'Too strong to be called a coincidence' From five consecutive last-place finishes to KBL's first 'nine-game winning streak at the season opener'... Samsung is now a legitimate title contender

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

At first, it seemed like just a surge. But they have not lost a single game, winning nine in a row. It is a great record that no team has ever achieved in the history of Korean professional basketball. At this point, it is difficult to view it as anything but more than chance. Seoul Samsung, which had remained in last place for five consecutive years, has emerged as a confident title contender.

Samsung, led by head coach Kim Sang-sik, defeated Goyang Sono 95-87 in an away game at the Goyang Sono Arena on the 30th in the 2026~2027 KCC Pro Basketball regular season.

With this victory, Samsung has maintained its firm hold on the top spot with a nine-game winning streak since the start of the season. Most importantly, it wrote a new chapter in KBL history.

The previous record for the most consecutive wins at the start of a KBL season was eight. It was achieved by Wonju Dongbu (now DB) in the 2011~2012 season and Goyang Orions in the 2014~2015 season. However, Samsung surpassed both teams to become the first team in KBL history to achieve a nine-game winning streak at the start of a season.

It also set another great record: the first undefeated Round 1 in KBL history. Since the launch of professional basketball in 1997, Samsung is the first team to go 9-0 in the opening round of a season.

It is also a meaningful record in the franchise's history. Samsung tied its franchise record for the most consecutive wins with nine, a feat last achieved in the 2008~2009 season, 17 years ago.

The achievement is even more surprising when compared to Samsung's performance over the past few years. Samsung remained in last place for five consecutive seasons, from the 2021~2022 season through the just-concluded 2025~2026 season. During this period, it recorded a record of 69 wins and 201 losses in 270 games, with a winning percentage of just 25.6%. Last season, it also finished in last place with a record of 16 wins and 38 losses.

Samsung is one of the prestigious clubs representing Korean basketball. However, it has been mired in a long period of decline. Over the past five years, finishing in last place has become all too familiar.

Even ahead of this season, Samsung's outlook was not bright. Although head coach Kim Sang-sik took over the reins in July, there were no clear reinforcements to the roster. Instead, Lee Won-seok and Park Seung-jae enlisted in the military, and Lee Dae-sung also left the active lineup due to injury.

At the season-opening media day as well, Samsung did not receive attention as a title contender. At the time, DB was named a title contender by seven out of the other nine team head coaches. In contrast, no head coach selected Samsung.

But once the lid was lifted, it defied all expectations. Starting with its victory over Suwon KT in the season opener on the 4th, Samsung successively defeated Anyang Jeonggwanjang, Sono, Changwon LG, and Wonju DB. It then went on to beat Busan KCC, Ulsan Hyundai Mobis, and Daegu Korea Gas Corporation. And against Sono again, it completed the first nine-game winning streak at the start of a season in KBL history.

The nature of its victories has also changed. It no longer collapses easily as before. In its game against Sono on the 11th, Samsung overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter alone, securing an 82-81 victory thanks to a dramatic game-winning three-pointer by Kerem Kanter with six seconds left on the clock.

On the 17th, it secured a 95-92 away victory against DB, the top title contender. It demonstrated focus even in a close contest to bring home the win. This was a stark contrast to its past tendency to crumble at crucial moments.

The game against Sono on the 30th, which wrote new KBL history, was not without challenges either. Samsung started off well, leading 32-26 in the first quarter. It did not ease up on the offense in the second quarter and finished the first half with a 56-46 lead.

However, a crisis emerged in the third quarter. Samsung committed a staggering nine turnovers in the third quarter alone, showing signs of instability. Its scoring in the third quarter was limited to just 14 points. To make matters worse, Chris McCollum was ejected for accumulating unsportsmanlike fouls.

Samsung ended the third quarter with a slim one-point lead, 70-69, and even allowed a reversal to fall behind 76-78 in the fourth quarter. It faced the threat of its first loss since the start of the season.

But it did not crumble this time either. Samsung tied the game with a basket by Kanter under the rim, then regained the lead with consecutive three-pointers from Justin Gutong and Lee Gyu-tae. Adding to that, Lee Gwan-hee's scoring helped them pull away to 86-78 in an instant.

With 31.5 seconds remaining, Lee Gyu-tae hit a decisive three-pointer. Samsung dominated Sono 25-18 in the final fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Kanter dominated the paint with 32 points and 12 rebounds, while Lee Gwan-hee scored 18 points by making all three of his three-point attempts. McCollum also contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds before his ejection. Gutong recorded 11 points and seven assists, and Han Ho-bin had eight assists.

There was a clear difference in perimeter shooting as well. Samsung shot 50% from three-point range (11/22), while Sono made only 10 of its 38 attempts, resulting in a success rate of just 26%. Samsung also led significantly in rebounds, 37-26.

On this day, Samsung committed as many as 19 turnovers but overcame them to secure the win. Even when its performance wavered, it ultimately found a way to victory.

Samsung's upward trend cannot be separated from head coach Kim Sang-sik's leadership. Coach Kim is the leader who guided Anyang KGC Ginseng Corporation (now Jeonggwanjang) to a combined championship in the 2022~2023 season.

This season, he quickly imposed his style of basketball on Samsung as well. The combination of Kanter and McCollum's dominance in the paint with the active movement and perimeter attacks of domestic players has made the team's strength much more solid.

Han Ho-bin and Gutong handle the game orchestration, while Kanter anchors the paint. This is complemented by veteran Lee Gwan-hee's scoring ability and the growth of young players like Lee Gyu-tae.

Another strength of Samsung is that it does not rely on just one specific player. A different player emerges as the go-to scorer in every game. Most importantly, it has transformed into a team that does not easily crumble at crucial moments.

Head coach Kim Sang-sik also could not hide his joy. In a broadcast interview after the victory over Sono, when asked about his feelings regarding the nine-game winning streak at the start of the season, Coach Kim said, "It is early in the season and just Round 1, but it feels like a dream. I want to praise my players."

Long-time fans are sending warm cheers for Samsung's winning streak. For old fans who remember Samsung's heyday, it is becoming an especially special season.

Coach Kim said, "I am truly grateful to all the fans. We practice to show wins to the fans," adding, "There may be losses going forward, but even then, we will not forget the play we are doing and will do our best."

Of course, it is still early in the season. As the standings competition becomes fiercer and the long season progresses, Samsung's true competitiveness may also be put to the test.

However, the results so far cannot be dismissed as mere luck. There are clear reasons for winning nine games in a row. Improved offensive power, tight teamwork, and the focus to create victory even in crisis back this up.

At first, it was an upset; then, it was a surge. But now that it has achieved the first nine-game winning streak at the start of a season in KBL history, the way Samsung is viewed cannot help but change. It has sufficiently proven its qualification to be evaluated as a title contender.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original