The defending champions of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), the Liaoning Flying Leopards, faced a surprising setback on Thursday night. Playing at home in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, they were edged out by the Shanxi Loongs with a final score of 103-100, marking their first loss of the 2024-25 regular season.
Despite a strong performance from beyond the arc, with Liaoning netting 16 out of 37 three-point attempts, they couldn’t secure the win. Marial Shayok led the starters with 21 points and three steals, while Kyle Fogg came off the bench to contribute a game-high 30 points. However, the remaining starters struggled offensively, none reaching double figures. Point guard Zhao Jiwei managed only eight points and six assists but was plagued by six turnovers.
Liaoning appeared poised for victory, holding a 100-94 lead with just two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Shanxi mounted a remarkable comeback. Xing Zhiqiang ignited the rally with a crucial four-point play over Fogg and followed up with a block on Wang Lanqin’s layup attempt.
Brandon Goodwin then tied the game at 100-100 for Shanxi. A turnover by Liaoning’s Han Dejun, called for traveling, gave Shanxi the opportunity they needed. Though Xing missed a three-pointer, teammate Zhang Ning secured the offensive rebound and dished it back to Goodwin, who sank the decisive shot over Zhao Jiwei.
In the closing 13 seconds, Liaoning had two opportunities to force overtime. However, both Fogg and Zhao missed their three-point attempts, sealing their team’s fate.
With this victory, the Shanxi Loongs improved their record to 5-1, matching that of the Liaoning Flying Leopards and adding a dramatic twist to the early CBA season standings.
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Liaoning Flying Leopards suffer first loss of season at home to Shanxi
cgtn.com
