CBA playoffs: Beijing oust Guangdong to reach semis

The Beijing Ducks advanced to the semifinals of the 2025-26 Chinese Basketball Association playoffs with an 88-73 home victory over the Guangdong Southern Tigers on Tuesday, clinching the best-of-three quarterfinal series 2-1.

The two traditional CBA powerhouses unusually meet early in the postseason. After last season's runner-up Beijing took the opening game of the series, Guangdong responded in Game 2 led by Trevelin Queen, who posted 39 points, eight assists and nine rebounds, before Zhang Haojia hit a last-second 3-pointer to level the series at 1-1.

Both teams struggled offensively in the opening quarter on Tuesday. Guangdong guard Hu Mingxuan scored nine points off the bench to help the visitors establish a 21-15 lead.

Guangdong maintained its momentum early in the second quarter and stretched the advantage to double digits, but Beijing responded with an 18-0 run sparked by consecutive 3-pointers from Lei Meng and Zeng Fanbo to move 40-35 ahead at halftime.

Beijing took control after the break, maintaining a lead of around five points through much of the second half before pulling away in the final quarter to secure a place in the semifinals.

Beijing center Zhou Qi finished with 18 points, while Eugene German recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Queen scored a game-high 25 points for Guangdong, while Hu added 13. Guangdong guard Xu Jie was held scoreless.

"We've done a lot of work after our loss in Game 2. We watched the game recap and discussed it with our team members," Beijing coach Xu Limin said. "In my opinion, our performance today relied on our attitude, determination and confidence."

Beijing will face regular-season champion Shanghai in the best-of-five semifinal series.