New Taipei Kings Secure Comeback Win in TPBL Finals Opener with Clutch Free Throws

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 24. Despite missing all six of his field goal attempts today, New Taipei Kings' foreign player Austin Daye sank three crucial free throws in the final seconds to secure a comeback victory. After the game, he confidently stated, "I've faced many situations in my professional career, so I was very confident. At the moment of the free throws, there was only me and the rim." The Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL) held the first game of its championship series today, with the Formosa Dreamers hosting the New Taipei Kings. With six seconds left, the Dreamers, leading by two points, saw guard Chiang Yu-an miss both free throws. Subsequently, Kings' Jalen Harris advanced the ball and passed to Daye outside the three-point line, where he was fouled by Chiang. Daye ultimately made all three free throws to clinch the first game. Daye, who had been 0-for-6 from the field, laughed during the post-game interview about his valuable free throws: "My stats were all single digits today, but these three free throws gave the stats some meaning." He emphasized, "I have experienced many such critical moments in my career. Although the arena was very noisy, I only had myself and the rim in my heart. I believe my shooting percentage will definitely improve in Game 2." Coach Hung Chih-shan thanked Jalen Harris for carrying the team, preventing the opponent from crushing their morale in the first half, and passing to a teammate in the clutch to draw the foul. "We didn't have a timeout on the last play, with 6 seconds left. Jalen was on fire, but he was still willing to pass to an open teammate at the last moment, leading to the opponent's foul. I must thank Jalen for his selflessness," he said.