Nairobi City Thunder are one win away from a place in the 2026 Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) final after taking a 2-0 lead over Stanbic Shield in their best-of-five semifinal playoff. Thunder, backed by a Sh10 million sponsorship from I&M Bank this season, followed up an 82-65 win in Game 1 with a 91-67 victory in Game 2 at Nyayo Stadium on Thursday.
The Brad Ibs-coached side raced into a 35-19 lead after the opening quarter and held a 48-33 advantage at halftime. Stanbic Shield narrowed the gap in the third quarter, but Thunder responded with a 23-12 final period to seal the result.
Garang Diing led Thunder with 20 points, while Dismas Mbaka added 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and five steals. Captain Tyler Ongwae scored 15 points, Derrick Ogechi contributed 14 points and five blocks, and David Deng added 13 off the bench. Bush Wamukota pulled down 10 rebounds and Eugene Adera eight. For Shield, Alvin Otieno and Cliff Alela each scored 16 points, with Alela adding 12 rebounds.
I&M Bank Group Head of Marketing and Communications Mary Githinji congratulated the team on the two wins and said the partnership with Thunder extends to financial literacy sessions for the players.
Thunder can clinch their place in the final on Saturday 19 September at Nyayo Stadium, with a chance to complete a third consecutive unbeaten league campaign.
