Kazakhstan's women's basketball team secured its first win at the 2026 Asian Games, edging Hong Kong in a dramatic overtime finish, 80-77 (12-10, 17-19, 11-14, 28-25, 12-9). By finishing third in Group B, the Kazakh team kept its hopes alive for a spot in the playoffs, according to infohub.kz.
Unlike their blowout 23-88 loss to Japan, Boris Fatkulin's squad looked far more competitive this time. The lead changed hands repeatedly throughout the game.
In the fourth quarter, Hong Kong pulled ahead by 11 points, 62-51, with four minutes left in regulation. But the Kazakh players, stung by their earlier defeat to Japan, staged an incredible comeback. The buzzer sounded with the score tied at 68-68.
In overtime, the Kazakhs found an answer to their opponents' relentless pressing, took the lead, and literally snatched the victory, 80-77 — their first at this Asian Games. Guard Anastassiya Alishauskaite was the top scorer for the team with 22 points.
ASIAN GAMES 2026. Basketball. Women. Group A: Indonesia – Thailand 61-52, China – Thailand 111-46, China – Indonesia 110-41. Standings: 1. China – 4, 2. Indonesia – 2, 3. Thailand – 2.
Group B: Philippines – Kazakhstan 88-55, Japan – Hong Kong 114-37, Philippines – Hong Kong 90-73, Japan – Kazakhstan 88-23, Kazakhstan – Hong Kong 80-77 OT. Standings: 1. Japan – 4, 2. Philippines – 4, 3. Kazakhstan – 4, 4. Hong Kong – 3.
Group C: South Korea – Malaysia 106-40, Chinese Taipei – Mongolia 76-67, South Korea – Mongolia 88-61, Chinese Taipei – Malaysia 98-59. Standings: 1. South Korea – 4, 2. Chinese Taipei – 4, 3. Mongolia – 2, 4. Malaysia – 2.
The top two teams from each of the three groups, plus the two best third-place teams, will advance to the playoffs. Thus, Kazakhstan, currently in third place, still has a chance to reach the quarterfinals. The team's tournament fate depends on the results of the final group-stage matches.
In the history of the Asian Games, only three countries have won gold in women's basketball: China, South Korea, and Japan. Kazakhstan has finished fifth four times (1994, 1998, 2014, 2018). At the previous Asian Games, the Kazakh women finished 12th, while China won the title.
The official opening of the Games took place on September 19. The multi-sport event, featuring athletes from 45 countries, will award 460 sets of medals: 217 in men's events, 204 in women's events, and 39 in mixed events. Kazakhstan's team at the 2026 Asian Games will include 558 athletes competing in 35 sports.
On the first day of the Games, Kazakhstan won four gold medals. Cyclists Rinata Sultanova and Alexey Lutsenko, as well as karatekas Zholaman Bigabyl and Sofia Berultseva, became champions. After the second day, Kazakhstan was in fourth place in the unofficial team standings.