By outdoor-nature-child.com On the evening of October 13, the Xinjiang Basketball Team kicked off the 2024-2025 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) with their first regular season game, facing off against the Jiangsu team. Last season’s runner-up, Xinjiang emerged victorious with a score of 112 to 98.
During the game, Jiangsu took an early lead with a 6-0 start. Xinjiang quickly responded after a timeout and some player adjustments. However, team captain Abudushalamu injured himself and had to leave the game with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter, leaving Xinjiang trailing by one point at the end of the period. In the second quarter, Xinjiang’s Li Yanzhe made an impressive block, while Jiangsu’s foreign player Smith showcased his skills with multiple scoring plays. The first half concluded with both teams tied at 57.
As the second half began, Xinjiang’s foreign player Peterson stepped up, scoring five consecutive points, prompting Jiangsu to call a timeout. By the end of the third quarter, Xinjiang had taken the lead, 84 to 80. The final quarter was intensely competitive, with the score leveling multiple times. Ultimately, Xinjiang pulled ahead with a 10-point streak, securing a solid victory to start the season.
Five players from Xinjiang scored in double digits, led by Peterson with 28 points and 9 rebounds, while young players Aizimaiti and Yilifulate chipped in with 7 points each. Jiangsu’s Smith was the game’s top scorer with 37 points and 7 assists.
After the game, Xinjiang’s head coach Liu Wei expressed his gratitude to Jiangsu for the challenges they presented, which helped his team identify areas for improvement. He noted that the game provided invaluable experience for many of the younger players, and he is confident they will continue to develop throughout the season.