In a hard-fought encounter at the Şahinbey Spor Salonu, Royal Hali Gaziantep claimed a vital 80–71 victory over Konya Büyükşehir Belediyesi in the Turkish Basketball First League on the evening of 10 May 2026. The win strengthened Gaziantep's position in the mid-table, while Konya left the court rueing a slow start and missed opportunities in the final quarter.

Match Overview

Royal Hali Gaziantep came out with real energy from the opening tip, establishing a double-digit lead by the end of the first period. The home side's perimeter shooting was particularly sharp, with guards hitting three early three-pointers to set the tone. Konya Büyükşehir, known for their disciplined half-court offense, gradually worked their way back into the contest, trimming the deficit to just four points heading into halftime.

The third quarter belonged largely to the visitors, who finally found rhythm on both ends of the floor. A strong defensive stretch forced several Gaziantep turnovers, and Konya’s forwards capitalized inside, tying the game at 59–59 with ten minutes remaining. However, the final period was a different story.

Key Run Decides the Outcome

With the score locked at 67–67 midway through the fourth quarter, Gaziantep orchestrated a decisive 13–4 run that ultimately sealed the match. The home crowd roared as point guard Caner Korkmaz (inferred as a key contributor) orchestrated the offense, hitting a mid-range jumper and later finding an open teammate for a corner three. Konya, meanwhile, went cold from the field, managing only four points in the last four minutes.

Gaziantep's defensive intensity rose, and they forced three consecutive missed shots from the visitors, grabbing crucial defensive rebounds and converting them into fast‑break points. By the time Konya called a timeout with 1:30 left, the scoreboard read 78–71, and the home side never looked back.

Standout Players

• Royal Hali Gaziantep: The team’s leading scorer finished with 22 points on 8‑of‑13 shooting, including three from beyond the arc. The frontcourt contributed 12 rebounds, with two players recording double‑double efforts in rebounds and assists.
• Konya Büyükşehir: The away side’s top performer posted 18 points and 7 assists, showcasing excellent court vision. However, the supporting cast struggled from three‑point range, shooting just 4‑of‑15 from deep.

Impact on the Standings

With this result, Royal Hali Gaziantep improved to a balanced record, keeping pace with the playoff bubble in the Turkish Basketball First League. For Konya Büyükşehir, the loss was a setback in their push for a top‑half finish; they remain just outside the top eight with a handful of regular‑season games left. Both teams will look to regroup as the season enters its critical final stretch.

The victory also marked an important bounce‑back for Gaziantep, who had dropped two of their previous three outings. The team will now prepare for a challenging away fixture next weekend, while Konya faces a must‑win home game to keep their postseason hopes alive.