Who takes the last two tickets for the 2025 BAL Playoffs?

The final two spots in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs will be decided on Sunday, May 25, in Kigali.

Al Ahli Tripoli (5-0) secured one of the two automatic playoff spots from the Nile Conference. The remaining ticket could go to APR (2–3), MBB (2–3), or Nairobi City Thunder (1–4), depending on Sunday's outcomes.

The eighth and final playoff spot will go to the best third-place team from the Nile or Kalahari Conference.

In the first game of the day, Al Ahli Tripoli will face MBB at 2:30 p.m. local time, despite already having qualified.

The South African champions can qualify only if they beat Al Ahli Tripoli and APR loses to Nairobi City Thunder. They can also qualify if they finish with a record of 2–4 and a better point differential than other teams with similar records.

In Sunday’s second game, at 5:30 pm (local time) hosts APR will clash with Nairobi City Thunder, looking to improve to 3–3.

If the Rwandan champions defeat the Thunder and MBB loses to Al Ahli Tripoli, APR will finish second in the conference and automatically qualify for the 2025 BAL Playoffs in Pretoria.

Heading into Sunday's games, APR and MBB are tied in the standings with 2–3 records, but the point differential will play a significant role in determining their postseason fate.

FUS Rabat can also qualify on Sunday if APR, MBB, or Nairobi City Thunder finish with a similar 2–4 record and a point differential of -19 or worse.

Here's what they're saying about Sunday's big finale:

Jaylen Adams – Point Guard at Al Ahli Tripoli

"The sky is the limit for us. Tomorrow, we are going to come out with the same energy because we want to be 6-0. Tomorrow’s game is equally important as the first five. We are going to stay focused.”

Dean Murray – MBB assistant coach

"We try to win every game regardless of the situation. Tomorrow is a very important game, so we just have to put this one behind us and be ready to play.”

James Mayes Jr. – APR head coach

"Regardless of the stakes of tomorrow’s game, you always come strong. We know it’s going to be a battle. It won’t matter if they're 10–0 or 0–10; they're a tough, physical team."

"For us, it’s about resting and relaxing our minds. We know it’s going to be a tough game no matter what."

"As far as expectations go, we expect to qualify. It's just a goal that we have."