Even in defeat, Thirdy Ravena and the 2023-24 San-en NeoPhoenix make their mark in B1 history.
The franchise-best win streak Thirdy Ravena and San-en NeoPhoenix stop at 16 games, for now.
No. 2 Alvark Tokyo used a strong second half to get back at the top-ranked NeoPhoenix, taking the 94-72 road win Sunday.
At 16 games, San-en is tied for the 5th-longest winning streak in B1 history, joining the 2017-18 Seahorses Mikawa and the 2019-20 Kawasaki Brave Thunders.
The all-time best in the B.League is 24 games, set by the Chiba Jets last season. Second is 20, accomplished by the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the 2021-22 season.
Also last season, the Shimane Susanoo Magic won 18 straight games for third place, while the Seahorses MIkawa won 17 straight in 2017-18, which stood as the record for four seasons until the Golden Kings broke it two years ago.
In the loss to Tokyo, Thirdy still managed 16 points and four assists. Ravena averaged 13.4 points per game during the 16-game winning streak.
The NeoPhoenix also keep first place in the B1, as it’s status quo with Tokyo thanks to the weekend split. San-en sits at 34-5, with Alvark at no. 2 with a 32-7 record, tied with the Utsunomiya Brex.