In a thrilling match that showcased the intensity of Chinese basketball, the Shenzhen Leopards triumphed over the Sichuan Blue Whales with a score of 96-87 during their home game in Shenzhen, located in Guangdong Province. This victory not only marked Shenzhen's second consecutive win but also left Sichuan still searching for their first victory of the CBA season, now facing a daunting six-game losing streak.
Despite a challenging shooting night for Shenzhen's He Xining, who missed 11 out of 17 field goal attempts—including six three-pointers—he managed to make a significant impact on the game. His aggressive play style led him to the free throw line nine times, from which he successfully converted eight shots. This dedication contributed to a remarkable performance, as the 28-year-old player finished just one rebound shy of achieving a triple-double. He ended the night with 21 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, along with two steals, helping the Leopards maintain a comfortable lead for most of the match.
On the other side, Sichuan's Jing Hanyi and Duan Ruiqi put up a commendable fight, combining for a total of 44 points. However, their efforts weren't enough to change their fortunes, leaving them alongside the Jiangsu Dragons as the only teams without a win in the league this season.
In other games that evening, the Jilin Northeast Tigers secured their fourth straight victory by defeating the Beijing Royal Fighters 87-73 at home, while the capital team suffered their fourth consecutive loss. Meanwhile, the Qingdao Eagles achieved a solid road win against the Xinjiang Flying Tigers with a score of 97-79. Jordan Mickey led the way for Qingdao, achieving a double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while four of his teammates also scored in double digits to support the effort.
Adding intrigue to the Xinjiang lineup, newly signed American guard Kevon Harris made his debut in the CBA, scoring 17 points along with four rebounds and four assists. However, his performance was marred by seven turnovers, which frustrated the home crowd in Urumqi who had hoped for a better showing.
