CSKA will host Lokomotiv Kuban in the WINLINE Game of the Week on Saturday.
Place: Russia, Moscow, Megasport
Time: November 1, 2025, 19:30 (Moscow time)
Broadcasts: Match TV, VK Video, VTB League website
Background
CSKA will face Lokomotiv for the first time this season. The Krasnodar team remains the only one in history, who knocked the Moscow team out of the Playoffs before the Finals (in the 2022/23 season). In the last season, the teams played only in the regular season and ended with a 2-2 draw.
In this season, CSKA has already defeated Zenit and UNICS. Lokomotiv lost to the Kazan team, and now faces another serious test. After the game against the reigning champion, the Krasnodar team will face Zenit at home.
Season progress
In the last round, CSKA took over the longest current winning streak from BETCITY PARMA. The Moscow team has not lost in 5 consecutive games, including wins over main rivals.
CSKA came out as winner in the previous WINLINE Game of the Week versus UNICS (86:75). Nikita Kurbanov said that the loss to Mega in the in-season Cup «shook the team up and made them realize what they needed to do».
After that, Uralmash was defeated (86:75). Samson Ruzhentsev shone in this game.
After losing to UNICS, the Krasnodar team confidently defeated Samara (101:84) and Avtodor (91:67). After the game in Saratov, Anton Yudin was pleased with the emerging defense, which «gave the team the energy to play well in offense».
CSKA is currently ahead of Lokomotiv in of average scoring (87.4–84), shooting accuracy (48.5%–46.5%), and assists (20.9–19.6). The Krasnodar team is better at rebounding (37-36.1) and steals (9.6-7.7).
CSKA guard Melo Trimble and Lokomotiv Kuban forward Anton Kvitkovskikh made it into last Team of the Week
Leaders
«What kind of question is that?» Anton Astapkovich said in surprise in an interview, naming Trimble the strongest international player in the League without hesitation. The guard started the season slowly but showed his usual shape (25 points and 6 assists, 4 of 8 three-pointers against UNICS). «I said I would be serious, and that’s exactly what I was», the guard commented on his brilliant performance after the game with a smile.
His overall numbers this season (14 points and 5 assists on average) do not quite match his high status as CSKA’s leader. However, his opponent from Loko’s backcourt Patrick Miller is living up to his resume. In the upcoming game, Miller will be the highest-scoring player (16.6) on the court and the leader in assists (7.1). The guard ranks 5th and 2nd in the league overall in these categories.
Loko rookie Vince Hunter is second in the League in rebounds (7.3) and steals (2).
Losses and addings
CSKA has been the most stable of the Top teams during the offseason and continues to play the regular season with a full rotation and virtually no injuries.
Antonius Cleveland will play first game against his former team, where he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2024/25 season.
Loko parted ways with Royce Hamm this week. The center played 6 games for Krasnodar team and left for Trabzonspor in Turkey.
However, Vsevolod Ishchenko has returned to the team. The 20-year-old guard has already played 2 games, gradually increasing his playing time, and promises to «soon be in top condition».
Preparation
CSKA put pressure on the future opponent with the club’s rich history. When asked by a young fan about his most memorable teammate, Nikita Kurbanov rattled off a whole list of legends, mentioning Milos Teodosic, Sergio Rodriguez, Cory Higgins, Kyle Hines, Andrey Kirilenko and Ramunas Siskauskas. Trimble will have another opportunity to prove his place among this group on Saturday.
What’s next
CSKA is finishing its series of home games. The Moscow team has already delighted fans with 2 wins in the VTB League, but unexpectedly lost in the in-season Cup game.
Loko will fly to Belgrade to face Mega, which upset the Moscow team, after which the Krasnodar team will return home for 3 games.
