Moscow will host WINLINE Game of the Week between CSKA and UNICS on Sunday.
Place: Russia, Moscow, Megasport
Time: February 1, 2026, 14:00 (Moscow time)
Broadcasts: Match TV, Start Triumph, League website
Rivalry
In last regular season, the Moscow team dominated UNICS: 71-55 and 97-86 in Moscow, 80-73 in Kazan. Only the last game ended with the Kazan team win – 86-78. In the Playoffs, CSKA was even more ruthless. Never in the history of the United League had Semifinals ended with a sweep. The series between CSKA and UNICS was an exception – 4-0.
At the end of October, CSKA handed UNICS another loss at home – 86:75. The Kazan team started the new season with 6 consecutive wins, but lost the status as the only undefeated in the League in Moscow. On November 15, Velimir Perasovic team took the long-awaited revenge, defeating the reigning champion in the final seconds of an extremely dramatic game at Basket Hall (76:75).
The rivalry history score in the League is 38-14, CSKA leads. In rivalry history, the teams have played 126 games (97-29, the Moscow team leads). 8 of the last 10 head-to-heads have ended with CSKA win.
Power balance
CSKA (22-2) and UNICS (21-2) managed to pull away from competitors right from the start of the regular season and are now proudly fighting for first place. Their closest pursuer Lokomotiv Kuban is trailing with a 16-8 record.
At this stage of the season, it is highly likely that the teams from Moscow and Kazan teams will battle it out for the title at the end of the season. For several months now, the top clubs have been locked in a fierce battle, exchanging wins and taking turns at the top of the standings. The winner of this Game of the Week will break this dual lead and take first place.
Streak
CSKA and UNICS have the longest winning streaks in the League. The Moscow team streak began after the loss in Kazan and reached 13 this week during trip to Krasnoyarsk. The Kazan team has not lost since November 22, with 11 consecutive wins.
On Sunday, one of these streaks will come to an end.
Return
UNICS’ key backcourt player Paris Lee returned from injury in the in-season Cup game against Igokea, immediately becoming one of the key factors in the win. Lee had 14 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 14.5 minutes, including 3 clutch three-pointers.
Stars
The season’s leading teams will be well represented at the League All-Star Game 2026 on February 15. CSKA has delegated Nikita Kurbanov to the Russian Stars team, while UNICS has delegated Alexey Shved and Dmitry Kulagin.
Melo Trimble will play for the World Stars from the Moscow team, Jalen Reynolds and Marcus Bingham will represent the Kazan team. Velimir Perasovic will coach the All-Star team.
Duel
The Game of the Week will feature not only the two leaders of the standings, but also the two best scoring players in the season: CSKA’s Melo Trimble (24.0 points on average) and UNICS’ Marcus Bingham (22.1 points).
Numbers
CSKA leads the League in scoring average (91.6 points), with UNICS at second place (89.4).
The Kazan team leads in 2-pointers percentage (57.7), with CSKA close behind (57.1).
UNICS is in first place in assists with 22.3, while CSKA is in the top three (20.3).
CSKA (38.5) and UNICS (38.4) are the best teams of the season in rebounding.
UNICS leads the VTB League by a wide margin in average blocks (4.4).
