UNICS defeated Zenit in Semifinals Game 7 at home – 64:55 (16:10, 17:19, 17:10, 14:16).
Game progress
The opening minutes of the game were dominated by defense. In the first 8 minutes, the teams combined for just 7 points. Then, Andrey Lopatin and Alexey Shved formed the basis of UNICS’ 12-point run. After Shved’s three-pointer, the Kazan team lead reached double digits for the first time in the game – 22:10.
Zenit head coach Dejan Radonjic called a timeout, after which he was able to reorganize his team’s game. The St. Petersburg team began defending better on the perimeter and started making three-pointers. As a result, the guests had cut the deficit to 4 points – 29:33.
Key moment
The third quarter ended with a crazy buzzer-beater by Paris Lee from his own half. After that shot, the hosts regained a double-digit lead – 50:39. Unlike in the previous game, this time the Kazan team didn’t forget trademark defense and even extended the lead.
With 3.5 minutes left, UNICS’ lead reached 17 points – 60:43. In the remaining time, the St. Petersburg team managed to cut into the deficit, but it never came down to a comeback.
X-Factor
Defense was the key factor of the entire series between UNICS and Zenit. The Kazan team displayed best defense in this game. The St. Petersburg team managed to score only 52 points, which was season-worst.
Facts
UNICS became the second finalist of the 2025/26 season. The Kazan team’s opponent in the decisive stage will be CSKA. The Game 1 will be on June 2 in Moscow. Zenit, meanwhile, will face Lokomotiv Kuban for third place. The Game 1 of this series will be on June 1 in St. Petersburg.
UNICS became the second team in VTB League Playoffs history to win a series after trailing 1-3.
In this semifinal series, both teams have won 3 games in a row. During the regular season and the Winline Basket Cup, both UNICS and Zenit had identical winning streaks.
Leaders
UNICS: Alexey Shved (11), Paris Lee (11 + 5 assists), Marcus Bingham (11 + 12 rebounds + 5 blocks)
Zenit: Georgy Zhbanov (14 + 5 rebounds), Xavier Moon (10), Andre Roberson (5 + 11 rebounds)
What’s next
UNICS: June 2 on the road against CSKA
Zenit: June 1 at home versus Lokomotiv Kuban.
