KB Wins Women’s Basketball Regular Season: What This Means for the 2025-2026 Playoffs?

Translation result

[Herald Economy=Reporter Kim Heeryang] Chungju KB Stars reclaimed the regular-season crown on March 30, beating Busan BNK 94-69 at Sajik Gymnasium in Busan to finish 21-9 and lock up first place.

Bucheon Hana Bank (20-9) can still tie KB if it defeats Incheon Shinhan Bank on April 1, but KB owns the head-to-head edge, 4-2, which would leave the top two spots unchanged.

This is KB’s first regular-season title since 2023-24 and the sixth in franchise history, tying them for the second-most all-time behind Asan Woori Bank’s 15 championships.

Hana Bank, picked as a lower-tier team before the season, surged early and midseason to secure the No. 2 seed and a playoff berth.

With BNK’s loss, Yongin Samsung Life (14-15) clinched third place. One final playoff spot is still up for grabs.

BNK finished the regular season at 13-17 and sits fourth for now, but fifth-place Asan Woori Bank (12-17) has one game remaining. If Woori beats Samsung Life on April 3, it would tie BNK; their head-to-head would be 3-3, but Woori holds a four-point advantage in head-to-head scoring and would claim fourth.

The semifinals—KB vs. the fourth-place team, and Hana Bank vs. Samsung Life—are scheduled to begin April 8.

KB, which could have clinched the title with a win, set the tone early with blistering perimeter shooting.

Kang Iseul and Sakai Sara each hit two 3-pointers in the opening quarter, while Heo Ye-eun and Na Yoon-jung added one apiece, helping KB build a 26-14 lead.

KB opened the second quarter with a Heo three and pushed the lead further. BNK answered back behind Lee So-hee and Byun So-jung, pulling within 32-30 with 3:58 left in the quarter.

KB steadied itself with Park Ji-su’s post scoring and Heo’s layup. Heo’s later 3 and more paint work from Park extended the margin, and KB took a 47-40 lead into halftime.

KB opened the second half with two free throws from Park and a 3 from Sakai to quickly reclaim a double-digit lead. Consecutive outside shots from Kang and Park stretched the gap to 68-48 with 2:08 left in the third, and KB closed the quarter up 73-48, effectively putting the game out of reach.

The margin eclipsed 30 early in the fourth, and the outcome was decided.

Park finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists; Kang added 18 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds; Heo posted 14 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds. Sakai chipped in 11 points. KB made 15 of 30 from long range—Kang hit four of those threes and Sakai three—an offensive clinic that underscored their championship credentials.

For BNK, Kim Sonia recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Lee So-hee, Byun So-jung and Park Hye-jin each scored 10 points.