Kampala Rockets edge KCCA Panthers in thrilling NBL clash

National Basketball League

Wednesday results 

Women 

Stormers  79 KCCA 83

Men

KCCA 63 Rockets 65

Kampala Rockets delivered a stunning performance on Wednesday night, edging out the KCCA Panthers in a hard-fought 65-63 victory in the National Basketball League (NBL) at the YMCA basketball court in Wandegeya.

In a tense and thrilling encounter, the Rockets mounted a spirited comeback, overturning a 10-point deficit to claim a dramatic win in a modest yet memorable version of the Kampala derby.

With just 48 seconds left on the clock, the Rockets capitalized on a series of Panthers turnovers to tie the game—and ultimately sealed the win with a clutch final bucket.

Both teams entered the game with strong records, and it was evident from the tip-off that neither side would back down. However, in the final stretch, the Panthers' usually disciplined defense crumbled, and a dip in intensity led to critical errors that the Rockets exploited.

The win not only underscored the Rockets' growing dominance against top-tier teams but also improved their record to 5-4, keeping them in contention for a top-five finish at the end of the first round.

Despite a valiant effort from Panthers guard Davis Asiimwe—who scored a game-high 22 points—his teammates struggled offensively. Giaus Mahamba and Steven Otoa could only combine for 15 points, a shortfall that proved costly.

For the Rockets, Edward Mugabo led the scoring with 18 points, supported by Mpiya Juf with 16 and Brian Opio with 15—contributions that fueled their impressive comeback.

The Rockets now set their sights on their next major challenge: a matchup against defending champions City Oilers, which promises to be a key test of their playoff credentials.

Meanwhile, despite the narrow loss, the Panthers remain firmly in the playoff race with a solid 7-3 record, and they’ll look to capitalize on second-round fixtures to secure a semifinal spot.

In the women’s league, KCCA narrowly survived a scare from the Magic Stormers, pulling off an 83-79 win to extend their record to 7-1 as the first round nears its conclusion.