MIES (Switzerland) - Missed Window 1 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers?
No problem, we have you covered!
As teams gear up for Window 2, it’s the perfect time to recap the most memorable moments from the opening window. From game-winners, historical debuts, headline stats to spectacular individual scoring, Window 1 set the perfect stage for the remaining five windows of the Asian Qualifiers.
Hickey's heartbreakers vs New Zealand
The Tall Blacks did everything right in the opening window. Except win.
Boomers shooting guard Davo Hickey’s late game Houdini acts were to blame.
Every basketball player dreams of game-winners from the first time they practice countdown shots in the driveway.
Hickey managed that - not once but in back-to-back games. That too against Australia's traditional Oceania rivals.
New Zealand were chasing their first victories over their trans-Tasman neighbors since 2021. In the opening game they lost 84-79 in Hobart, followed by a 79-77 defeat at home.
All thanks to Hickey’s heroics.
Who says lightning can’t strike twice?
Korea's historic wins over China
Another traditional rivalry - this time in East Asia. But now, it was be the ‘underdogs’ that triumphed.
China’s Achilles' heel is arguably their limitation in guarding quicker-paced hot-shooting teams.
Korea exposed this with some incredible flame-throwing that stunned the reigning Asia Cup runners-up into submission.
After winning 80-76 in the opener, you would imagine Korea cooling off in the return leg. But incredibly, Korea shot even better in game two - 47.8 percent from three-point land compared to 45.2 percent in the first tie.
Korea was of course helped by a record setting nine triples from Lee Hyunjung, who deserves a separate entry on this list.
World Cup 2027 hosts underline their intent
After threatening Lebanon repeatedly over their previous few meetings only to fall agonizingly short, Qatar finally celebrated a historic 86-83 win over their Middle Eastern foes.
The Cedars admittedly are still building their team chemistry, but this takes nothing away from Qatar's fearless play against the backdrop of a packed and loud away crowd in Beirut.
Guam's debut meets Gilas' Domination
They called it "their biggest basketball game in their country", but it was Philippines which celebrated at Guam's expense. Guam was making their debut in the World Cup Qualifiers - a miraculous feat for an island with less than 200,000 people.
But on the other end of the floor, Gilas Pilipinas were raring to make a strong opening statement of their own. That would come on the glass - 61 rebounds, the most by any team in the Asian Qualifiers.
Harris and Hyunjung catch fire
When the name on the front of your jersey matches that of arguably basketball's G.O.A.T. (sorry LeBron!) expect offensive performances that follow suit.
Jordan's newest star Jalen Harris set the Qualifiers stage on fire, scoring 42 points against Syria in the second game of the window.
This was the second most points by a player in a World Cup Qualifiers game.
Simultaneously, on the other end of Asia - Lee Hyunjung was turning Beijing into his personal playground - scorching China for 9 threes - shattering the World Cup Qualifiers Record.
So will we see similar storylines playing out again in Window 2, or will there be fresh surprises in store?
World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers Games Window 2 action tips off on February 26 and will continue till March 2. Stream the action on Courtside 1891, with live games and on-demand replays. Blackouts might apply in certain territories.
FIBA