B.LEAGUE PREMIER tips off as Alvark Tokyo beat Ryukyu Golden Kings 84-73

On September 22, 2026, the B.LEAGUE's new top division, B.LEAGUE PREMIER, opened at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO in Tokyo's Aomi district. In the opener, Alvark Tokyo beat Ryukyu Golden Kings 84-73. Ryukyu began the season with a loss.

Ryukyu led in the first half. It led 30-23 after the first quarter and was ahead 51-50 at halftime. David Nwaba and Masahiro Waki scored on fast breaks, and Keishi Matsuwaki's three-pointer helped build momentum.

In the second quarter, Kevin Jones' three-pointer and a fast break by Nwaba kept Ryukyu ahead. However, foul trouble gave Alvark Tokyo free throws, and the margin narrowed. At one point Alvark Tokyo took the lead, but late in the first half Matsuwaki scored a three-pointer on a fast break, and Ryukyu regained the lead at 51-50.

The second half changed the flow. The third quarter began with a dunk by Nwaba, but Ryukyu made a series of mistakes and gave up points. Unable to get its offense going against Alvark Tokyo's tough defense, Ryukyu trailed 63-72 at the end of the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Ryukyu cut into the deficit with strong defense, but it could not stop Alvark Tokyo, which scored efficiently from both inside and outside. The fast breaks Ryukyu showed early in the game disappeared, and Ryukyu failed to secure enough rebounds, one of its key strengths.

The B.LEAGUE launched in 2016, and from the 2026-27 season its top tier becomes B.LEAGUE PREMIER under a new classification. The two teams also met in the B.LEAGUE's opening game on September 22, 2016, so this was another season-opening matchup between them.

TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO opened in October 2025 and seats about 11,000. From this season, Tokyo Sunrockers (formerly Sunrockers Shibuya) also use it as their home arena. It is significant that the new league's first game was played at a new arena of this size.

The second game between the teams will be played at the same venue at 2:05 p.m. on September 23. Ryukyu's focus will be whether it can repeat its fast breaks and spread its scoring as it did in the first half.

Background

The B.LEAGUE began in 2016, and from the 2026-27 season it moved its top tier to a new division called B.LEAGUE PREMIER. TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO opened in October 2025, and Sunrockers Shibuya now also uses it as a home venue this season.

Basketball Press view

The fact that the new league's opener was held at a new arena with a capacity of about 11,000 is significant. B.LEAGUE PREMIER weighs venue and management standards in addition to on-court results. For Ryukyu, the first half, when it led on the road in a big arena, is a positive. However, the second-half scoring lapses and rebounding issues are points to correct for the coming season. More information on the venue is compiled on the <a href="../courts/toyota.html">TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO page</a>.

Translated from the Japanese article by the Basketball Press editors. AI is used to assist in translation.