Kazan will host WINLINE Game of the Week between UNICS and CSKA on Sunday.
Place: Russia, Kazan, Basket-Hall
Time: March 15, 2026, 18:00
Broadcasts: Match! Igra, Start Triumph, League website
Rivalry history
In last season’s regular season, CSKA dominated their matchups against UNICS: 71-55 and 97-86 in Moscow, 80-73 in Kazan. Only the fourth game in Kazan endend with hosts win —86-78. In the Playoffs, CSKA proved even more ruthless. Never in the history of the United League had a Semifinals ended with a sweep. CSKA and UNICS series was the exception – 4-0.
Toward the end of October, CSKA handed UNICS another loss, winning at home – 86-75. The Kazan team started the new season with 6 straight wins, but lost the League’s only undefeated team status in Moscow. On November 15, Velimir Perasovic team finally got the revenge—defeating the reigning champion in the final seconds of an extremely dramatic game at Basket Hall (76-75).
On February 1, CSKA and UNICS, having the longest winning streaks in the League (13 to 11), faced off in Moscow. The Moscow team won and took the initiative in the race for first place. Since then, CSKA has been the sole leaders of the standings.
The rivalry history score in the League is 39-14, CSKA leads. Throughout history, the teams have faced each other 127 times in all competitions (98-29, the Moscow team has lead). CSKA has won 9 of the last 10 head-to-heads.
The Story
UNICS (26-4) is still in contention for first place in the standings, but trails CSKA (27-2) by one win. The regular season is entering the final stretch, so another loss would virtually eliminate Kazan team chances of winning the regular season—and with it, home court advantage in a potential Finals against the Moscow team.
The upcoming game will be crucial in the battle for the regular season title.
Point Differential
It’s worth noting that the point difference from the 3 previous games between the teams stands at 14 points with CSKA win. This factor will be decisive in the standings.
Streak
CSKA has not lost in 4 months. The Moscow team last loss was on November 15 in Kazan, against UNICS. CSKA streak has reached 18 games (plus another 5 in the Cup). The Moscow team is gradually closing in on its own record from the 2022/23 season (24). Perhaps the most difficult step toward breaking that record lies ahead on Sunday at Basket Hall.
On March 7, UNICS’s record streak of 25 consecutive home wins in the regular season was snapped by the loss to Zenit.
Stats
CSKA leads the League in scoring average (91.6 points), while UNICS ranks third (87.6).
The Kazan team leads in two-point percentage at 57.4%. CSKA is very close behind (56.7%).
UNICS leads the League in assists with 22.0, while CSKA is in the top 3 (19.9).
CSKA and UNICS are the best teams of the season in rebounds (38.7 for both teams).
UNICS leads the League in blocks per game (4.2).
