The First Game-Winner of the Season! 100% Shooting Performance, and Tougher Days Ahead for Chen Guohao

In the opening week of the new CBA season, Beijing Royal Fighters secured their first win in dramatic fashion, thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Meng Zikai. The clutch shot completed a stunning comeback as Beijing edged out the Jilin Northeast Tigers, 100-99. This was the season's first game-winning shot, and it showcased why Meng Zikai is trusted in critical moments over his teammate Chen Guohao.

Although Chen is a more skilled and physically dominant player overall, Meng’s ability to stretch the floor with consistent perimeter shooting has made him an invaluable asset in the modern game. His three-point shooting, crucial in this victory, is exactly what teams look for in today's power forwards. In this game, Meng hit all of his three-point attempts, proving that his shooting ability is what keeps him on the court when the game is on the line.

Newly signed center Shen Zijie also made a huge impact in his debut for Beijing, particularly on the defensive end, where he protected the rim with ferocity. Shen put up a highly efficient 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, along with 3 rebounds and 4 blocks, falling just short of a perfect shooting night. His performance solidified his role as a dominant force in the paint, something Beijing’s roster has sorely needed. Remarkably, the rest of the team combined for only 1 block, while Jilin’s entire squad failed to register a single block in the game.

In addition to Shen, Jared Sullinger also had his first game of the season for Beijing. While not putting up gaudy scoring numbers, Sullinger contributed across the board with 6 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, showcasing his ability to impact the game without needing to dominate the scoring column. With the addition of Shen Zijie and Sullinger, Beijing's frontcourt depth is stronger than ever, but this newfound depth could come at a cost for Chen Guohao. Once considered one of Beijing's most promising young players, Chen will now face increased competition for playing time and will need to raise his level of play if he hopes to earn more minutes.

On the other hand, many fans were eagerly watching for the return of Liao Sanning, one of China’s brightest young guards, and now seen as a cornerstone for the national team’s future. However, Liao played only 18 minutes off the bench, scoring just 5 points with 5 rebounds and 1 assist. His limited playing time was due to an ankle injury he suffered during the preseason, and the coaching staff is clearly taking a cautious approach to his recovery. Liao's return to form will be key to Beijing’s success this season, but for now, they are focused on managing his minutes and ensuring he stays healthy for the long term.

Despite the victory for Beijing, Jilin’s superstar guard Dominique Jones put up a monster triple-double, with 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists in 41 minutes. Jones, who returned to Jilin after spending last season with Xinjiang, reminded everyone why he is one of the most dynamic players in the league, even as his brilliant performance went to waste in a losing effort. Jilin will be counting on Jones to carry them throughout the season, and while his production was otherworldly in this game, it wasn’t enough to avoid the heartbreaking defeat.

Elsewhere in the league, the biggest shock of the week came from Guangdong’s stunning 99-110 loss to the Shanxi Loongs. Even though Guangdong has lost star center Zhou Qi, they still boast a roster filled with national team standouts like Xu Jie, Hu Mingxuan, and Du Runwang, along with three high-caliber imports: Nick Johnson, Darius Bazley, and Jonathan Gillon. Yet, none of it seemed to matter as Shanxi, a team with no national team players and relatively unknown imports, managed to secure a double-digit victory. This upset served as a reminder that, in the CBA, anything can happen on any given night.

One player who was expected to make a leap this season but struggled to make an impact was Xu Xin. A member of the Chinese national team’s summer training camp, Xu played just 5 minutes off the bench for Guangdong, contributing 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block. Xu, who spent the summer training in the United States and reportedly worked out with two NBA teams, was thought to be a breakout candidate this season. At just 20 years old, he’s no longer a newcomer to the league, and expectations for him are high. But if his season debut is any indication, he still has a long way to go before he can be considered a legitimate successor to Zhou Qi as the dominant force in Guangdong’s frontcourt.

Meng Zikai’s Game-Winner: A Moment to Remember

Meng Zikai's game-winning shot is likely to go down as one of the most memorable moments of the young season. With Beijing down by two points in the final seconds, the ball found its way to Meng on the perimeter, where he calmly drained the go-ahead three-pointer with less than a second remaining. The shot capped off a remarkable comeback and gave Beijing their first win of the season.

For Meng, this moment was a testament to his value as a floor-spacing big man. While he may not possess the same athletic gifts or overall skillset as Chen Guohao, Meng’s shooting ability makes him a vital piece in Beijing’s offense. His knack for hitting clutch shots is exactly why he was on the floor in crunch time, while Chen watched from the bench.

In today’s basketball, the ability to stretch the floor is more important than ever, and Meng’s perfect shooting performance in this game illustrates how impactful a shooting big man can be. As long as he continues to knock down shots at a high clip, Meng will remain a key contributor for Beijing, especially in late-game situations where spacing is crucial.

Shen Zijie: The Missing Piece for Beijing

The addition of Shen Zijie gives Beijing something they haven’t had in years: a dominant defensive presence in the paint. Known for his shot-blocking ability and high motor, Shen wasted no time making his presence felt in his first game with the team. His 4 blocks were a game-high, and his efficient scoring on 6-of-7 shooting demonstrated that he can contribute on both ends of the floor.

Shen's arrival also alleviates some of the pressure on Jared Sullinger, who has traditionally been tasked with anchoring the interior defense while also carrying much of the load on offense. With Shen now patrolling the paint, Sullinger can focus more on rebounding and playmaking, areas where he excels.

The newfound depth in Beijing's frontcourt will undoubtedly push Chen Guohao to elevate his game. Once seen as the team’s big man of the future, Chen now finds himself fighting for minutes with two highly capable players ahead of him in the rotation. If Chen wants to regain his place as a key player for Beijing, he’ll need to improve in areas like defense and outside shooting, areas where both Shen and Meng excel.

Dominique Jones: A Wasted Triple-Double

While Beijing celebrated their thrilling victory, the game also served as a reminder of how dangerous Dominique Jones can be when he’s at his best. Jones’ 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists were nothing short of spectacular, but even his all-around brilliance wasn’t enough to lift Jilin to a win.

Jones, who returned to Jilin after a year with Xinjiang, has always thrived in a system where he is the focal point of the offense. With the ball in his hands for much of the game, Jones is able to dictate the pace and create opportunities for both himself and his teammates. His ability to score, rebound, and distribute the ball makes him one of the most well-rounded players in the league.

But while Jones can put up incredible numbers, Jilin will need more from the rest of their roster if they hope to compete with the top teams in the league. Relying too heavily on Jones could lead to burnout later in the season, especially if games like this one, where he puts up video-game-like stats, continue to result in losses.

Xu Xin’s Struggles Continue

The disappointment of the week has to be the underwhelming performance of Xu Xin. After an offseason filled with high expectations, including training sessions in the U.S. and invitations to NBA workouts, Xu failed to make an impact in Guangdong’s shocking loss to Shanxi. Playing just 5 minutes off the bench, Xu managed only 2 points and 2 rebounds, far from the breakout performance many were hoping for.

At 7’1”, Xu has the physical tools to be a dominant force in the CBA, but he has yet to put it all together. Now in his third season, Xu is no longer a rookie, and the time has come for him to deliver on his potential. Guangdong’s roster is filled with national team players and talented imports, but Xu will need to carve out his role if he hopes to have a long-term future with the team.

For now, Xu Xin remains a project player, but as the season progresses, he’ll need to show significant improvement if he hopes to become the player many believe he can be.