After suffering three consecutive losses in the 2025-2026 KBL Championship Series, Goyang Sono managed to pull off a crucial win in Game 4, thanks to their star player Lee Jung-hyun. The team was on the brink of elimination, trailing 0-3 against Busan KCC, before Lee’s heroics turned the tide.
In Game 4, with Sono down by one point and only 3.6 seconds left on the clock, Lee initiated a clever offensive play, drawing a foul with 0.9 seconds remaining. He made the first free throw, securing a thrilling 1-point victory. Earlier, during a timeout, he had even suggested a surprising pattern to head coach Son Chang-hwan, catching the opponent off guard.
Lee’s impact was also felt in Game 3, where he scored with just 2 seconds left to give Sono an 87-86 lead. Although KCC managed to reclaim the win in the final moments, Lee’s presence on the court was undeniable. After Game 4, Lee said in a press conference, “We were under a lot of pressure after three straight losses. Before the game, I was worried because the players seemed low on energy, but once we stepped on the court, that disappeared. Hearing that Game 5 tickets were sold out reminded me that the fans hadn’t given up, and that helped us get the result.”
This season has been the best of Lee’s career. He averaged 18.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game over 49 regular-season games, playing 33 minutes and 55 seconds per game. He led all domestic players in scoring and earned his first regular-season MVP award. Sono, once considered a perennial bottom-tier team, rode Lee’s explosive performances to a 5th-place finish in the regular season, clinching their first-ever playoff berth. They swept both the quarterfinals and semifinals with six straight wins, but struggled against KCC in the finals.
If the series had ended with a fourth straight loss, the disappointment would have been immense. But Lee’s efforts have rekindled hope. Game 5 will take place on May 13 at Goyang Sono Arena. The question is whether Sono can build on this momentum and continue their underdog story. Lee added, “After winning Game 4, I felt a bit sorry we didn’t win Game 3 to start a streak. I won’t forget Game 4, and I’ll prepare with energy and focus for Game 5.” If Sono wins, Game 6 will be held in Busan on May 15, and a potential Game 7 would return to Goyang on May 17.
Regardless of the outcome, Sono has already made history this season. The team rose from the ashes of the former Goyang Orion franchise, which was dissolved in 2023 after ownership issues. Dae-myung Sono Group acquired the team in July 2023, and Lee (drafted 3rd overall in 2021) along with coach Son (who joined as an assistant coach in 2022-23) have been key in navigating those tough times.
“We’ve come a long way from the bottom to the championship series,” Lee said. “All the preparation has been worth it. It’s tough, but both teams are exhausted. Now it’s a mental battle.”
