Doha: Al Rayyan moved to the top of the standings after defeating Al Wakrah 97-83 on Saturday evening at Al Gharafa Sports Club Hall, in the final game of the eighth round of the Qatar Men's Basketball League for the 2025-26 season.

According to Qatar News Agency, Al Rayyan took control across the four quarters, which ended 24-10, 29-23, 25-26 and 19-24 in its favor. Tyler James Harris led Al Rayyan and was named the game's MVP, finishing with 23 points, five rebounds and three assists. Al Wakrah's Wesley Mark Alsiger was the game's leading scorer with 31 points.

With the victory, Al Rayyan climbed to first place with 13 points, one point ahead of Al Arabi in second and Al Sadd in third. Al Wakrah remained fifth with 11 points, level with Al Shamal in fourth, tightening the race for the league title this season.

Elsewhere, the Qatar Basketball Federation's competitions committee postponed the eighth-round matchup between Al Arabi and Al Shamal, which had been scheduled for Saturday evening, due to Al Arabi's upcoming Asian West Basketball League (Super League) game against Kuwait SC on Monday.

The eighth round also features the absence of Al Ahli, in line with competition regulations that grant each team one bye during the season. The ninth round is set to begin on Monday with two games at the federation hall, as Al Khor faces Al Ahli and Qatar SC takes on Al Gharafa, in a round expected to deliver closely contested matchups given the tight standings.