The Guangsha Lions clinched their sixth consecutive victory in a nail-biting 110-107 showdown against the Shanxi Loongs on Saturday, securing the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) regular season’s top spot and a coveted #1 playoff seed. Played in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, the game showcased resilience as Guangsha triumphed despite missing three key starters.
James Nunnally emerged as the night’s star, dropping 33 points while steering the Lions through critical moments. His clutch three-pointers in the first quarter sparked an 11-2 run, while Zhu Junlong and Zhao Yanhao extended the lead with sharp outside shooting before halftime.
Shanxi’s Brandon Goodwin and Hamidou Diallo kept hopes alive, but Guangsha countered every comeback attempt. A late rally led by Zhang Ning and Yuan Shuai briefly handed Shanxi the lead in the fourth quarter, only for Nathan Knight’s decisive four-point play to seal the Lions’ victory.
The win positions Guangsha as a formidable contender in the upcoming playoffs, which are drawing heightened interest from sports investors and analysts tracking Asia’s rapidly growing basketball market. The CBA’s rising global profile also resonates with Asian diaspora communities and sports enthusiasts worldwide.
Other weekend results included dominant performances by Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Xinjiang, underscoring the competitive depth of the league ahead of postseason play.
