Lightning to strike Nov. 23 as new BSL season tips off

The defending champion London Lightning begin their title defense Nov. 23 on the road vs. Sudbury, the first of a 34-game schedule that runs thru March. Home opener happens Nov. 28 vs. Newfoundland.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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The names have changed, but the goal remains the same in London as the Lightning begin their Basketball Super League (BSL) title defense under new head coach Jerry Williams on Nov. 23, against The Five in Sudbury.

London will play a 34-game schedule, with 20 home games against the league’s eight teams.*

The Lightning home opener is set for Nov. 28 against Williams’ former team, the Newfoundland Rogues.

With the full Lightning schedule released, let’s take a closer look at the season ahead:

FINALS REMATCH | Fans don’t need to wait long for a rematch of last year’s thrilling BSL Finals, as the Lightning and Titans square off Dec 11 in London. It will be the first chance for fans to see the two teams meet since London won the title on its home court in May.

ALL-STAR WEEKEND | Right now, BSL All-Star Weekend is a no-go. Despite numerous advantages for franchises, players and fans, the new fall regular season tipoff created a few challenges, namely a booked calendar making it difficult to find a time and place to play an all-star game.

THEIR CUP RUNETH OVER | Early plans for a North American Cup series, pitting BSL and TBL teams against each other, have been scrapped for the 2024-25 season. The need for something similar to the NBA’s in-season tournament – only with a team nicknamed Patroons involved – to get BSL teams enough home games worked when looking at a six-team. With an eight-team league, however, the schedule filled quickly without a need for an exhibition tourney.

HOME COOKIN’ | Part of the sales pitch of the new league to former NBL Canada teams was the fact there would be plenty of home games on their schedules. For London, that means 20 opportunities to play in front of the home fans.

SHORT ROAD TO THE OPENER | For the second straight year, London opens on the road, and once again, they’ll be making the trip to Sudbury. You might win a championship, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be starting your year off in the Nickle City.

ON THE ROAD | Road trips max out at three straight games during the season, with that trip coming over six days, Dec. 30-Jan. 4, that will see the Lightning travel to Sudbury and Newfoundland.

KEEP THOSE PASSPORTS HANDY | With league expansion into the United States, the Bolts will border hop a bit more this year, with five cross-border road games. For Canadian fans planning to travel, it is important to note that all three locations (Jamestown, NY, Pontiac, Mich., and Toledo, Ohio) have a Target and an Olive Garden.

TIME FOR TICKETS | Lightning regular season tickets are on sale now, said Danielle Renaud, Lightning VP Marketing & Sales, with season ticket sales already outpacing last season by 15%. The team also welcomes a host of new sponsors into the mix.

LONDON LIGHTNING 2024-25 FULL SCHEDULE

at Sudbury | Saturday, Nov. 23 | 7 p.m.
Newfoundland | Thursday, Nov. 28 | 7 p.m.
Newfoundland | Friday, Nov. 29 | 7 p.m.
Pontiac | Tuesday, Dec. 3 | 7 p.m.
Windsor | Sunday, Dec. 8 | 2 p.m.
KW | Wednesday, Dec. 11 | 7 p.m.
at Windsor | Friday, Dec. 13 | 7 p.m.
at Pontiac | Thursday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m.
Glass City | Saturday, Dec. 21 | 7 p.m.
Pontiac | Friday, Dec. 27 | 7 p.m.
Sudbury | Saturday, Dec. 28 | 7 p.m.
at Sudbury | Monday. Dec 30 | 7 p.m.
at Newfoundland | Friday, Jan. 3 | 5:30 p.m.
at Newfoundland | Saturday, Jan. 4 | 5:30 p.m.
KW | Thursday, Jan. 16 | 7 p.m.
Tri State Admirals | Saturday, Jan. 18 | 7 p.m.
at KW | Sunday, Jan. 19 | 2 p.m.
Pontiac | Wednesday, Jan. 29 | 7 p.m.
Rhode Island Kraken | Saturday, Feb. 1 | 7 p.m.
at Jamestown | Sunday, Feb. 2 | 2 p.m.
at Sudbury | Saturday, Feb. 8 | 7 p.m.
Sudbury | Tuesday, Feb. 11 | 2 p.m.
KW | Sunday, Feb. 16 | 7 p.m.
Windsor | Saturday, Feb. 22 | 7 p.m.
at Glass City | Thursday, Feb. 27 | 7 p.m.
Sudbury | Wednesday, March 5 | 7 p.m.
at Windsor | Friday, March 7 | 7 p.m.
at Pontiac | Sunday, March 9 | 7 p.m.
Windsor | Wednesday, March 12 | 7 p.m.
at Jamestown | Friday, March 14 | 7 p.m.
Newfoundland | Sunday, March 16 | 2 p.m.
Kokomo | Wednesday, March 19 | 7 p.m.
Jamestown | Tuesday, March 25 | 7 p.m.
at KW | Saturday, March 29 | 7 p.m.

* The 2024-25 edition of the BSL consists of the London Lightning, Glass City Wranglers, Jamestown Jackals, KW Titans, Newfoundland Rogues, Pontiac Pharaohs, Sudbury Five, and Windsor Express.