The Beijing Royal Fighters claimed a nail-biting 92-89 victory over the Tianjin Pioneers in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Wednesday, securing their second win of the 2025-26 season under newly appointed head coach Zhang Qingpeng. The clash carried added significance as Zhang faced his former club for the first time since taking charge of the Royal Fighters.
In a game marked by relentless back-and-forth action, the Royal Fighters capitalized on defensive stops in the final two minutes to seal the win. Team captain Yu Changdong led scoring with 21 points, while Tianjin's foreign import Marcus Foster kept the Pioneers competitive with a game-high 28 points.
The victory reinforces Beijing's early-season momentum following their roster overhaul, with analysts noting improved ball movement under Zhang's leadership. The outcome leaves both teams with 2-3 records in the Northern Division standings as the CBA season approaches its first quarter mark.
