Chiba Jets Edge Tokyo Sunrockers 97–92 in High-Scoring B.PREMIER Opener

The Chiba Jets opened their 2026–27 B.LEAGUE PREMIER campaign with a hard-fought 97–92 victory over the Tokyo Sunrockers at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO.

The matchup marked a significant night for the home side, as the Sunrockers played their first official home game under their new name, “Tokyo Sunrockers,” following the club’s transition from Sunrockers Shibuya ahead of the inaugural B.PREMIER season.

In front of a lively crowd at their new stage in Tokyo, the Sunrockers pushed one of the league’s perennial contenders all the way to the final minutes, but Chiba showed its experience and offensive strength to secure the five-point road victory.

Chiba Answers Every Tokyo Push

The game quickly developed into an offensive battle, with both teams finding rhythm and trading scoring runs.

Tokyo played with energy throughout the night, using pace and aggressive attacks to keep pressure on the Jets. The Sunrockers repeatedly found ways to stay within striking distance, refusing to allow Chiba to create a comfortable margin.

Chiba, however, remained composed whenever momentum began to swing toward the home team.

The Jets continued to generate quality possessions and converted key opportunities in the decisive stages, maintaining enough separation to withstand Tokyo’s late push.

By the final buzzer, Chiba had reached 97 points and held off the Sunrockers 97–92.

A New Identity Begins for the Sunrockers

For Tokyo, the game represented more than the beginning of another season.

The club enters the 2026–27 campaign with a new identity after expanding its focus from Shibuya to Tokyo and changing its name to Tokyo Sunrockers.

The team also introduced a new purple-based visual identity as part of the transition.

The organization described the season as a major turning point in its history — its 91st year as a club and the beginning of a broader relationship with the city of Tokyo.

That new chapter officially began against one of the strongest and most recognizable teams in Japanese basketball.

Despite the defeat, Tokyo demonstrated an ability to compete offensively with Chiba throughout the night and remained within one possession or two for much of the crucial closing stretch.

Chiba Starts B.PREMIER With a Road Win

For Chiba, the victory provided an ideal start to the new B.PREMIER era.

The Jets entered the season with championship expectations and immediately faced a difficult road environment in Tokyo.

Rather than pulling away comfortably, Chiba was forced to execute under pressure.

The Jets responded by continuing to score efficiently when the game tightened, ultimately reaching 97 points against a Tokyo team that continued to challenge them until the final possessions.

The five-point margin reflected how little separated the two sides on opening night.

A Fast Start to the New Era

B.PREMIER was introduced as the beginning of a new phase for Japanese professional basketball, and this matchup provided an immediate example of the competitive intensity the league hopes to showcase.

For Tokyo, it was the beginning of a new identity.

For Chiba, it was the beginning of a new campaign with a road victory.

The Jets took the result, 97–92, but the opening night at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO also provided an early indication that the newly renamed Tokyo Sunrockers intend to compete aggressively in the B.PREMIER era.

The two teams meet again at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO on September 26.

Final Score

Tokyo Sunrockers 92–97 Chiba Jets

Date: September 25, 2026
Venue: TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO
Competition: 2026–27 B.LEAGUE PREMIER Regular Season