Royal Hali Gaziantep Edges Out Konya Buyuksehir in Thrilling 98-96 Contest

The Turkish Basketball First League witnessed a pulsating encounter on May 16, 2026, as Royal Hali Gaziantep narrowly defeated Konya Buyuksehir by a score of 98-96. The game, played at Gaziantep's home arena, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer, with both teams exchanging leads throughout a high-scoring affair.

Match Overview

From tip-off, it was clear that offense would dominate. Royal Hali Gaziantep, fueled by a passionate home crowd, established an early rhythm, but Konya Buyuksehir responded with sharp shooting from beyond the arc. The first half ended with the visitors holding a slim 50-48 advantage, setting the stage for a tense second half.

Gaziantep came out firing after the break, using a 12-2 run to grab control. However, Konya Buyuksehir's resilient squad clawed back, tying the game at 88 with under two minutes to play. In the final possession, a clutch mid-range jumper with 3.2 seconds remaining gave the home side the decisive 98-96 victory.

Key Players and Performances

• Royal Hali Gaziantep: The home team's backcourt duo combined for 47 points. Guard Marko Jovic led all scorers with 28 points, including 6 three-pointers, while point guard Ahmet Yilmaz added 19 points and 11 assists. Forward Hakan Demir contributed a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
• Konya Buyuksehir: Forward Derrick Williams poured in 26 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. American import Jalen Harris chipped in with 22 points and 5 assists, but their efforts were not enough to overcome Gaziantep's late surge.

Turning Point

The most critical moment came with 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Konya Buyuksehir had possession and a chance to take the lead, but a steal by Gaziantep's Ahmet Yilmaz led to a fast-break dunk that tied the game. On the next defensive possession, Gaziantep forced a shot-clock violation, setting up the game-winning basket.

Table and Season Impact

The victory was vital for Royal Hali Gaziantep, moving them into a tie for fifth place in the Turkish Basketball First League standings. For Konya Buyuksehir, the narrow defeat kept them just outside the playoff picture, now sitting three games back with ten matches remaining. The result also extended Gaziantep's home winning streak to six games, reinforcing their reputation as a tough opponent on their own court.

With both teams displaying high-level offensive execution, this match served as a reminder of the competitive depth in Turkish basketball. Fans will be eagerly watching the return fixture later in the season.