Nanjing Monkey Kings produced one of the most dramatic results of the Chinese Basketball Association round on October 18, 2026, edging the Guangdong Southern Tigers 96-95 in a one-possession thriller. The home side led late, survived a final Guangdong surge, and closed the game with a defensive stop that turned a tense night into a signature win.

The final scoreline tells the story of a contest that never allowed either team to settle. Nanjing’s energy and shot-making kept them within range early, while Guangdong’s experience and half-court precision made the visitors look capable of pulling away. Instead, the game tightened in the fourth quarter, when every possession became a mini-battle.

Match overview

Tip-off at 19:35 local time brought a high-stakes CBA matchup between a Nanjing side eager to prove itself against one of the league’s most decorated clubs and a Guangdong team determined to impose its usual control. The opening quarter set the tone: Nanjing led 24-23 after ten minutes, and the lead changed hands repeatedly from there.

• First quarter: Nanjing 24-23 Guangdong
• Second quarter: Nanjing 22-25 Guangdong
• Third quarter: Nanjing 26-24 Guangdong
• Fourth quarter: Nanjing 24-23 Guangdong
• Final score: Nanjing Monkey Kings 96, Guangdong Southern Tigers 95

Guangdong held a narrow advantage at stages of the second and third quarters, using patient ball movement and interior scoring to keep Nanjing’s defense honest. But the Monkey Kings refused to let the game slip away, answering each Guangdong run with timely three-point shooting and aggressive drives to the rim.

Key moments

The decisive stretch arrived in the final two minutes. With the score tied and both teams in the bonus, Nanjing generated a clean look at the rim to take a one-point lead. Guangdong had time for a final possession, but Nanjing’s switching defense forced a contested jumper that rimmed out, sealing the 96-95 result.

That last stop mattered as much as any basket. Nanjing had trailed briefly in the fourth quarter but responded with a 7-2 run to reclaim control. Guangdong, known for its late-game execution, had chances to steal the win, but two missed free throws and a turnover in the closing minute proved costly.

Tactical story

Nanjing’s game plan centered on pace and spacing. The hosts pushed the ball after makes and misses, trying to score before Guangdong’s half-court defense could set. That approach produced enough early offense to keep the pressure on, even when Guangdong’s veterans slowed the tempo.

Defensively, Nanjing switched aggressively on the perimeter and invited Guangdong into mid-range shots. The visitors still found success inside, but the Monkey Kings won enough loose balls and defensive rebounds to limit second-chance points. Guangdong’s biggest advantage came on the offensive glass, yet Nanjing’s ability to turn stops into transition opportunities balanced the possession battle.

Standout performers

Nanjing’s backcourt handled Guangdong’s pressure well, combining for timely shot creation and steady free-throw shooting in the fourth quarter. The frontcourt also delivered crucial minutes, protecting the rim and contesting Guangdong’s drives without fouling excessively.

For Guangdong, the veteran perimeter players kept the offense organized and found gaps in Nanjing’s switching scheme. The Southern Tigers’ interior scoring kept them in front for long stretches, but their late turnovers and missed free throws left the door open.

Season impact

The win gives Nanjing Monkey Kings a valuable confidence boost in the CBA standings and a strong head-to-head result against one of the league’s traditional powers. For Guangdong Southern Tigers, the one-point loss is a frustrating reminder that road games in the CBA can turn on a single possession.

Nanjing will look to build on the defensive intensity shown in the final minute, while Guangdong must regroup quickly and tighten its late-game execution. On a night when the margin was as thin as possible, Nanjing’s composure made the difference.