The Liaoning Flying Leopards began their pursuit of a fourth consecutive Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) championship with a thrilling 123-112 comeback victory over the Zhejiang Golden Bulls on Saturday in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The season opener for the 2024-25 CBA season saw the reigning champions rally from a halftime deficit to secure an emphatic win.
Before the game tipped off, the Flying Leopards celebrated their previous season's success by receiving championship rings and hoisting their fourth championship banner to the rafters. However, the early stages of the game belonged to the Golden Bulls, who showcased sharp shooting and energetic play. Zhejiang shot an impressive 6-for-12 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, establishing a 33-31 lead.
The Golden Bulls intensified their offense in the second quarter, orchestrating 6-0 and 8-2 runs that extended their advantage to nine points at halftime, leading 61-52. Gabriel York and Yu Jiahao were instrumental for Zhejiang, both scoring in double figures in the first half.
Liaoning relied on the dynamic duo of Kyle Fogg and Marial Shayok to keep the game within reach. Fogg, last season's CBA Finals Most Valuable Player, and Shayok combined for 37 points in the first half, showcasing their offensive prowess.
The third quarter marked a turning point for the Flying Leopards. Fueled by Fogg's unstoppable performance, Liaoning outscored Zhejiang 42-21 in the period, transforming a nine-point deficit into a 94-82 lead entering the final quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Liaoning unleashed an 11-0 run, extending their lead to 18 points at 107-89, their largest margin of the night. Despite Zhejiang's Lu Wenbo hitting consecutive three-pointers in an attempt to spark a comeback, Fogg responded with four straight points to maintain control for the hosts.
The Golden Bulls made a final push as Wu Qian connected from three-point range and Paris Bass added a floater, trimming the lead to seven points at 115-108. However, following a strategic timeout, the Flying Leopards sealed the victory with clutch three-pointers from Zhao Jiwei and Fogg.
The win sets a strong tone for Liaoning's campaign as they aim for their fifth overall CBA title. The team's resilience and ability to adjust mid-game highlight their status as the team to beat this season.
Reference(s):
Defending champions Liaoning beat Zhejiang 123-112 to open CBA season
cgtn.com
