Women's 3x3 Basketball Defeats Thailand and Indonesia to Lead Group D

The Korean women's 3x3 basketball national team secured two consecutive victories on the first day of the group stage by defeating both Thailand and Indonesia. Korea, the only undefeated team in Group D, has taken a commanding lead in the race for a spot in the quarterfinals.

On September 21, at the special court set up near Kinjofuto Station in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Korea beat Thailand 13-12 in the first Group D match of the women's 3x3 basketball group stage at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Korea initially struggled against Thailand's intense defense. After conceding the first two-point shot and falling behind, Heo Youjung made a two-pointer to tie the game. However, with the score at 3-3, Korea allowed three consecutive points and trailed 3-6 with about five minutes left in the game.

South Korean women's 3x3 basketball national team player Huh Yoojung (left). Korea Basketball Association

With the score at 5-8, Song Yoon-ha's consecutive baskets narrowed the gap to just one point. Although Korea conceded another point, Heo Youjung again came through with a two-pointer with 3 minutes and 12 seconds left, tying the game at 9-9.

With 1 minute and 15 seconds remaining, Kim Jung-eun made a free throw, giving Korea its first lead at 11-10. Thailand fought back to tie the game at 12-12, but with just 11.5 seconds left, Heo Youjung scored the decisive basket to clinch the win.

In the following second group match against Indonesia, Korea comfortably sealed the win by reaching 21 points with 1 minute and 16 seconds left. Korea took control early, as Heo Youjung opened the scoring with a two-pointer just about 50 seconds into the game. After building a 4-2 lead, Korea went on a five-point run to widen the gap, and from 9-3, they scored ten unanswered points, effectively securing the victory.

Although a 3x3 basketball game is scheduled for 10 minutes, the game ends immediately if a team reaches 21 points. Korea's overwhelming performance allowed them to end the match with more than a minute to spare.

The men's and women's 3x3 basketball tournaments at this event are held from September 21 to 25 at the special court near Kinjofuto Station. Sixteen countries are competing in the women's division, with the teams divided into four groups for the group stage.

The top team from each group advances directly to the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-placed teams in each group will compete in the play-in stage for a spot in the quarterfinals. Korea will play its final group stage match on September 23, facing Singapore, who currently has one win and one loss and is ranked third in the group.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.