{
  "id": 8241394,
  "title": "S. Korea reaches men's basketball final",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/s-korea-reaches-mens-basketball-final",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T12:22:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260918/s-korea-reaches-mens-basketball-final"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korea secured their place in the men's basketball final of the Asian Games on Friday, defeating Iran 77-51 in the semifinals and securing at least the silver medal in Japan. Forward Lee Hyun-jung led the scoring with a game-high 26 points, including 12 in the third quarter, shooting 7-of-13 from beyond the three-point line.\n\nThe victory puts South Korea just one win away from their first men's basketball gold medal in 12 years. The final is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. on Sunday at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan.\n\nCoached by Nikolajs Mazurs, South Korea will face the winner of the other semifinal match between China and Japan. South Korea won all three group matches, including a game against Japan, before eliminating Jordan and Iran to reach the gold medal match.\n\nThe teams struggled in the first quarter, with South Korea taking a 12-8 lead on 24% shooting while Iran only made two of their 13 field goal attempts. South Korea scored those 12 points on four three-pointers, with forward Lee Hyun-jung contributing to the effort.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA — South Korea advanced to the men's basketball final of the Asian Games on Friday, beating Iran 77-51 in the semifinals to secure at least the silver medal in Japan. Forward Lee Hyun-jung scored a game-high 26 points, including 12 in a dominant third quarter, at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, while shooting 7-of-13 from behind the arc. South Korea is now a victory away…",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korea defeats Iran 77-51 in Asian Games semifinals",
    "Lee Hyun-jung scores 26 points, including 12 in third quarter",
    "Final scheduled for 7:40 p.m. Sunday at Aichi International Arena"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(2nd LD) (Asiad) S. Korea reaches men's basketball final, Japan up next",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/2nd-ld-asiad-s-korea-reaches-mens-basketball-final-japan-up-next",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:39:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "S. Korea reaches men's basketball final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/s-korea-reaches-mens-basketball-final-8246718",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:57:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}