Orlen Basketball Liga Playoffs: Legia Warszawa Takes 3-2 Series Lead After Thrilling Game 5 Win Over Zielona Gora
Legia Warszawa is on the brink of glory. In a tightly contested Game 5 of the Orlen Basket Liga Finals, Legia edged out Zielona Gora 84-80 to take a 3-2 series lead. The Warsaw club now controls its own destiny, needing just one more victory to be crowned 2025-2026 champions of Poland.
Legia’s Bench Delivers When It Matters Most
The story of the night was undeniably Legia’s second unit. Dominic Brewton came off the bench to lead all scorers with 21 points and 9 rebounds in just 27 minutes, providing the spark his team needed in a high-stakes environment. Shane Hunter added 12 points and 8 rebounds in 28 minutes, also coming off the bench. Together, the two reserves combined for 33 points, a decisive contribution that made the difference in a four-point game.
The depth shown by Legia head coach’s rotation gave the team a clear edge. While the starters held their own — Jayvon Graves chipped in 13 points and 3 rebounds, Race Thompson added 11 points and 5 rebounds, and Michal Kolenda contributed 10 points and 4 rebounds — it was the bench that truly separated the two sides.
Zielona Gora Falls Short Despite Szumert’s Heroics
Zielona Gora refused to go quietly. Jakub Szumert matched Brewton’s output with 21 points of his own in 26 minutes, giving his team every chance to steal the game. Jayvon Maughmer added 14 points and 4 rebounds, while Patrick Cartier provided a strong 12-point, 4-rebound performance in just 16 minutes off the bench. Dwight Wilson also contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds in 18 minutes.
Despite the balanced scoring effort, Zielona Gora could not overcome Legia’s collective energy. The four-point margin tells the story of a game that was competitive throughout but ultimately decided by the depth and impact of Legia’s reserves.
With the series now at 3-2, Legia Warszawa holds all the cards heading into Game 6. One more win stands between the Warsaw club and the Orlen Basket Liga title. For Zielona Gora, the challenge is clear: win or go home. The 2025-2026 Polish basketball season is heading toward a dramatic conclusion.
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