--- title: "Game 24 Highlights: Catfish edge Dolphins in tight VBA clash" description: "A defensive slugfest and clutch shots decided Game 24 as the Cantho Catfish held off the Nha Trang Dolphins in a must-watch VBA battle." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/full-game-24-highlight-cantho-catfish-vs-nha-trang-dolphin-4b766fc9 published: 2026-06-28T20:03:03.353+00:00 updated: 2026-06-28T20:03:03.353+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["football"] --- # Game 24 Highlights: Catfish edge Dolphins in tight VBA clash > A defensive slugfest and clutch shots decided Game 24 as the Cantho Catfish held off the Nha Trang Dolphins in a must-watch VBA battle. The Cantho Catfish edged the Nha Trang Dolphins 78–75 in Game 24 of the VBA season, securing a crucial road win in a defensive war. Cantho controlled the paint early, with center Le Hieu Thuong posting 16 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter. The Catfish jumped out to a 12-point lead midway through the second period, but Nha Trang clawed back with a 10–0 run capped by guard Tran Dinh Anh’s three-pointer off a Le Thanh Tam assist. Nha Trang led 38–36 at halftime after a 22-point second frame. The third quarter turned into a defensive chess match. Cantho’s guards, Do Quoc Khanh and Nguyen Dinh Hoang, combined for five steals as the Catfish limited Nha Trang to 14 points in the period. A 6–0 run by Cantho to start the fourth put them ahead for good, but Nha Trang’s Tran Dinh Anh hit back-to-back threes to tie the game at 68 with 3:42 left. The turning point came when Cantho’s Le Hieu Thuong blocked Tran Dinh Anh’s layup attempt, leading to a fast-break dunk by Do Quoc Khanh that broke the deadlock. Nha Trang’s Tran Dinh Anh finished with a game-high 24 points, while Le Thanh Tam added 18 for the Dolphins. For Cantho, Le Hieu Thuong’s double-double and Do Quoc Khanh’s 14 points were the difference-makers. The Catfish improved to 12–8 on the season, while Nha Trang dropped to 10–10. VBA analyst Tran Van Binh called it a "textbook defensive battle" where "every possession mattered." Cantho coach Pham Thanh Tuan praised his team’s resilience, saying, "We knew they’d come at us in the fourth. Our stops and transition game decided it." The game underscored the VBA’s evolving tactical landscape. Both teams entered with top-10 defenses, but Nha Trang’s reliance on Tran Dinh Anh’s isolation sets exposed a lack of secondary scoring when he was contained. Cantho, meanwhile, demonstrated how a balanced attack—spreading touches among Le Hieu Thuong, Do Quoc Khanh, and Nguyen Dinh Hoang—can grind out wins against aggressive opponents. The Catfish’s ability to switch seamlessly between man and zone defenses kept Nha Trang’s shooters off rhythm, a trend that could define their playoff push. Statistically, the game was a study in contrasts. Cantho shot just 38% from the field but forced 11 turnovers, while Nha Trang shot 41% but committed 14 personal fouls that gifted the Catfish 22 free throws. The disparity in free-throw attempts (22–8 in favor of Cantho) highlighted Nha Trang’s aggressive but undisciplined approach, which ultimately cost them in the final minutes. This matchup also revealed deeper roster trends. Nha Trang’s bench produced just 12 points, while Cantho’s reserves chipped in 18, including crucial stops in transition. The Dolphins’ lack of depth beyond Tran Dinh Anh and Le Thanh Tam became glaring, especially in the fourth quarter when fatigue set in. For Cantho, the win validated their rotation management, with Nguyen Dinh Hoang logging 28 minutes and providing steady playmaking despite limited scoring. The game’s physicality extended beyond defense. Nha Trang averaged 18 free-throw attempts per quarter, a strategy that kept them in the game early but backfired as fouls piled up. Cantho, meanwhile, leveraged their size advantage in the post, with Le Hieu Thuong drawing double teams that created open perimeter looks for Do Quoc Khanh. This tactical nuance—using a dominant big to free up guards—could become a blueprint for VBA teams facing similarly aggressive opponents. What's next: The Catfish travel to face the Ho Chi Minh City Wings next Saturday, while Nha Trang hosts the Da Nang Dragons in a must-win game to keep playoff hopes alive. ## Why this matters Game 24 wasn’t just another VBA contest—it was a microcosm of the league’s physical, methodical style. For the Catfish, the win reinforced their top-four ambitions, while the Dolphins’ late collapse exposed defensive lapses that could derail their postseason push. Every stop, turnover, and clutch shot carried outsized weight in a tightly packed standings race. The game also revealed tactical trends: Nha Trang’s over-reliance on Tran Dinh Anh and Cantho’s defensive versatility suggest that playoff-bound teams will need depth and adaptability to survive the VBA’s grind-it-out format. The Catfish’s ability to exploit mismatches in the post and transition, meanwhile, highlights a potential blueprint for teams looking to maximize limited offensive firepower. ## Frequently asked ### Who were the top scorers in Game 24? Tran Dinh Anh led Nha Trang with 24 points, while Le Hieu Thuong paced Cantho with 16 points and 11 rebounds in a double-double. ### What was the turning point in the fourth quarter? Le Hieu Thuong’s block on Tran Dinh Anh’s layup led to a fast-break dunk by Do Quoc Khanh, giving Cantho a 72–68 lead it never relinquished. ### How did the teams perform defensively? Both teams held each other to under 40% shooting in the second half. Nha Trang managed just 14 points in the third quarter, while Cantho forced 11 turnovers. ### What’s next for the Cantho Catfish? Cantho faces the Ho Chi Minh City Wings next Saturday in a road test as they push for a top-four finish in the VBA standings. ### Where can I watch the full highlights? Full Game 24 highlights are available on the VBA’s official YouTube channel and select sports streaming platforms. ### How did free throws impact the outcome? Cantho outscored Nha Trang 22–8 from the free-throw line, a disparity that stemmed from Nha Trang’s 14 fouls and ultimately decided the game in the final minutes. ## Sources & Citations - [Full Game 24 Highlight | Cantho Catfish vs Nha Trang Dolphins | 28.06.2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9e8vpsnXs8) — Highlightly (RapidAPI) (2026-06-28) --- Cite: Game 24 Highlights: Catfish edge Dolphins in tight VBA clash. Sportopod, 2026-06-28. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/full-game-24-highlight-cantho-catfish-vs-nha-trang-dolphin-4b766fc9