The Guangsha Lions made history on Thursday night, defeating the three-time defending champion Liaoning Flying Leopards 109-98 in Game 3 of their Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) semifinal series. The victory completed a dominant 3-0 sweep, marking the first time since 2018 that Liaoning has failed to reach the championship round.
Playing before a packed crowd in Liaoning Province's Shenyang City, the Lions overcame an early 12-point deficit through stellar performances by center Hu Jinqiu (36 points, 10 rebounds) and guards Barry Brown (25 points, 9 assists) and Sun Minghui (17 points, 9 assists). Their coordinated offense overwhelmed Liaoning's defense, with Guangsha finishing with 28 team assists compared to the hosts' 18.
Liaoning's challenges became apparent in rebounding, where they were outmuscled 46-28. Despite five players scoring in double digits – including Zhao Jiwei and Dez Wells with 17 points each – the reigning champions couldn't match Guangsha's transition game after halftime. The Lions sealed their Finals berth with a decisive 41-21 second-quarter explosion that shifted momentum permanently.
This win carries historical weight: Guangsha had previously fallen to Liaoning in both the 2018 and 2022 Finals. The team now awaits either the Beijing Ducks or Shanxi Loongs for the championship series, with Beijing holding a 2-0 lead heading into Friday's Game 3.
