The BNXT League delivered one of its most explosive offensive nights of the season as Port of Antwerp Giants outgunned Kortrijk 113-106 in a high-tempo thriller in Antwerp. The Giants crossed the century mark with room to spare, turning a tightly contested Belgian derby into a showcase of shot-making, transition basketball and clutch execution down the stretch.

With the win, Antwerp strengthened its position in the BNXT League standings and continued to build momentum in front of its home crowd, while Kortrijk left the floor with plenty of encouragement despite the defeat — having pushed one of the league's most consistent programs to the limit for a full 40 minutes.

Match Overview

The contest was billed as a meeting between Antwerp's structured half-court offense and Kortrijk's aggressive, up-tempo approach, and it lived up to that billing almost immediately. Both teams shot the ball with confidence from the opening tip, and neither defense was able to establish real control for long stretches.

• Final score: Port of Antwerp Giants 113, Kortrijk 106
• Competition: BNXT League
• Venue: Home court of the Port of Antwerp Giants
• Match date: 11 October 2026
• Game profile: High-scoring, fast-paced, decided in the final minutes

The Giants' scoring total was the headline of the evening. In a league where 80-point performances are often enough to win, Antwerp's ability to reach 113 points reflects how efficiently the team moved the ball and how many easy looks it generated in transition.

Key Moments

Kortrijk stayed within touching distance for most of the night, answering nearly every Antwerp run with a response of its own. Whenever the Giants threatened to pull away, the visitors found points from the perimeter or through second-chance opportunities.

The decisive stretch came late in the fourth quarter. With the game still in the balance, Antwerp tightened its defensive rotations, forced a pair of hurried Kortrijk possessions, and converted those stops into quick points at the other end. That brief run — built on defensive discipline rather than spectacular individual play — proved to be the difference between a comfortable finish and a nervous one.

Free-throw shooting also mattered. In a game decided by single digits, the Giants' composure at the line in the closing minutes effectively closed the door on Kortrijk's comeback hopes.

Standout Performers

Antwerp's backcourt set the tone throughout, pushing the pace and creating open shots for teammates. The Giants' ball movement was a recurring theme, with multiple players finishing in double figures — a hallmark of a team that shares the scoring load rather than depending on a single star.

Kortrijk, meanwhile, produced a gritty offensive performance of its own. The visitors' guards attacked the rim aggressively and their shooters punished Antwerp whenever the defense collapsed inside. Reaching 106 points on the road is no small achievement, and it underlined just how competitive the Kortrijk squad can be when its perimeter game is clicking.

Tactical Story

The game's tactical narrative was simple: pace versus structure.

Antwerp wanted an open, flowing game — quick outlet passes, early offense, and drives that collapsed the defense before it could set. Kortrijk was happy to trade baskets but looked to slow the game in half-court situations and exploit mismatches inside.

In the end, Antwerp's ability to dictate tempo won out. The Giants generated a steady stream of high-percentage attempts and maintained their rhythm even when Kortrijk made runs. Defensively, neither team was dominant, but Antwerp's late-game stops were the single most important factor in the result.

Standings and Season Impact

The victory is a meaningful one in the BNXT League table. Every win in the Belgian-Dutch competition carries weight, particularly when the margins between playoff contenders remain thin. Antwerp's ability to win a shootout — rather than only grinding out low-scoring games — signals real versatility as the season progresses.

For Kortrijk, the loss is frustrating but far from damaging. Scoring 106 points on the road against a strong opponent shows the team is capable of competing with the league's upper tier. If Kortrijk can tighten its late-game defense, results like this one could easily flip in its favor in the return fixture.

What's Next

Both teams now turn their attention to the next round of BNXT League fixtures, where consistency will be key. Antwerp will look to carry its offensive rhythm forward, while Kortrijk will focus on the small details — turnovers, defensive rebounding and execution in the final three minutes — that s