Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers fell short of clinching the 2024-25 KBL championship as the Seoul SK Knights dominated Game 5 to cut the series deficit to 3-2.
Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers missed a second straight opportunity to clinch the 2024-25 KBL championship after falling to the Seoul SK Knights, 86-56, in Game 5 of the Finals on Tuesday, May 13.
While the LG Sakers still lead the best-of-seven series, 3-2, the top-ranked SK Knights have now trimmed what was once a 0-3 deficit with back-to-back dominant wins to stay alive.
[ALSO READ: SK Knights avoid KBL Finals sweep with Game 4 win over Carl Tamayo's LG Sakers]
Tamayo managed eight points, six rebounds, and three assists in the defeat, as Changwon’s offense once again sputtered against Seoul’s relentless defense and scoring surge.
After a close first quarter where the SK Knights held a narrow 24-23 lead, Seoul pulled away in the second frame and never looked back. The second half was all SK Knights as they limited the LG Sakers to just 18 total points across the last two quarters.
Seoul's balanced firepower was led by Kim Hyung-Bin, Choi Won-Hyuk, and Kim Sun-Hyung, all finishing with over 21 points. Import Jameel Warney added 17 points and 16 rebounds in a monster double-double effort.
Ki-Sang Yu paced the Sakers with 14 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop the SK Knights from gaining momentum and keeping the series alive.
Changwon will try once again to close out the series in Game 6 as the LG Sakers host their final home game of the season. Meanwhile, Seoul hopes to continue its climb toward a historic comeback.
[ALSO READ: SJ Belangel believes Carl Tamayo can win Finals MVP as first KBL title looms for LG Sakers]