The Beikong Royal Fighters defeated the Sichuan Blue Whales 111-99 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, on Saturday, giving the opponents their fourth straight loss since the 2024-25 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season began.
Jared Sullinger shot 10-for-23 from the field to drop a double-double of 32 points and 23 rebounds, both highs for Beijing. He also committed eight turnovers, more than anyone else in the game. Zhang Fan and Grant Riller both contributed 25 points for the visitors.
Liao Sanning was put back in Beijing’s starting lineup and he responded to coach Min Lulei’s trust with 17 points and 14 assists with only three turnovers. Shen Zijie played only 28 minutes due to foul trouble, but he got five blocks for Beijing.
Beijing led by as many as 19 points, 91-72, after the first three quarters, but Zuo Zhenian drained four triples in the fourth quarter alone for Sichuan to rally. Marcus Hunter and Hu Junlin joined him to provide firepower from downtown. The home team cut their deficit to eight points, 107-99, when there were 92 seconds left in the game.
Shen stood out for Beijing during clutch time by first grabbing a significant offensive rebound and then blocking a layup from Hunter. His performance helped the visitors calm down and retake control to seal the victory.
Sichuan remain winless in 16th place. So are the Shanghai Sharks, Jiangsu Dragons, Fujian Sturgeons and Guangzhou Loong Lions below them.