentous shots late. He was backed by British Team of the Year member Riley Abercrombie, whose 7 points in the final five minutes turned the tide of the game, bringing him to 22 on the night.
Zach's digging deep
— Leicester Riders | Basketball (@RidersBball) April 11, 2025pic.twitter.com/OoZFh7KOLY
All of the guts shown on that night will be needed in the Second Leg, with the Riders needing to put 11 points over their opponents to get to the final.
Tickets still available!
We need a wall of red at the Arena for this crucial game!
All tickets are £10. You can get them here!
