Caldwell's Career Night Fuels Samurai Past Aviators 115-104
Rhys Caldwell Erupts for 31 as Tokyo Samurai Secure Dominant Home Victory
TOKYO – The Tokyo Samurai defended home court with a resounding 115-104 victory over the Atlanta Aviators on Wednesday night, a win highlighted by a career-defining performance from Rhys Caldwell. After a tightly contested first half, the Samurai’s superior rebounding and clutch shooting in the second half proved too much for the Aviators to overcome, solidifying their position in the February 2026 Season standings.
The game remained a back-and-forth affair for the opening two quarters, with both teams trading blows. However, a pivotal stretch late in the third quarter saw the Samurai, led by Caldwell’s offensive onslaught, begin to pull away. A barrage of three-pointers and aggressive drives to the basket from the shooting guard ignited the home crowd and put the Aviators on notice.
Caldwell finished with a game-high 31 points, showcasing his offensive versatility with a mix of powerful drives and sharp-shooting from beyond the arc. He was ably supported by Ren Yoshida, who added 15 points and 4 assists, and Cassian Patel, who dominated the boards with 11 rebounds to go along with 8 points and 3 assists.
For the Aviators, Adrik Petrov kept his team within striking distance, pouring in 19 points and dishing out 4 assists, while Ben Carter contributed 15 points and 6 rebounds. Despite a spirited effort and strong defensive plays, including 9 steals as a team, Atlanta struggled to contain Tokyo’s offensive firepower, especially their advantage in the paint and on the glass.
“We knew they were going to come in tough, but we really focused on our game plan and executing,” said Caldwell after the game. “The energy from our fans was incredible tonight, and it definitely fueled us.”
Samurai Head Coach Kenji Tanaka praised his team’s resilience. “Rhys was exceptional tonight, but this was a total team effort. Our rebounding was a key factor, and I’m proud of how we closed out the game.”
Key Notes:
- Rhys Caldwell scored a game-high 31 points.
- Tokyo Samurai outrebounded Atlanta Aviators 56-36.
- Tokyo Samurai shot an efficient 41.0% from three-point range.
- Cassian Patel grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.