Game 5 to Decide German Basketball Championship Final!
Bayern's basketball players clinch their fifth victory against Ulm in a competitive match.
Bayern Munich and ratiopharm Ulm are set for a nail-biting Game 5 as they battle it out in the German basketball championship. After an intense fourth game, the series is tied at 2-2, with the final game to be played in Munich's SAP Garden on Thursday.
The passionate Game 4 saw Bayern emerge victorious, 67:53, thanks to a strong performance by their players, who, according to Justus Hollatz, played with heart, passion, and impeccable defense. Ulm's top scorer, Nelson Weidemann, acknowledged their misstep, stating, "If we had won today, it might have been a bit too easy."
The million-dollar Bayern project, coached by Gordon Herbert, faces the potential of a season without a title, while Ulm fights to clinch their second championship title since 2023.
Shabazz Napier Shines for Bayern
Three days after the dramatic Game 3 in Munich, Ulm couldn't rely on their remarkable home strength this time. Although they had only lost one league game and playoff game at home previously, they succumbed to Bayern in Game 4.
Shabazz Napier delivered a standout performance for Bayern, scoring 15 points. Ulm made too many turnovers and missed shots, while Bayern struggled somewhat at the free throw line during the game. However, they managed to turn the tables in the second quarter, exploiting a ten-point deficit. In the final quarter, Ulm's performance disintegrated completely.
Young NBA draft prospect Ben Saraf returned to Ulm's lineup, scoring 6 points and receiving enthusiastic cheers from the Neu-Ulm fans. Despite limited experience, Saraf's presence was a boost for Ulm. The team was, however, without Noa Essengue, another NBA prospect who missed the game. Saraf and Essengue have good chances of being selected in the first round of the NBA draft in New York on Wednesday.
Scheduling Controversy
Prior to the final series, a heated dispute between Ulm, the league, and Bayern emerged due to scheduling conflicts. The league rejected Ulm's application to move games four and five, citing game regulations.
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Stay tuned for more updates from the German basketball championship final! The winner of Game 5 will be crowned the champion of the 2025 German Bundesliga. [1][2][4]
[1] Basketball Bundesliga (2025), "Final Series Intensifies: Bayern Munich Forces Game 5 Against Ulm – Scheduling Dispute", 2025-06-25, https://www.bbl.de/en/news/final-series-intensifies-bayern-munich-forces-game-5-against-ulm-scheduling-dispute.html
[2] Eurohoops.net (2025), "Ulm rides momentum into Game 4 vs. Bayern", 2025-06-25, https://www.eurohoops.net/en/basketball-bundesliga/1075608/ulm-rides-momentum-into-game-4-vs-bayern/
[3] Basketball Bundesliga (2025), "NBA Draft Prospects Dominate Finals", 2025-06-25, https://www.bbl.de/en/news/nba-draft-prospects-dominate-finals.html
[4] Bild.de (2025), "Bayern erzwang Ausflug zur Entscheidung", 2025-06-25, https://www.bild.de/sport/basketball/basketball-bundesliga/bayern-muenchen-erzwang-ausflug-zur-entscheidung-68331338.bild.html
[5] Sport1 (2025), "Finale mit Welttrikot: Bayern legte Reichhaltige Fußacket an", 2025-06-25, https://www.sport1.de/ Basketball/Basketball-Bundesliga/Bayern-Munchen-Finale-mit-Welttrikot-Bayern-legt-reichhaltige-Fuessacket-an-605409156.html
Enrichment Data:
- Key Players: Shabazz Napier, Devin Booker, Andreas Obst (Bayern) and Nelson Weidemann, Tobias Jensen, Ben Saraf, Noa Essengue (Ulm)
- Score: Bayern Munich led 32-32 at halftime, winning the game 67-53.
- Series Status: The series is tied at 2-2 with Game 5 scheduled to be played in Munich.
- Title Implications: Bayern Munich risks a season without a title while Ulm aims for their second league title since 2023.
- NBA Draft Prospects: Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue from Ulm are expected to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, and their performances can impact their draft stock.
Shabazz Napier, a prospect for the NBA, shone brightly for Bayern Munich in Game 4, scoring 15 points as they outplayed Ulm, 67-53. Meanwhile, Ulm's top scorer, Nelson Weidemann, admitted their errors during the match, stating that had they won, it might have been too simple. With Game 5 decisive for the German Basketball Championship, both teams aim to clinch their respective goals – Bayern guns for their first title of the season, while Ulm seeks their second since 2023.
