Game 3 of the Fonbet Russian Premier League Finals delivered a true basketball thriller. Dynamo Kursk pulled off a hard-fought 83–78 win over the reigning champions, cutting the series deficit to 2–1. The teams will meet again on April 27, with tension expected to be sky-high.

Quarter scores: 24–18, 7–18, 25–23, 27–19.

Yekaterinburg came out strong, starting the game with a 10–2 run and setting the tone through fast-break opportunities and aggressive defensive pressure. However, Kursk quickly adjusted, tightened up on the perimeter, and began knocking down shots from long range. After a timeout, the home team found their rhythm, with Frolkina scoring from mid-range and beyond the arc. Despite the Foxes’ confident opening stretch, Dynamo closed the quarter ahead, 24–18.

In the second quarter, UMMC once again showed their championship composure. The visitors opened the period with an 11–0 run, shifting the momentum and regaining a five-point lead. Kursk answered with a timeout, after which the game evened out, with both teams trading baskets in a physical contest marked by strong defense and a rebounding battle. In the paint, Walker and Kosu stood out, both well on their way to double-doubles. At halftime, the teams went to the locker rooms with Yekaterinburg leading 36–31.

The third quarter was back-and-forth. Within the first two minutes, Dynamo briefly pulled ahead, but UMMC responded right away, as Tretyakova hit from deep to restore the lead for the visitors. What followed was a tight exchange: multiple lead changes, a tied score, and physical defense with limited space inside. By the end of the quarter, the Foxes had managed to re-establish control, holding a slim 59–56 advantage heading into the final ten minutes.   

The fourth quarter became a tense finish. Aleksandr Kovalev’s team raised the intensity and, with two minutes remaining, pushed the lead to eight. Yekaterinburg refused to give up, trimming the deficit to five through second-chance points and aggressive drives to the basket, keeping the game alive late. Dynamo, however, stayed composed and handled the closing minutes better to secure an 83–78 win. Despite the loss, UMMC still leads the series 2–1, while Walker (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Kosu (13 points, 10 rebounds) both recorded double-doubles, underlining that the Foxes remain a strong threat heading into Game 4.

Dynamo Kursk: Frolkina, Repnikova (20 points each), Linskens (14), Sazonova (12).

UMMC: Nogic (15 points), Walker – double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds), Kosu – double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds), Klyundikova (11 points, 7 rebounds).