The key to the end of the regular season

The margin of advantage isn't big

Despite the fact that the Army Men are currently ahead in the intraseason series (2-1), the Red-Blues lost their only away game – albeit a close one. Therefore, given the tense end of the regular season, the question of the tournament lead and home-court advantage in the playoffs remains undecided.

UNICS had been virtually neck-and-neck with CSKA for a long time, but recently lost to Zenit and is now two losses behind. There is a margin of advantage, but it's very small, preventing the Muscovites from approaching the game without the necessary motivation. Especially since Kazan has been and remains one of the strongest teams in the league, considered by many to be the favorite to win the tournament.

The green-and-whites' main advantage against any opponent is their powerful and tall frontline. It's dominated by Jalen Reynolds (18.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks in just 22.8 minutes per game), a leading contender for the title of the league's best sixth man, and Marcus Bingham (16.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.8 blocks), arguably the league's best rookie. Meanwhile, Kazan is also doing well on the perimeter, and there remains room for improvement: the club is searching for a replacement for the injured C.J. Brice.

A test of skills and character

The Muscovites followed their usual schedule in Krylatskoye as part of their preparations, and from there they traveled to the regular season game against Aeroflot. Ivan Zaitsev, who is preparing individually, did not participate in the training due to an injury. Furthermore, CSKA's staff was actively working on the recovery of Luka Mitrovic, who twisted his ankle in the previous game. The decision on the Serb's participation in the clash with UNICS will be made on the day of the game.

"UNICS is one of the toughest opponents in the league, and rivalry with CSKA have a long tradition," notes CSKA head coach Andreas Pistiolis. "Besides, the Kazan team plays especially well at home. The upcoming game is a test of basketball skill and character. And we must pass this test."

Past matchups

Wins-losses: 98-29

CSKA biggest margin of victory: 102-54 (+48) (1997-98 Russian Championship. Quarterfinal)
UNICS biggest margin of victory: 113-77 (-36) (2000-01 Russian Superleague. Regular season. 2nd stage)

Game of 2025-26 VTB League Season:

Regular season

25-Oct-2025. CSKA – UNICS: 86-75 (+11)
15-Nov-2025. UNICS – CSKA: 76-75 (-1)
01-Feb-2026. CSKA – UNICS: 84-80 (+4)

Brief dossier

UNICS Kazan

Founded: 1991
Color: green, black, white
Home court: Basket Hall (7,500)
President: Evgeny Bogachev
Head coach: Velimir Perasovic
Website: www.unics.ru
Trophy case:
- EuroCup winner (2011);
- FIBA Europe League winner (2004);
- VTB League and Russian champion (2023);
- 9-time Russian League runner-up (2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2021, 2024),
- 8-time Russian League bronze winner (2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2022, 2025),
- NEBL champion (2003),
- 3-time Russian Cup winner (2003, 2009, 2014),
- 3-Russian Cup runner-up (2005, 2007, 2010),
- 5-time VTB United League runner-up (2010, 2012, 2016, 2021, 2024)
- 3- time VTB United League bronze winner (2014, 2022, 2025)