Da Nang Dragons vs Nhatrang Dolphins

The Dolphins seized control from the opening tip. After a tight first quarter in which both teams traded baskets, Nhatrang exploded in the second period, outscoring Da Nang 29–12 to establish a commanding lead at half-time. The Dragons managed just 12 points in the second quarter — a recurring vulnerability that also plagued them in the previous regular-season meeting.

Nhatrang maintained their intensity after the break, pushing the lead past 30 points by the end of the third quarter. The Dolphins' offence was fluid and unselfish, with multiple players contributing to a balanced scoring attack. Their transition game was particularly effective, turning Da Nang misses into quick points at the other end.

For Da Nang, the offensive burden fell heavily on import Josep Ababis, who showed flashes of individual quality but lacked consistent support. Christopher Bryan provided energy off the bench, but the Dragons as a unit struggled to contain Nhatrang's multi-pronged attack.

The second quarter was decisive. Da Nang Dragons had hung with the Dolphins through the opening 12 minutes, but everything unravelled in a period where Nhatrang's defence stifled the home side while their offence flowed freely. The Dragons managed only 12 points in the quarter — a scoring drought from which they never recovered. By the time Da Nang found any offensive rhythm in the second half, the deficit was insurmountable.

Lâm Minh Duy (Nhatrang Dolphins) — The guard was instrumental in the second-quarter surge, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers that stretched the lead and demoralised the home defence. His movement off the ball created constant problems for Da Nang.

Josep Ababis (Da Nang Dragons) — The Dragons' import carried much of the offensive load, connecting from beyond the arc and attacking the rim. His step-back three in the third quarter was a highlight, but he lacked the supporting cast to mount a genuine comeback.

Le Trung Bao Khang (Nhatrang Dolphins) — Came up with a clutch three-pointer late in the first half that pushed the Dolphins' lead beyond reach. His perimeter shooting kept Da Nang's defence stretched throughout.

Player of the match: Lâm Minh Duy (Nhatrang Dolphins) — his second-quarter scoring spree broke the game open, and his energy set the tone for the Dolphins' wire-to-wire dominance.

The 112 points Nhatrang scored are the highest they have managed against Da Nang in their head-to-head history. The 78 points from the Dragons, meanwhile, sit well below their season average. With both teams well-rested going into the semi-finals, conditioning was not a factor — this was a clear tactical and physical mismatch on the night.

Nhatrang's dominance was thorough: they led after every quarter and extended their advantage in each period. Run-away scores are unusual at this stage of the VBA season, making the margin particularly emphatic.

Nhatrang Dolphins lead the best-of-three VBA semi-final series 1–0. They need one more win to advance to the VBA 2026 Finals. Da Nang Dragons, who had won only 2 of 14 all-time meetings against the Dolphins before this game, now face a must-win situation.

The two sides meet again for Game 2 on 20 August 2026 at Nhatrang's home court. If Da Nang force a decider, Game 3 would follow on a date yet to be confirmed.

Nhatrang Dolphins did not just win — they announced themselves as genuine title contenders. The Dragons, on the other hand, face an uphill climb that grows steeper with every look at the 14-match head-to-head record. Unless Da Nang find answers for Nhatrang's transition offence and perimeter shooting before 20 August, this series could end quickly.