BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The opening round of the 2025-26 Chinese Basketball Association season wrapped up Sunday with two overtime games, as Guangdong and Ningbo began their campaigns with dramatic wins.
The Guangdong Southern Tigers outlasted the Nanjing Monkey Kings 107-102 in overtime, overcoming a career-high 42 points from Guo Haowen.
Guangdong lost starting guard Xu Jie to injury early but still built a 13-point halftime lead behind Jarred Sullinger. Nanjing surged back in the third quarter on Guo's 3-point shooting, while Marcus LoVett Jr., quiet in the first half, found his rhythm as Nanjing shot nearly 80 percent in the period.
In the final minute of regulation, Guangdong's Edmond Sumner and Nanjing center Richard Solomon traded free throws to leave the score at 94, sending the game to overtime. Guangdong then opened the extra session with an 11-0 run. Guo kept Nanjing close with back-to-back steals and a three-point play, but fatigue took its toll and Guangdong held on.
Sumner finished with 26 points and Sullinger added 19. Guo had 42 points, six rebounds and eight assists in the loss.
Despite the setback, Zhejiang head coach Wang Shilong said he was pleased with his team's defensive effort. "We were just a bit unlucky today," Wang said. "The season is long, and there is still a lot we need to learn and improve through games."
Guo said the group has responded well since Wang took charge. "Everyone is playing with great intensity," he said. "We fought until the final moment on the road, and it's a pity we didn't get the win. We are going to train harder and try to get better with each game."
In the other overtime matchup, the Ningbo Rockets beat the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 106-101. Gabriel York and Ningbo's perimeter shooters traded baskets through the fourth quarter before the game was tied at 92-92 going into overtime.
Frank Jackson dominated the extra period with seven points on aggressive drives, and Ning Hongyu hit a key three-pointer to seal the win. Zavier Simpson led Ningbo with 36 points and five assists, while York posted 33 points and five rebounds for Zhejiang.
Elsewhere in the opening round, the Zhejiang Lions defeated the Shanxi Loongs 88-74 in the league's featured season opener. The Shanghai Sharks beat the Jilin Northeast Tigers 95-85, and the Beijing Royal Fighters edged the Shandong Heroes 97-92.
Last season's runner-up, the Beijing Ducks, prevailed in a defensive battle against the Jiangsu Dragons 84-74. The Qingdao Eagles defeated the Shenzhen Aviators 89-77, the Guangzhou Loong Lions cruised past the Sichuan Blue Whales 81-66, the Liaoning Flying Leopards beat the Tianjin Pioneers 80-68, and the Xinjiang Flying Tigers edged the Fujian Sturgeons 99-91. ■
