BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) — As the first stage of the 2024-25 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league regular season came to a close on Sunday, the Beijing Ducks emerged as the dominant force, sitting atop the standings with an impressive win-loss record of 9-1.
In a powerful performance against the Shanghai Sharks, the Ducks showcased their prowess, racing to a staggering 31-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. By halftime, Beijing had extended their advantage to a remarkable 27 points, ultimately securing a decisive 99-83 victory on the road.
Reflecting on the season thus far, Beijing’s head coach Xu Limin expressed his pleasant surprise at the team’s performance, which has exceeded his expectations prior to the season. “We are a new squad, and our target is to make some improvements and solve our problems as the game progresses so that we can get better on both ends of the floor and in our team chemistry deep into the season. Whatever the result is, making some positive changes is our ultimate goal,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Zhejiang Lions and the Shanxi Loongs, both of whom had held a share of the league’s best record alongside Beijing before the round, stumbled in their respective final games of the first stage, hindering their chances of overtaking the Ducks.
In a thrilling encounter against Zhejiang, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers mounted an impressive comeback, overcoming a 15-point deficit early in the final quarter to force the game into overtime, ultimately securing a victory with a score of 107-104.
The standout performance of the game came from five Xinjiang players who reached double figures, with Li Yanzhe leading the charge with 22 points and 10 rebounds, rendering Zhejiang guard Barry Brown’s remarkable 40-point effort ineffective.
Another highlight of the round was Edmond Sumner’s spectacular display, in which he scored an eye-popping 43 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with just 18.7 seconds on the clock, as the Sichuan Blue Whales edged out Shanxi in a nail-biting game, ending with a score of 123-120.
After Sumner’s late-game heroics, Yuan Shuai of Shanxi attempted to keep his team’s hopes alive with a turnaround jumper, but the effort fell short as Brandon Goodwin, who had a sensational night with 41 points and 15 assists, missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the dying seconds.
In a meaningful pre-game moment, Guangzhou Loong Lions’ star guard Guo Ailun received his championship ring ahead of facing the Liaoning Flying Leopards, the team where he previously spent 14 seasons and won four titles. However, he was notably absent from the game, which the defending champions Liaoning clinched with a solid 97-86 victory, fueled by Kyle Fogg’s impressive 31-point performance.
Xinjiang, Shanxi, Liaoning, and Zhejiang concluded this stage of the season with identical records of eight wins and two losses, positioning themselves from second to fifth place in the league standings.
At the opposite end, the Jiangsu Dragons found themselves languishing at the bottom, remaining the only team in the league without a win following a hard-fought loss to the Shandong Heroes, ending 99-94 to cap off the first stage.
In other notable matches, the Jilin Northeast Tigers were edged out by the Tianjin Pioneers with a score of 108-102, while the Guangdong Southern Tigers delivered a commanding victory over the Shenzhen Leopards with a significant score of 123-88. The Zhejiang Golden Bulls also shone brightly, overpowering the Ningbo Rockets with a decisive 114-95 triumph, and the Nanjing Monkey Kings narrowly bested the Qingdao Eagles with a close 89-83 finish.
With the CBA league now paused for an international break, Chinese internationals will convene for a training camp scheduled from Nov. 4 to 20. This camp aims to prepare the players for their upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers against Guam and Mongolia. Additionally, the inaugural CBA Club Cup’s group stage will unfold from Nov. 12 to 17 across four different cities: Dingzhou in Hebei Province, Huizhou in Guangdong Province, and both Yantai and Qingdao in Shandong Province. ■
**Interview with Coach Xu Limin of the Beijing Ducks**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Xu. Congratulations on an outstanding start to the season with the Beijing Ducks sitting at the top of the standings. How does it feel to be in this position so early in the season?
**Coach Xu Limin:** Thank you for having me! It feels great, but honestly, it’s been a bit of a surprise. We are a new team, and I had my doubts about how quickly we could gel and perform at this level. To be sitting with a 9-1 record at this point is very encouraging.
**Interviewer:** You secured a decisive victory over the Shanghai Sharks recently. What were the key factors that contributed to your team’s success in that game?
**Coach Xu Limin:** Our defense was stellar; we established a solid lead early on, and that set the tone for the rest of the game. The players were focused, and we executed our game plan effectively. It allowed us to pressure the Sharks right from the start, and we maintained that momentum throughout.
**Interviewer:** With your focus on continuous improvement, what areas do you see as needing the most attention as the season progresses?
**Coach Xu Limin:** We need to work on our team chemistry and ensure that all players are contributing consistently. Balancing individual talent with teamwork is essential in moving forward. Additionally, we’ll focus on identifying and addressing our weaknesses, especially during close games.
**Interviewer:** Other teams, like the Zhejiang Lions and Shanxi Loongs, were aligned with you in terms of record but faced setbacks. Do you think these outcomes might influence your approach in future games?
**Coach Xu Limin:** Absolutely. Knowing that any team can win or lose on any given night reinforces the idea that we must remain vigilant. Our focus should be on our own performance rather than underestimating our opponents. Every match is an opportunity to improve.
**Interviewer:** you have some standout players making significant contributions, including impressive performances recently. How important is it to maintain that level of play from your key players?
**Coach Xu Limin:** It’s crucial. We rely on our key players to set the standard and inspire the rest of the team. However, I also believe that a successful team is one where multiple players can step up and share the responsibility. It’s a collective effort that will ultimately determine how far we can go this season.
**Interviewer:** Coach Xu, thank you for your insights and best of luck as the season continues!
**Coach Xu Limin:** Thank you! It’s an exciting time for our team, and I appreciate the support.
