In an exhilarating showdown on Thursday, the Shanxi Loongs triumphed over the Liaoning Flying Leopards with a narrow 103-100 victory in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. This win marks the first loss for the CBA defending champions since the commencement of the 2024-25 regular season.
Liaoning showcased their shooting prowess by knocking down 16 three-pointers out of 37 attempts. Marial Shayok was a standout performer for the home team, contributing 21 points and three steals. Off the bench, Kyle Fogg delivered an impressive 30 points, leading the charge. However, the team's other four starters struggled to find their rhythm, with none reaching double figures. Notably, starting point guard Zhao Jiwei managed only eight points and six assists while committing six turnovers.
The Flying Leopards maintained a 100-94 lead with just two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Shanxi unleashed a crucial 9-0 run that shifted the momentum. Xing Zhiqiang made a significant impact by completing a four-point play and denying a layup attempt by Wang Lanqin. Brandon Goodwin then tied the game at 100-100, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
In the final moments, Liaoning turned the ball over during their next possession after Han Dejun traveled. Xing's three-pointer seemed to seal the deal, but Zhang Ning secured the offensive rebound and passed it to Goodwin, who sank the game-winning shot in front of Zhao Jiwei. The Flying Leopards had two opportunities to push the game into overtime with last-second shots from Fogg and Zhao, but both attempts missed their mark.
With this victory, the Shanxi Loongs matched Liaoning's record at 5-1 for the season, adding an exciting chapter to the CBA standings.
Reference(s):
Liaoning Flying Leopards suffer first loss of season at home to Shanxi
cgtn.com
