🔥 Crushing start to the season! Defending champions Guangsha Lions kicked off the 2025-26 regular season of the Chinese Basketball Association (the top league in the Chinese mainland) this past Friday, December 12, with an 88-74 victory over the Shanxi Loongs.
From Mumbai to Manila, fans across South and Southeast Asia are tuning in for this slam-dunk start! 🌏✨
- Rayjon Tucker: Former NBA guard poured in 16 points, making his debut with the Lions a memorable one.
- Hamidou Diallo & Jaylen Nowell: The Loongs' new signings combined for 32 points (17 + 15), but it wasn't enough to stop Guangsha.
- Team stars: National team regulars Hu Jinqiu (13 points) and Zhu Junlong (9 points) also chipped in, while Barry Brown Jr. added 16 after inking a new deal this season.
Before tip-off, fans on the home court got a special moment: the players and staff received their championship rings and watched their first-ever banner raised to the rafters. 🙌
As Zhu Junlong said, "The new format of the competition really helps us get used to international play. We'll do our best to defend our title." 🌍
With the win, Guangsha ups its all-time record against Shanxi to 34-18. Next up, the Lions face the Liaoning Flying Leopards. Can they keep the momentum going? Stay tuned! 👀🏀
The CBA regular season runs through April 24, 2026, so there's plenty more hoops action coming your way! 🏀🔥
Reference(s):
Defending champions Guangsha roll past Shanxi in CBA season opener
cgtn.com
