Asian Games 2026: China, Japan, South Korea, Iran reach basketball semis
Synopsis
All four Asian basketball powerhouses — China, Japan, South Korea, and Iran — punched their semifinal tickets in Nagoya on Wednesday. The standout moment was China grinding out an 87-78 win over Saudi Arabia without three injured forwards, while Iran survived a near-collapse to edge Bahrain 79-74 after missing three straight free throws in the final seconds.
Key Takeaways
China defeated Saudi Arabia 87-78 , with Liao top-scoring with 30 points despite three key forwards being injured.
Iran held off Bahrain 79-74 in a dramatic finish; Bahrain guard Mustafa Rashed was ejected after a missed corner three in the final seconds.
South Korea routed Jordan 114-80 , led by Lee Hyun-jung's 28 points and nine rebounds .
Host nation Japan beat Chinese Taipei 85-78 , with Kotetsu Kurokawa scoring 23 points .
The men's basketball semifinals are set for Friday — China vs Japan and South Korea vs Iran .
China, Japan, South Korea, and Iran secured their places in the men's basketball semifinals at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, after all four nations prevailed in their respective quarterfinal contests on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. The results set up a blockbuster final-four lineup that pits regional heavyweights against one another.
China Edge Past Saudi Arabia in a Tense Contest
China defeated Saudi Arabia 87-78 despite being without forwards Zhu Junlong, Zhao Jiayi, and Li Hongquan, all of whom were sidelined by injuries. China led 48-39 at halftime, but Saudi Arabia rallied to level the score at 62-62 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter remained tightly contested. Two clutch free throws from Hu Jinqiu gave China an 83-75 cushion with 2:04 left on the clock. Mohammad Alsuwailem brought Saudi Arabia within five points at 83-78 with 1:29 remaining, but back-to-back baskets from Cui Yongxi and Liao sealed the win. Liao top-scored with a game-high 30 points, while Yu Jiahao chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds. Muhammad Abdurrahkman led Saudi Arabia with 25 points.
Iran Survive Bahrain Scare in Dramatic Finish
Iran edged past Bahrain 79-74 in a nerve-shredding contest. With just 10.4 seconds remaining and holding a three-point advantage, Iran missed three consecutive free throws, handing Bahrain a lifeline. On Bahrain's final possession, guard Mustafa Rashed missed a corner three-pointer that would have forced overtime. Rashed was subsequently ejected after collecting his second technical foul of the game for disputing the call, bringing Bahrain's comeback bid to an abrupt end.
South Korea and Japan Advance Comfortably
South Korea dismantled Jordan 114-80, with Lee Hyun-jung delivering a standout performance of 28 points and nine rebounds. Veteran Choi Jun-yong marked his return to the lineup with six points, adding experience to a dominant display. Host nation Japan defeated Chinese Taipei 85-78, with Kotetsu Kurokawa leading the charge with 23 points.
How the Teams Got Here
China had already signalled their intent during the group stage, routing defending champions the Philippines 105-61 on Monday to complete a perfect group-stage campaign. They seized control in that fixture from the opening tip, building a 36-16 lead after the first quarter through quick ball movement and fast breaks. Bahrain, before their quarterfinal exit, had also impressed by defeating Kazakhstan 101-78 to finish second in Group C with a 2-1 record.
Semifinal Fixtures on Friday
The men's basketball semifinals are scheduled for Friday, with China taking on Japan and South Korea facing Iran. Both matchups promise high stakes, as all four teams arrive in form and with genuine medal ambitions at the continental showpiece.
Point of View
Yet the margins tell a more interesting story. China's ability to advance while missing three frontcourt players speaks to squad depth but also exposes a vulnerability that Japan could target on Friday. Iran's near-implosion — missing three straight free throws with the game in hand — is a warning sign against South Korea's physical defence. The real question for the semifinals is whether host Japan, buoyed by crowd support, can overcome the structural quality gap between themselves and China, or whether this ends as a China-South Korea final, as regional form would suggest.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams reached the men's basketball semifinals at the 2026 Asian Games?
China, Japan, South Korea, and Iran all advanced to the semifinals after winning their quarterfinal matches on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, in Nagoya, Japan.
When are the 2026 Asian Games basketball semifinals?
The men's basketball semifinals are scheduled for Friday. China will face Japan and South Korea will take on Iran.
How did China win despite key injuries?
China defeated Saudi Arabia 87-78 even though forwards Zhu Junlong, Zhao Jiayi, and Li Hongquan were all sidelined by injuries. Liao led all scorers with 30 points, and clutch free throws from Hu Jinqiu helped China seal the win in the final two minutes.
What happened in the Iran vs Bahrain quarterfinal?
Iran won 79-74, but nearly threw the game away — they missed three consecutive free throws with 10.4 seconds left and a three-point lead. Bahrain's last-chance corner three by Mustafa Rashed also missed, and Rashed was then ejected for a second technical foul, ending any hope of a comeback.
How did South Korea and Japan progress?
South Korea dominated Jordan 114-80, with Lee Hyun-jung scoring 28 points and grabbing nine rebounds, and veteran Choi Jun-yong returning to contribute six points. Japan beat Chinese Taipei 85-78, with Kotetsu Kurokawa top-scoring with 23 points for the host nation.
