Basketball Löwen Braunschweig fight against relegation in the BBL

The Basketball Löwen Braunschweig are entering the final phase of the easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga 2025/2026 under maximum pressure. After 31 games, the team is in 18th place with 16 points, and the record of 8:23 reflects the acute danger of relegation. The recent form offers little relief: in the last ten games, there have been seven defeats.

Looking at the standings, it becomes clear why every remaining game gains importance. In the BBL, the number of points determines the ranking, and in the event of a tie, further criteria such as head-to-head results or point differences may become relevant. For Braunschweig, this means: even single victories can change the situation in a tight relegation battle – but another setback can just as quickly worsen the situation.

The recent results show a mixed picture

The past weeks have intensified the ups and downs of the Löwen. On April 14, they achieved a 93:82 away win at Science City Jena, with Ferdinand Zylka as the top scorer of the game. On April 19, they followed up with a clear 112:93 home win against SYNTAINICS MBC, this time led by Bryant Crawford as Braunschweig's top scorer.

But the next setback came promptly: on April 24, Braunschweig lost clearly at RASTA Vechta with 98:120, with Alonzo Verge Jr. (Vechta) as the top scorer of the game. Such results are symbolic of a season in which positive signals could rarely be stabilized.

Why the numbers fit the record

The team statistics explain why Braunschweig has often been trailing so far. Offensively, the team averages 81.8 points per game, while opponents score 90. This is more than just a hint at a lack of scoring power: when the opponent regularly approaches the 90-point mark, the pressure increases to use every possession efficiently – and mistakes become decisive more quickly.

Braunschweig also lags behind in rebounds (36.3 to 39.8) and assists (17.4 to 19.1) on average. Both indicate that the Löwen often have disadvantages in second chances and game control. The shooting efficiency fits the picture: a 44.5 percent field goal percentage compared to 48 percent for opponents. Over a season, even a small deficit in shooting percentage adds up to a structural disadvantage, as it allows fewer "easy" points in close phases and the defense has to deliver more stops at the same time.

Also striking is the distribution of wins: six of the eight victories were achieved at home, with only two away wins. In contrast, there are nine home defeats and 14 losses in foreign arenas. Of a total of 2535 points scored, Braunschweig scored 1255 in their home arena – an indication that the team can benefit from the environment, but the baseline level of consistency is not high enough to regularly convert home advantage into points.

A young team and the last games

The head coach of Basketball Löwen is Ramón Díaz Sánchez, with Liviu Calin, Pedro Gonzalez, Keith Thomas, and Ferried Naciri also on the coaching staff. The squad consists of 22 players with an average age of 24.1 years – a comparatively young team that, on the one hand, brings development potential, but on the other hand, can show more fluctuations in pressure situations. The roster includes 10 guards, 7 forwards, and 5 centers; 13 players have German nationality, 9 others come from seven nations.

In the most recent successful moments, Bryant Crawford and Ferdinand Zylka especially carried the offense as top scorers. If Braunschweig wants to secure their league status on their own, it will be important in the remaining games to combine these individual peaks with more stable team parameters – especially defensively, in rebounding, and in shooting efficiency.

Schedule and outlook

The schedule leaves little time to catch their breath. On May 2, there will be a home game against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg at the Volkswagen Halle Braunschweig (capacity: 6,358). After that, the following games are scheduled:

• May 8: Away game at EWE Baskets Oldenburg
• May 10: Home game against NINERS Chemnitz

All three games will be broadcast on DYN.

The situation is clear: Braunschweig has recently shown that wins are possible – but the standings and season stats also make it clear how narrow the margin remains. Against Ludwigsburg, therefore, not only the result counts, but also the question of whether the Löwen can manage to stabilize their performance over several games for the first time.