NBL enters final stretch with playoff and relegation battles heating up

The 2026 National Basketball League regular season is entering its final stretch, with both men's and women's teams fighting for playoff places, better seeding, and survival.

With the regular season expected to end on June 12, every remaining game now carries huge importance in deciding who stays alive in the league and who drops out of the top division.

The biggest battle in the men's division remains at the top, where defending champions City Oilers and Namuwongo Blazers continue fighting for the number one seed.

City Oilers currently lead the standings with 36 points from 19 games, while the Blazers are closely behind with 34 points and a game in hand. This gives Namuwongo Blazers a realistic chance of overtaking the Oilers if they continue winning their remaining games.

Friday's clash against Victoria Crocs and the final game against UCU Canons could therefore become decisive for the Blazers' push for top spot. The Blazers will also face struggling Kampala Rockets on June 10, a game many expect them to win comfortably.

City Oilers, however, still control their destiny. They face UPDF Tomahawks and Sommet BC in difficult fixtures that could decide whether they finish top before the playoffs.

The race for playoff positioning is equally becoming intense. Rezlife Saints are quietly building momentum and currently sit third with 32 points from 18 games. Their remaining games against JT Jaguars, KCCA Panthers, and JKL Dolphins will test whether they can maintain a top-four finish.

KCCA Panthers and Sommet BC are also battling for favourable playoff positions. KCCA face Victoria Crocs, Rezlife Saints, and Sommet BC. Sommet BC perhaps have one of the toughest schedules remaining, facing Namuwongo Blazers, UMU Flames, City Oilers, and KCCA Panthers in quick succession.

Victoria Crocs and JT Jaguars are also still fighting to strengthen their playoff positions before the postseason begins.

At the bottom, Kampala Rockets remain favourites for relegation after managing only two wins all season. Their remaining fixtures against JKL Dolphins, UMU Flames, and Namuwongo Blazers now look like must-win games if they are to survive. The biggest relegation battle could come on June 6, when Kampala Rockets face fellow strugglers UMU Flames. The result may decide which team keeps realistic survival hopes alive heading into the final days of the season. UPDF Tomahawks are not yet safe either, despite holding a slight advantage over the bottom two teams.

In the women's division, JT Lady Jaguars remain top after winning 18 of their 20 games this season and still look favourites to finish first if they maintain consistency in their remaining matches against KIU Rangers and Nabisunsa. However, UCU Lady Canons remain close behind with a 17-2 record and fixtures against KCCA Leopards, Miracle Eaglets, and JKL Lady Dolphins. KCCA Leopards remain third.

The scramble for playoff positioning between fourth and tenth place is perhaps the most competitive section in the women's league. Magic Stormers, JKL Lady Dolphins, KIU Rangers, Pearl Queens, UPDF Lady Tomahawks, and Victoria She Crocs are all fighting for stronger playoff positions.

Magic Stormers face Victoria She Crocs and KIU Rangers in important games that could improve their standings before the playoffs. JKL Lady Dolphins also have a difficult run against Pearl Queens, UCU Lady Canons, and Nabisunsa.

At the bottom, Angels Basketball Club have already been relegated after managing only two wins all season. Even if they win all remaining games, they can no longer catch the teams above them. Nabisunsa Girls remain the other side heavily threatened by relegation. They currently hold a 2-14 record but still have a mathematical chance of survival.

National Basketball League

Friday (Lugogo Indoor Arena)

Men

Crocs v Panthers 7pm

Sommet v Blazers 9pm

Saturday (YMCA Wandegeya)

Women

Queens v Nabisunsa 10am

Rangers v Eaglets 12pm

Angels v Lady Tomahawks 2pm

Men

Jaguars v Tomahawks 4pm

Rockets v Saints 6pm

Sunday (ABJA Park Naalya)

Women

Nabisunsa v She Crocs 10am

Stormers v Lady Dolphins 12pm

Lady Tomahawks v Rangers 2pm

Men

Oilers v Dolphins 4pm

Sommet v Panthers 6pm