The Super League Basketball Trophy Final combatants were confirmed this weekend with the Newcastle Eagles looking to retain their crown against the Championship leaders, London Lions, at Utilita Arena Birmingham on February 1.
Alongside the Trophy action dominating the first week of action in 2026, there was also one game in the Championship as the Surrey 89ers travelled to the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks.
Eagles soar back to Birmingham by downing the Phoenix
Newcastle Eagles will aim for back-to-back SLB Trophy wins after they ousted the Cheshire Phoenix over two legs.
Powered by Gus Okafor and Ray’Sean Taylor, the Eagles captured the first leg over the Phoenix 100-89.
Both Okafor and Taylor had 16 points, with the former pulling down 10 rebounds, as Newcastle shot an exceptional 55% from the field, hitting 13 three-pointers and holding the usually deadly Cheshire to 7/27 from deep.
Skyler White mustered 16 points to lead the Phoenix, but despite defeat, they knew they still had a chance to dethrone Newcastle on their home floor.
And in the second leg, the Phoenix did just that, as Patrick Robinson exploded for 40 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a dominant 112-105 victory, where Cheshire poured in 42 points in a frantic fourth quarter.
However, despite forcing Newcastle into 18 turnovers and taking an incredible 21 field goals more than their counterparts, Cheshire were unable to overturn the aggregate score, as Eagles came away with a narrow 205-201 win to punch their ticket to Birmingham.
Taylor again led Newcastle in the second leg with 22 points and four boards.
London fly past Bristol to book Trophy Final spot
London Lions sealed their spot in the SLB Trophy Final with a two-legged win over the spirited Bristol Flyers.
A commanding 21-7 third quarter paved the way for the Lions to come away with a 77-58 win over the Flyers at the CopperBox.
Jermar Randle led the Lions with 15 points, helped along by Karolis Lukosiunas’ 14 as London held Bristol to 33% from the field.
Will Yoakum paced the Flyers with a game-high 18 points, but looking to the second leg, Bristol had it all to do.
To the Flyers’ credit, they came out all guns blazing in the next tie, racing out to an early 24-13 lead after one, but as the game progressed, London slowly got into their groove and squeaked past 77-76 on the night, and 153-135 overall.
Yoakum led the Flyers again with 17 points. Randle and Jonathan Brown led the Lions with 16 points apiece.
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 88-94 Surrey 89ers
After four straight losses, the Surrey 89ers have bounced back after securing their second win in a row by downing the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 94-88 at the Canon Medical Arena.
In the sole game in the Championship, the Niners were consistent throughout, shooting 55% from the field and leading for most of the game.
Isiah Small led Surrey with 20 points, with Kino Lily Jr. chipping in with 17 and Tyrin Lawrence enjoying a stellar debut with 15.
Prentiss Nixon led the Sharks with 19 points.
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