2022 NBL Canada Finals: Game 3 Review

The first game of the 2022 NBL Canada Finals held in Kitchener would either be the first turning point of the series or where it all ended. The London Lightning had already won the first two games and were now just one more away from winning half of all NBLC titles awarded. The KW Titans meanwhile could not afford another loss if they were going to keep their dream alive.

London once again came out firing, putting up nine points without reply and continued to dominate from close range after the Titans started to find their shooting rhythm. The Lightning increased their lead from outside the arc and had amassed a twenty-point lead after the start of the second half, continuing to reinforce their lead whenever KW found open looks on their end.

Keeping the Titans in it were Jesse Jones from the outside, while Tyran Walker and Tyrell Tate took care of the interior offence. However London, led by Chris Jones and Jordan Burns, kept the advantage firmly with them.

The fourth quarter was do or die for the Titans - they would have to turn the game around now to keep this series alive whereas a loss would mean it would all be over. They kept themselves afloat and after an 8-0 run midway through the period KW had made it a one-point game, with Tate then giving them the late lead. He would go on to be the game's top scorer with 28 points along with 10 rebounds, followed by Jones with 27.

Mareik Isom edged London back in front and upped their lead to two from the stripe with fourteen seconds left. On the last second Jabari Craig went to the line on the other end and hit one of two, with London making sure there was no time left for another shot. Led by 25 points from Terry Thomas, London claimed their fifth NBLC championship and in dramatic style over the KW Titans.

With this, London cap off the most successful season in NBL Canada history, having only dropped three games throughout. They followed outstanding consistency in the regular season by stepping it up in the post, where they dominated in every one of their playoff and finals games and rightfully claimed their fifth championship trophy to cap off an extraordinary 2022 season.