Men
WOMen
March 22, 2026
Game Report: MCR 74-83 London Lions
Manchester Basketball fell one game short of the Super League Basketball Cup title, losing 83-74 to the London Lions in the Final.
Jordan Johnson put in a display for the ages at the AO Arena, Manchester, dropping 30 points in a Herculean effort. He went 10-22 from the field off the bench, making four threes and hitting monumental buckets throughout.
Tim Adetukasi also impressed with late scores to keep Manchester in the game until the final minutes. He finished the game with 10 points. Meanwhile, Max Jones had 12 on the night.
It was a hard-fought, physical game from wire-to-wire, and one that Manchester made their mark on from the opening tip. Led by Johnson, they burst out the gate to smother the Lions with relentless energy, taking a 15-point lead in the first half.
London had no answer for Manchester’s zone defence in the first half. Every loose ball and every rebound found the hometown team’s hands, and they flew around the court. But London found some momentum to close the half, and by the third quarter, they were back in contention.
The league-leading Lions threatened to pull away in the third, but electric plays from Manchester kept them alive. Johnson and Adetukasi combined to keep it a one-point game going into the final quarter.
Manchester threw down the gauntlet to start the fourth. A three from Adetukasi and a Matt Nicholson putback score set the tone, and Johnson went to the line to put the team up three.
But Final MVP, Kameron McGusty, caught fire, hitting the game-sealing baskets down the stretch.
Manchester gritted their teeth and made plays in the final minutes, as Jones and Johnson worked tirelessly to break down the Lions’ defence. But ultimately, London were able to make enough plays late to see it out and take the win.
Despite the result, Manchester can hold their heads high after what was an incredible Cup run, and now turn their attention to the closing stretch of the Championship season and the European playoffs.
Next, Manchester host Dinamo Zagreb in the European North Basketball League Quarter-Finals. The game is on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 pm, played at the National Basketball Performance Centre.
You can get your tickets here!
Manchester Basketball fell one game short of the Super League Basketball Cup title, losing 83-74 to the London Lions in the Final.
Jordan Johnson put in a display for the ages at the AO Arena, Manchester, dropping 30 points in a Herculean effort. He went 10-22 from the field off the bench, making four threes and hitting monumental buckets throughout.
Tim Adetukasi also impressed with late scores to keep Manchester in the game until the final minutes. He finished the game with 10 points. Meanwhile, Max Jones had 12 on the night.
It was a hard-fought, physical game from wire-to-wire, and one that Manchester made their mark on from the opening tip. Led by Johnson, they burst out the gate to smother the Lions with relentless energy, taking a 15-point lead in the first half.
London had no answer for Manchester’s zone defence in the first half. Every loose ball and every rebound found the hometown team’s hands, and they flew around the court. But London found some momentum to close the half, and by the third quarter, they were back in contention.
The league-leading Lions threatened to pull away in the third, but electric plays from Manchester kept them alive. Johnson and Adetukasi combined to keep it a one-point game going into the final quarter.
Manchester threw down the gauntlet to start the fourth. A three from Adetukasi and a Matt Nicholson putback score set the tone, and Johnson went to the line to put the team up three.
But Final MVP, Kameron McGusty, caught fire, hitting the game-sealing baskets down the stretch.
Manchester gritted their teeth and made plays in the final minutes, as Jones and Johnson worked tirelessly to break down the Lions’ defence. But ultimately, London were able to make enough plays late to see it out and take the win.
Despite the result, Manchester can hold their heads high after what was an incredible Cup run, and now turn their attention to the closing stretch of the Championship season and the European playoffs.
Next, Manchester host Dinamo Zagreb in the European North Basketball League Quarter-Finals. The game is on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 pm, played at the National Basketball Performance Centre.
You can get your tickets here!
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