Defending Champs Kickstart Title Quest With Thrilling Comeback
The Liaoning Flying Leopards proved why they’re the team to beat this CBA season, rallying from a halftime deficit to defeat the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 123-112 in Saturday’s electrifying season opener! 🎉 The three-time defending champions celebrated their legacy by raising their fourth championship banner in Shenyang before delivering a masterclass in resilience.
First-half drama: Zhejiang stunned the home crowd with sharpshooting (6/12 three-pointers in Q1!) and led 61-52 at halftime. Stars Gabriel York and Yu Jiahao powered the Golden Bulls’ attack, while Liaoning’s Kyle Fogg and Marial Shayok kept the game close with 37 combined early points. 😤
Third-quarter takeover: Last season’s Finals MVP Fogg went full superhero mode 🦸♂️, sparking a 42-21 run that flipped the game. By the fourth quarter, Liaoning’s 11-0 surge stretched their lead to 18 points. Zhejiang’s late rally (shoutout to Wu Qian and Paris Bass!) cut the gap to seven, but Fogg and Zhao Jiwei silenced doubts with clutch threes to seal the W.
With this win, the Flying Leopards begin their historic chase for a fourth consecutive CBA title. 🏆 Can anyone ground this dynasty? 👀
