Gunma Crane Thunders: Match Result 4/11 (Sat) vs Kawasaki Brave Thunders - Resona Holdings B.LEAGUE 2025-26 Season

## Gunma Crane Thunders: Match Result

## Starting Five

■ Gunma Crane Thunders
#0 Yuma Fujii
#4 Trey Jones
#8 Kelly Blackshear Jr.
#15 AJ Edu
#29 Kazuki Hosokawa

■ Kawasaki Brave Thunders
#5 Emmanuel Terry
#11 Reon Yonehira
#13 Naoto Tsuyama
#25 Rosco Allen
#45 Jahel Nakai Yamauchi

## Key Stats

#0 Yuma Fujii: 3 points, 7 assists
#1 Co Flippin: 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
#4 Trey Jones: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
#6 Takuto Nakamura: 5 points, 2 assists
#8 Kelly Blackshear Jr.: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
#9 Naoto Tsuji: 14 points, 3P (4/7), 2 rebounds, 2 assists
#14 Makoto Sato: 4 points
#15 AJ Edu: 6 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
#16 Kenny Asano: 7 points
#29 Kazuki Hosokawa: 8 points, 3P (3/7), 2 assists
#32 Johannes Thiemann: 14 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists
#55 Daichi Taniguchi: 11 points, 3P (3/3)

## Head Coach Kyle Milling

"Our defense wasn't great at the start of today's game. We allowed Kawasaki to find their rhythm and play their game. At halftime, we discussed getting back to our own defense, and executing that in the second half led to a good offensive flow and the result."

(Regarding the intention behind using zone defense for an extended period in the 2nd quarter)
"The main intention was to disrupt Kawasaki's very good offensive rhythm. Also, considering the lineup combinations for today, we judged that zone defense would be more effective than man-to-man. It was also a tactic to change the opponent's rhythm."

(Regarding the offense, where everyone scored and excellent ball movement was observed)
"In the second half, our stable defense brought a good rhythm to our offense. The passing game was excellent, with many instances of unselfish extra passes where an open player found an even more open teammate. I believe it was a great victory where the entire team played for their teammates."

(Regarding Makoto Sato's first B1 points)
"I'm truly happy about Mako's (Sato's) points. It's not easy to adjust to the new B1 level with limited playing time. However, he has consistently worked hard with a great attitude throughout the season. All his teammates love him, and they are as happy as he is that his hard work led to today's result. We want to continue growing as a team with him."

(Regarding the current situation of rising to 2nd place in the Eastern Conference and the remaining 9 games)
"We don't think about other teams; we always focus on ourselves. We just need to value and fight in tomorrow's game and every game one by one."

(Regarding his belief that "basketball is a mental game" and how he perceives the pressure of the current winning streak)
"When winning streaks continue, opponents will definitely play intensely and physically to stop them. Today, especially Kawasaki, came at us with a strong attitude, having nothing to lose. We were pushed by that pressure in the first half, but we reconfirmed that if we concentrate and perform at our best, as we did in the second half, we have a chance to win against any opponent. We want to continue preparing mentally to maintain this concentration from the start of the game."

## Johannes Thiemann (Player)

"Our defense in the first half wasn't very good. Giving up 49 points is not our usual defense. However, we had a good discussion at halftime, and regaining our defensive intensity in the second half led to today's victory."

(Regarding the intention and feel of using zone defense in the first half)
"In the first half, our one-on-one defense wasn't at its usual level, so we adopted zone to reset our defense. Honestly, we weren't executing either defense sufficiently in the first half, but it was significant that we were able to correct it and increase our intensity in the second half."

(What is the biggest factor behind the 11-game winning streak?)
"The most important thing is that 'everyone is healthy right now.' We can finally practice with the whole team and play games with everyone available. In the first half of the season, we had many injuries, and it was difficult to maintain consistency with a different roster each time, but now that the roster is complete, everyone is healthy, and we are learning together, which is creating this good rhythm."

(Regarding Makoto Sato's first B1 points)
"Mako has consistently worked hard even with limited playing time. That's what's most admirable. I'm also very happy that he got a chance to play for a few minutes at the end of games in the last few matches and finally scored today. It's not easy to wait on the bench for a long time and then come into the game ready, but he was always prepared. I want to continue to see that effort."

(We've risen to 2nd place in the Eastern Conference, and home-court advantage in the playoffs is a possibility. What are your thoughts on the remaining 9 games?)
"We are happy to be in 2nd place, but our focus is strictly on 'each game.' Looking too far ahead doesn't lead to good results. We want to fight carefully in tomorrow's game and the one after that, and ultimately be in the best possible position for the championship."

(The guards also actively participated in defensive rebounds.)
"It's the result of everyone, including the guards, being focused, not just the big men. The 'team effort' of everyone boxing out and preventing the opponent from getting second chances is why we could dominate the rebounds."

(It seems you maintain a high level of play even with limited playing time.)
"My focus is always on 'the team winning.' I'm happy to have contributed to the team's victory today, and my current motivation comes from being back on the court and enjoying basketball after a long absence due to injury. I want to continue pushing the team until the end of the season."

(What is the strength of the current team that can utilize diverse lineups?)
"Our great strength lies in our versatility, allowing us to substitute players and compete with various lineups in any situation. We have a deep roster, and the system functions no matter who plays. I feel this diverse mix is creating the current momentum for the Thunders."

## Makoto Sato (Player)

"With the momentum of 10 consecutive wins, I felt the next 10 games would be very important. In the pre-game meeting, Tsuji-san said, 'Our mentality against the opponent is important,' and I kept that in mind. In the first half, we were caught in the opponent's pace and couldn't play our defense, but we regrouped at halftime, and in the second half, we were able to create scoring opportunities from aggressive defense, which led to the victory."

(Your feelings at the moment you scored your first B1 points)
"During that time when the score difference widened, I was preparing, thinking my chance would come. I usually shoot from outside, but today the opponent was defending aggressively, so I was looking for an opportunity to cut to the basket. Fortunately, a pass came my way, and it led to a score. I was aiming for that alley-oop, and I trusted Yuma-san (Fujii) to make the pass, so I'm truly happy it happened."