The 2025-2026 CBA playoffs quarterfinal series concluded on May 9 as the Shanghai Jiushi men’s basketball team swept the Shandong Hi-Speed team 2-0 to advance to the semifinals. Shanghai displayed outstanding overall strength and dominance on both ends of the court, while Shandong’s campaign ended due to a collective slump from their imports and a lack of offensive depth.
In Game 1 on May 6, Shanghai hosted a fiercely contested match. The score remained tight throughout, but Shanghai’s superior defensive resilience and clutch plays gave them an 84-79 home victory, setting the tone for the series.
However, Game 2 on May 9, played at Shandong’s home court, was a stark contrast. Shanghai took control from the opening tip, dominating both offense and defense. With fluid ball movement and stifling defense, they cruised to a 96-68 blowout win, finishing the series in convincing fashion.
Shanghai’s victory in Game 2 was fueled by balanced scoring, with six players reaching double figures. Import Lofoton posted a well-rounded line of 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, anchoring the offense. Center Wang Zhelin contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds, while Li Tianrong nailed three three-pointers for 14 points. Import Goodwin orchestrated the offense with 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists. Li Yongwei added 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists. Zhang Zhenlin was active on both ends, tallying 9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, and interior anchor Whiteside chipped in 6 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Shanghai’s collective effort overwhelmed Shandong’s defense.
On the other side, Shandong’s imports were the primary culprit. The team’s four imports combined to shoot just 6-of-31 from the field, an extremely inefficient performance that directly led to their downfall. Without consistent import scoring, Shandong’s domestic players struggled to keep up. Chen Linjian scored 21 points with five three-pointers, Quante Johnson added 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists, veteran Tao Hanlin fought for 12 points and 7 rebounds, while Gao Shiyan and Guo Kai could only manage 7 points each. Beyond these five starters, Shandong’s bench provided little offensive support. The severe lack of scoring punch left them helpless against Shanghai’s high-pressure defense, resulting in a lopsided loss.
Throughout the series, Shanghai Jiushi deserved their semifinal berth with a more balanced offensive system and tough defense. Shandong Hi-Speed’s drastic decline in import performance and insufficient bench depth proved insurmountable. As the final buzzer sounded, Shanghai will continue their pursuit of higher goals, while Shandong must reflect deeply during the offseason and rebuild.
