The 2022 season has been a good one for the London Lightning, as the team clinched the number one overall seed heading into the playoffs. With just three regular season games in May, the Lightning turned their focus on their best-of-five semi-final series against the Windsor Express, beginning in mid-May. If successful, they’ll then play for a fifth league championship as May closes – and perhaps into early June.
London is wrapping up its historic 10th season, the longest of any professional basketball team in Canada outside of the Toronto Raptors. The 2022 National Basketball League of Canada schedule featured a partnership of cross-border games with US-based teams from The Basketball League. The Lightning completed their six games against TBL teams and posted an NBL Canada best 5-1 record.
The Lightning opened their season with a league record tying 11 straight wins, but the team had its fair share of ups and downs during the 2022 season. London suffered its first loss on the road in Albany against the Patroons. While being a perfect 11-0 at home (with one game remaining at the time of this writing), London has had its share of struggles on the road, holding just a 7-4 record (with one road game left). Despite some struggles down the stretch, largely the result of a shorthanded roster due to injuries, the Bolts were able to clinch themselves the number one overall seed.
Clinching that number one overall seed means the Lightning guaranteed themselves home-court advantage throughout the two-round playoffs, which begin May 15 (just three days after the Lightning’s final game). At publication time, the Lightning had yet to announce the official dates for their two home games in the first round, so stay tuned to the Lightning website and social media for the official playoff schedule.
And make sure to get your tickets! You can do so in-person at the Budweiser Gardens box office or online at www.budweisergardens.com.
Submitted by the London Lightning and photo by Bruce Laing
