South Korea secured a hard-fought 67-57 victory over Japan in Nagoya on Sunday, claiming the men’s basketball gold medal at the Asian Games. In a high-pressure environment at a packed IG Arena, Lee Hyun-jun delivered an exceptional performance, netting 27 points including five shots from beyond the arc. While the teams remained deadlocked at halftime, the Koreans leaned on their greater experience to pull away in the third quarter, eventually building a lead that the host nation couldn’t overcome. The win marked South Korea’s fourth Asian Games title and their first since 2014, leaving the Japanese side—led by Ren Kanechika’s 13 points—disappointed after a second-half slump.

The victory was particularly emotional for the South Korean squad, who celebrated alongside their Latvian coach, Nikolajs Mazurs. Lee, visibly moved by the achievement, credited the unwavering support of the traveling fans and the personal sacrifices made by their coach as key factors in their success. Meanwhile, in the bronze medal match, Iran edged out China 79-70. Despite China holding a narrow lead at the break, Iran surged forward in the second half, relying on the leadership of former NBA prospect Arsalan Kazemi to withstand a late Chinese rally and secure a spot on the podium.