BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The higher-seeded Shanghai Sharks and Beijing Ducks both clinched their first quarterfinal victories in the 2025-26 Chinese Basketball Association playoffs on Wednesday.
As the first round of the CBA playoffs concluded last weekend, the Shanxi Loongs, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, the Shandong Heroes, and the Guangdong Southern Tigers advanced to face the top four teams in the regular season.
Top seed Shanghai defeated Shandong 84-79 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three quarterfinals as Hassan Whiteside came off the bench to contribute a game-high 23 points for the Sharks. Shanghai's Brandon Goodwin and Zhang Zhenlin added 14 points apiece to seal the win.
Shandong's overseas duo Keyontae Johnson and Marquese Chriss combined for 37 points.
Fourth seed Beijing seemed more prepared to embrace their first playoff match this season, beating rivals Guangdong 102-94. Beijing's Eugene German and Zeng Fanbo each nailed five three-pointers and the home team registered 16 three-pointers in total with a shooting percentage of 55.2%.
Five Southern Tigers players scored in double digits, as Trevelin Queen and Tahjere McCall finished with 17 points apiece.
"We prepared for all possible difficulties in the playoffs these days after the regular season. Today, our players followed the plans and had a great performance, particularly in defense and rebounding. We fought as a team," said Beijing head coach Xu Limin.
The Zhejiang Lions will meet Shanxi, while the Shenzhen Aviators will confront the Golden Bulls in Thursday's other quarterfinals. ■
