EasyCredit BBL Playoffs : ALBA Berlin Reaches Finals with Dominant Game 5 Victory over Bamberg

ALBA Berlin made a powerful statement in the decisive Game 5 of their EasyCredit BBL semi-final series against Bamberg Baskets on June 9, 2026. The Berlin club controlled the contest from start to finish, winning 97-66 and securing their place in the German Bundesliga Finals with a dominant performance.

FINAAAAAAAALE ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Wir nehmen die @bamberg.baskets vor ausverkaufter Max-Schmeling-Halle im entscheidenden Halbfinalduell komplett auseinander und ziehen somit ins Finale um die Deutsche Meisterschaft gegen Bayern ein. Das hat heute so Bock gemacht mit euch, ALBA-Fans! 💛💙😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/IBLpB0sy3i

— ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) June 9, 2026

The series had been competitive up until this point, with ALBA holding a 3-2 advantage entering the game. However, there was to be no drama in the decisive fifth matchup. ALBA delivered a complete performance, ending any hopes Bamberg harbored of forcing a Game 6.

Five ALBA Players Reach Double Figures

The most telling sign of ALBA’s superiority was the balance of their offensive output. Five players scored in double figures, reflecting a well-distributed attack that Bamberg simply had no answer for. Michael Rataj led the way with 16 points and 9 rebounds in just under 25 minutes, combining efficiency with impact on both ends of the floor. Justin Bean added 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Malte Delow, Moses Wood, and Jack Kayil each contributed 11, 11, and 10 points respectively.

Justin Bean — 12pts, 5reb, 1ast

That kind of collective firepower is difficult for any defense to contain, and Bamberg struggled throughout the game to find the right adjustments. ALBA’s rotation ran smoothly, with contributions coming from multiple positions and no single player needing to carry the load.

Bamberg’s Offense Fails to Generate Momentum

On the other side, Bamberg’s scoring was fragmented and never threatening enough to put pressure on ALBA. Ibrahim Watson-Boye was the Baskets’ top scorer with 16 points, but he received little support from his teammates. Demarcus Demonia, Richard Balint, and Cobe Williams each finished with 9 points, while Zachary Ensminger managed only 6 points in over 25 minutes on the floor.

Ibrahim Watson-Boye — 16pts, 1reb, 1ast

Without a second reliable offensive option alongside Watson-Boye, Bamberg could not sustain any meaningful run. The 31-point final margin reflects not only ALBA’s offensive efficiency but also the effectiveness of their defensive scheme, which consistently disrupted Bamberg’s attempts to build rhythm and create quality looks.

On to the Finals

For ALBA Berlin, this result sends a clear message as they prepare for the German Bundesliga Finals. The team’s depth, balance, and defensive intensity make them a formidable opponent at this stage of the playoffs. Bamberg’s season comes to an end after an impressive run to the semi-finals, but their challenge to ALBA’s Finals ambitions ultimately fell short.