Last night's showdown in Shenyang delivered major #basketball vibes! The Liaoning Flying Leopards edged past the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 123-116 in overtime during Game 1 of the CBA playoffs quarterfinal series. With guard Zhao Jiwei lighting up the court—11-for-17 from the field and nailing eight three-pointers for 33 points—the team set the tone for their title defense. 🔥🏀
Dez Wells and Cameron Oliver added 29 and 20 points respectively, with Wells' clutch three-pointer tying the game and sending it into overtime. Even small forward Zhang Zhenlin, with just nine points, made his mark by sinking a vital downtown shot to clinch the win.
Xinjiang fought hard too, with four players scoring over 20 points. Dedric Lawson led with a double-double of 32 points and 13 rebounds, and despite a strong performance by Montrezl Harrell (25 points, seven rebounds, five assists), an ejection in the third quarter proved costly. The game was a rollercoaster—from Xinjiang’s early momentum to Liaoning’s explosive runs—that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
On the same night in Hangzhou, the Guangsha Lions cruised past the Qingdao Eagles 110-93. Barry Brown scored a game-high 31 points, and Sun Minghui, returning from a heel injury, contributed to the early surge, making it a night full of thrilling basketball action.
With Game 2 set for Tuesday in Shenyang and Hangzhou respectively, these matchups prove that passion and persistence drive the CBA playoffs. For the young and dynamic fans across South and Southeast Asia, these games are a reminder that every second counts on and off the court. Keep the energy high and the spirit alive! 💪
Reference(s):
Liaoning begins CBA title defense by edging past Xinjiang in overtime
cgtn.com
