Kanazawa Samuraiz edge Aomori Wat’s 84-82 in B2 League thriller

Kanazawa Samuraiz held off Aomori Wat’s 84-82 in a tense B2 League matchup on Saturday, 17 October 2026. The hosts survived a late Aomori surge and made the crucial plays on both ends in the final minute to secure a two-point victory.

The game was close throughout, with neither team able to build a comfortable lead. Kanazawa’s half-court execution and offensive rebounding proved decisive, while Aomori’s comeback attempt fell just short in the closing seconds.

Match overview

Kanazawa took a narrow 20-18 lead after the first quarter and held a 42-39 advantage at halftime. Aomori responded with a stronger third quarter, outscoring the hosts 24-19 to take a two-point lead into the final period. The fourth quarter became a possession-by-possession battle, with Kanazawa reclaiming control late.

• Final score: Kanazawa Samuraiz 84, Aomori Wat’s 82
• League: B2 League
• Date: 17 October 2026
• Tip-off: 14:05
• Quarter scores: 20-18, 22-21, 19-24, 23-19

Key moments

The final two minutes were filled with drama. Aomori tied the game at 80-80 with a driving layup, but Kanazawa answered immediately with a mid-range jumper. Aomori responded again with a tough finish inside to level at 82-82. On the next possession, Kanazawa’s guard created space and knocked down the go-ahead jumper with under 10 seconds left. Aomori’s final three-pointer was contested and rimmed out, sealing the two-point win.

Kanazawa’s biggest play may have come on the offensive glass earlier in the quarter. A missed shot was kept alive, leading to a reset and a crucial foul. Those extra possessions were a recurring theme, and they helped the hosts survive Aomori’s best punch.

Tactical story

Kanazawa prioritized attacking the paint and drawing fouls, while Aomori relied on perimeter shooting and transition chances. The Samuraiz’s zone defense slowed Aomori’s half-court rhythm in the fourth quarter, forcing contested jumpers. Aomori switched to a full-court press late, creating a few turnovers, but Kanazawa’s guards handled the pressure well enough to close it out.

The rebounding battle was another key factor. Kanazawa’s second-chance points kept them afloat during a difficult third quarter, and their discipline at the free-throw line made the difference in a game decided by a single possession.

Standout performers

Kanazawa’s backcourt set the tone with steady decision-making and timely shot-making. Their interior players battled on the boards and protected the rim, while the bench provided valuable minutes in the second quarter. Aomori’s guards kept the visitors in the game with tough shot-making, and their late rally showed resilience, but the team came up one stop short.

B2 League impact

The win gives Kanazawa Samuraiz a hard-earned home victory and important momentum in the B2 League standings. Close games often define a season, and the Samuraiz showed composure in the final minutes. For Aomori Wat’s, the loss is a frustrating one, but the performance offers encouragement: they competed on the road and had a chance to steal it late.

Both teams will take lessons from a matchup that came down to execution in the clutch. Kanazawa will look to build on its late-game discipline, while Aomori will focus on limiting second-chance opportunities and finishing possessions more cleanly.