Liaoning Flying Leopards used a decisive third-quarter run to pull away from Xinjiang Flying Tigers and claim a 98-87 Chinese Basketball Association victory on October 25, 2026. The home side combined balanced scoring with disciplined defense, turning a tight first half into a comfortable finish at Liaoning’s home arena.

Liaoning take control after halftime

The first half was competitive, with both teams trading runs. Liaoning led 24-22 after the opening quarter and stretched the advantage slightly to 47-43 at halftime. Xinjiang stayed within striking distance thanks to strong inside play and timely three-point shooting, but the Flying Leopards never allowed the visitors to settle into a consistent offensive rhythm.

The game changed in the third quarter. Liaoning opened the second half with a 14-4 run, forcing Xinjiang into turnovers and converting them into transition points. By the end of the period, the hosts had built a 75-63 lead, and Xinjiang was left chasing the game over the final ten minutes.

Key moments

• Late second quarter: Liaoning closed the half with an 8-0 run, turning a one-point game into a four-point halftime cushion.
• Third-quarter burst: Zhao Jiwei orchestrated a 14-4 run with a pair of assists and a three-pointer, pushing the lead into double digits.
• Fourth-quarter response: Xinjiang cut the deficit to eight with under five minutes remaining, but Liaoning answered with a 7-0 surge to close the door.

Tactical story

Liaoning’s pick-and-roll game was the engine of the offense. Zhao Jiwei repeatedly drew help defenders and found open shooters or rolling big men, while Zhang Zhenlin attacked closeouts from the wing. The Flying Leopards finished with 24 assists and shot 48 percent from the field, a reflection of their patience and ball movement.

Defensively, Liaoning limited Xinjiang’s transition opportunities and forced 16 turnovers. The hosts also held a narrow rebounding edge, preventing the Flying Tigers from generating enough second-chance points to stay in contact. Xinjiang’s half-court offense often stalled in the third quarter, when Liaoning’s rotations were at their sharpest.

Standout performers

Zhao Jiwei finished with 19 points and 11 assists, controlling the tempo from start to finish. Zhang Zhenlin added 21 points and seven rebounds, while Fu Hao contributed 18 points and nine rebounds in the paint. Xinjiang was led by Abudushalamu Abudurexiti, who scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds, with Qi Lin adding 15 points.

What the result means

The win strengthens Liaoning’s position near the top of the CBA standings and reinforces their credentials as a title contender. For Xinjiang, the loss highlights the importance of taking care of the ball against elite opponents. The Flying Tigers remain a talented side, but they will need more consistent road performances if they are to challenge the league’s best over the course of the season.