From 'Five Consecutive Last Places' to a Comeback! The 'Kim Sang-sik Magic': Samsung Defeats Even the Reigning Champion LG... A Stunning Four-Game Winning Streak Since the Season Opener

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Seoul Samsung swallowed even the 'reigning champion' Changwon LG, continuing an unstoppable four-game winning streak since the season opener. The team continued its perfect record, shedding the pain of finishing in last place for five consecutive seasons.

Samsung, led by head coach Kim Sang-sik, defeated Changwon LG 93-86 in a home game of the 2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball regular season held at Jamsil Student Gymnasium on the 15th.

After defeating Suwon KT in the opener and then beating Anyang Jungkwanjang and Goyang Sono in succession, Samsung continued its undefeated four-game winning streak by taking down LG, a title contender. Meanwhile, LG, which topped the regular season standings last year, recorded a 2-3 record.

Samsung's Kerem Kanter dominated the paint with a double-double performance of 42 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. Chris McCollum also contributed with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Justin Gutong (10 points, 6 assists) and Lee Gwan-hee (10 points, including two three-pointers) provided support with double-digit scoring.

On the other hand, LG's Archie Goodwin scored 34 points, including five three-pointers, Kal Tamayo scored 24 points, and Yang Hong-seok scored 18 points in a valiant effort, but the team ceded momentum after Tamayo was ejected for his fifth foul in the fourth quarter.

The first half unfolded in a tight contest. In the first quarter, as LG took the lead with consecutive scoring by Goodwin and Tamayo's attacks in the paint, Samsung countered with Kanter's dunks and scores near the basket. Trailing 18-22 heading into the second quarter, Samsung turned the tide with McCollum's consecutive scores in the paint, a second-chance score following Kanter's offensive rebound, and a three-pointer by Choi Seong-mo. Maintaining its advantage until the end of the quarter, Samsung led 48-41 at halftime.

LG's pursuit intensified in the third quarter. Three-pointers from Yang Jun-seok and Tamayo tied the game at 61-61. Samsung remained steady, maintaining its lead with Gutong's fast break and Kanter's consecutive scores in the paint. Near the end of the quarter, Kanter successfully converted consecutive free throws, allowing Samsung to enter the fourth quarter leading 70-64.

Early in the fourth quarter, LG took a 78-77 lead with consecutive scoring and free throws by Yang Hong-seok, leading to a back-and-forth exchange.

The turning point of the game came with about three minutes remaining. After Lee Gwan-hee's score in the paint gave Samsung a 79-78 lead, Kanter scored in the paint and drew an additional free throw with 3 minutes and 15 seconds left. During this sequence, LG key player Tamayo was ejected for his fifth foul.

Samsung took an 82-78 lead on Kanter's three-point play, after which Lee Gwan-hee hit consecutive shots from outside. Lee Gwan-hee received a pass from Gutong to sink a corner three-pointer with 2 minutes and 35 seconds remaining, and then caught an assist from Han Ho-bin to fire off a decisive three-pointer with 2 minutes and 8 seconds left, extending the gap to 88-82. Having secured the advantage, Samsung calmly maintained its lead until the end, completing a valuable home victory with a final score of 93-86.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original