London Lightning

Around the Perimeter: Lightning one win away from fifth title
The Lightning, who escaped with an OT win Sunday in Game 2, can clinch the 2022 NBLC title on the road Wednesday. But a scrappy, undermanned K-W Titans squad will not make it easy.

Around the Perimeter: Lightning strike first, but adjustments needed
The Lightning will take a 1-0 series lead into Sunday’s Game 2 against the K-W Titans in the NBLC Finals. But it was far from an easy win Friday, and they’ll need to make adjustments as the series continues.

Around the Perimeter: Will Lightning take care of ‘unfinished business’?
Can the Lightning cap off a dominant season by winning an NBLC championship? Only the K-W Titans stand in the way of London capturing a fifth title — in the league’s 10th anniversary season.

Around the Perimeter: It’s playoff time
The Lightning open the playoffs Sunday against the Windsor Express in a best-of-five first-round series. What should fans expect?

Around the Perimeter: Bolts rounding into playoff form
A big road win in Sudbury had to boost the Bolts’ confidence as they prepare for playoffs; Plenty of Lightning players are up for potential awards; The playoff schedule is set.

Around the Perimeter: Playoff prep happens now
With only two games left, the Lightning are making adjustments and planning for playoffs; Is Chris Jones still in the picture? A breakdown of year one of the NBLC-TBL partnership.

Banged-up Lightning return for stretch-run
The injuries have mounted. They’ve played with a short bench. Fortunately, their schedule has lightened. With four games remaining, the Lightning are hoping to peak for playoffs come mid-May

Around the Perimeter: How will new-look lineup fare?
Gone is All-Star Chris Jones. In is three-point threat Ryan Taylor. Point guard Jaylon Tate has been great, but he may need to be greater for Lightning down the stretch.

The Devil and Chris Jones
Lightning point guard Chris Jones spoke only days ago about struggling with his mother’s death, wrestling with his own demons, and his hopes of a new start in London – hopes now dashed by his own hand.

How do you beat the Lightning? Ask their coach.
They’re 13-2. Unbeaten at home. But they are beatable. They have their flaws, and coach Doug Plumb knows it. He’s working tirelessly to address the team’s weaknesses — and have his troops ready to peak come playoff time.

Around the Perimeter: Tough road sched ahead
The Lightning didn’t set a record for wins to start a season, but they’re 3.5 games up on KW Titans in the standings. Those foes will face off Wednesday. That, plus accolades, new signings and more from our hoops columnist Jason Winders

The best is yet to come for Williams
Amir Williams, the Lightning’s premier big man, is an efficient scorer and top shot blocker. As his minutes continue to climb, he just may be the key to the team’s chances at a fifth NBLC title this season.

Can Knights go from rebuild straight to contention?

Gosling’s first pro season brings a championship – and change

What goes into maintaining the world’s oldest ballpark?

Well-traveled Janisse locking down games for Majors
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About the Lightning
Founded in 2011, the London Lightning are a professional basketball team that competes in the National Basketball League of Canada (also founded in 2011). Under the ownership of local businessman Vito Frijia and the guidance of head coach Micheal Ray Richardson, a former NBA pro, the Lightning won the league’s inaugural championship in 2011-12 (over the Halifax Rainmen) and then repeated as champions the following year (against the Summerside Storm).
In 2016-17, led by the franchise’s third head coach, Kyle Julius, the Lightning enjoyed a record-setting year with a 35-5 regular season record (and 11-2 in the postseason) en route to winning the team’s third NBLC title. With Keith Vassell at the helm in 2017-18, the Lightning repeated as champions, capturing the franchise’s fourth title in seven years.
In 2019-20, prior to the league being shut down in March 2020 due to COVID-19, the Lighting, under the guidance of head coach Doug Plumb, sat in first place in the league’s Central Division.
The Lightning, who play their home games at Budweiser Gardens, have had numerous award winners over the years. They include league MVP (Gabe Freeman in 2012, Royce White in 2017), Canadian of the Year (Garrett Williamson in 2014, Warren Ward in 2016), Coach of the Year (Richardson in 2012 and 2013, Julius in 2017) and Executive of the Year (Taylor Brown in 2014, Frijia in 2015).