CSKA Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg competed for third place in the series, each chasing bronze in a season that had already tested both clubs. The decisive fifth game, played on May 15, ended with a tight 82-79 win for CSKA over Zenit, the reigning VTB United League champions from the prior year. That victory sealed the series for CSKA with a 4-1 edge and added another bronze medal to their long, storied history in the league. In the semifinals, CSKA had fallen to Krasnodar Lokomotiv-Kuban, while Zenit were eliminated by UNICS Kazan, stopping their bid for the league title that season. This result marked the first time a club with army roots did not reach the VTB United League final, a surprising development given CSKA’s dominance and their ten championships in the competition.
Shortly after CSKA’s semifinal defeat in Moscow, an incident occurred involving CSKA guard Alexei Shved as he left a city center restaurant with friends. Authorities reported that Shved became involved in a confrontation with a group that pursued him after the defeat. He sustained multiple serious head injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. After a period of care, he was discharged and began recovery at home, continuing to receive medical monitoring and support.
Initial updates from Shved’s representatives indicated that his condition was being evaluated and that medical teams were prioritizing rehabilitation. The incident drew wide attention across the league and among fans, underscoring concerns about player safety and the emotional toll of high-stakes playoff outcomes.
The broader season narrative moved beyond results and medal placements to highlight the human stories that shape the game. CSKA’s march to bronze, Zenit’s hard-fought campaign, and the unfortunate incident involving a star guard all contributed to a notable chapter in the VTB United League’s history. As teams regrouped after the playoffs, spectators in Canada and the United States kept a close eye on headlines, analyzing coaching decisions, team dynamics, and the impact of physical play on player well-being.