On Monday, January 5, 2026, the Shanghai Sharks electrified fans with a statement-making victory over the defending champions, the Guangsha Lions, cruising to a 99-77 win at home in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), the top league in the Chinese mainland. The win extended Shanghai’s winning streak to seven games and vaulted them to the top of this season’s standings. 🏀🔥
The game opened with Guangsha taking an early lead. Sun Minghui drained a three to put the Lions ahead 16-15, but Li Hongquan answered with a deep triple of his own to narrow the gap. Zhao Yanhao then tied the score at 28-28 with a timely three before the first-quarter buzzer.
In the second quarter, American star Kenneth Lofton took over. He spun into the lane for a layup before dishing to Wang Zhelin for a thunderous two-handed dunk. Brandon Goodwin followed with a long-range three, pushing the Sharks’ advantage into double digits and setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Guangsha tried to rally in the third, with Zhao Yanhao’s layup trimming the deficit to nine. But Shanghai’s depth proved too much: six Sharks scored in double figures, showcasing a balanced attack that Guangsha couldn’t match.
The 22-point romp snapped Guangsha’s eight-game winning streak, leaving both teams tied at 9-2 atop the standings. However, Shanghai sits in first place thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker from this dominant win. This triumph cements the Sharks as title contenders this season.
With momentum on their side, the Sharks will look to keep the good vibes rolling as they chase their first CBA crown. Stay tuned for more high-octane action this season! 🚀
Reference(s):
Shanghai Sharks thrash Guangsha 99-77 to climb to top of CBA standings
cgtn.com
