In a thrilling showdown on January 1, 2025, the Beijing Ducks triumphed over the reigning Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) champions, the Liaoning Flying Leopards, with a final score of 105-90. This marks Beijing's second victory against Liaoning this season, solidifying their position in the league.
Star player Zhang Cairen delivered an unforgettable performance on his 30th birthday, scoring 27 points with an impressive 7-for-12 from downtown. \"This is New Year's Day, as well as my birthday,\" Zhang shared with CGTN Sports Scene's Damion Jones. \"So this game is very meaningful, and I hope to continue the good momentum this year.\"
Beijing's captain, Zhai Xiaochuan, also took a moment to wish fans a Happy New Year, saying, \"May all your wishes come true, and you have good health, and be happy every day.\"
The game kicked off with Beijing's starting center Zhou Qi returning from injury, dominating the paint and leading his team to a 10-4 start. Despite Kyle Fogg's efforts to keep the game competitive with a series of jump shots, Beijing maintained control, ending the first quarter with a 21-17 lead.
In the second quarter, Richard Solomon and Zhou Qi continued to apply pressure, while Zhai and Zeng Fanbo nailed shots from downtown. Although Fogg and Dez Wells made significant contributions, Liaoning extended their lead to nine points by halftime, with the score at 50-41.
The third quarter saw Chen Ying-Chun hit a critical triple for Beijing, keeping the score at 64-52. However, Chen suffered an ankle injury and was taken to the hospital, allowing Liaoning to narrow the gap with a 10-3 run. As the game intensified, Zhang Cairen hit another triple, maintaining Beijing's lead at 75-71 by the end of the quarter.
In the final stretch, Zhang Cairen was unstoppable from beyond the arc, sinking three more shots and pushing Beijing's lead to 20 points at 98-78 with less than six minutes remaining. Liaoning eventually conceded, sending their starters to the bench and granting Beijing their 17th win of the season.
This victory not only highlights Beijing Ducks' strategic prowess but also celebrates Zhang Cairen's remarkable performance, making it a memorable birthday night for the star player.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
