Beijing Control and Shanghai Jiushi Secure Opening Wins as New Basketball Season Opens
Beijing Control and Shanghai Jiushi both opened their new campaigns with commanding victories, establishing early momentum across the league schedule. Beijing Control cruised to a 95-71 victory over Ningbo Macha on October 17, 2026, building a 27-point halftime lead before holding off a late surge. In another opening fixture on October 16, 2026, Shanghai Jiushi defeated the Shenzhen Leopards 102-68 after establishing a 13-point advantage at the break.
The opening contests showcased dominant performances from key acquisitions and returning veterans. During Beijing Control’s season opener against Ningbo, Riller led the charge with 26 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals, while Liao Saning added 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. Frontcourt support came from Giles, who posted a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double, alongside Cook with 10 points, Zhang Fan with 8 points and 4 assists, and Zou Yuchen with 5 points and 5 rebounds. Ningbo narrowed the gap to 14 points after Beijing’s scoring dipped to 15 points in the third quarter, but Beijing maintained a double-digit cushion through the final buzzer.
Shanghai Jiushi carried their championship pedigree into the new year following a 38-4 run last season that culminated in a finals victory over Zhejiang Fangxingdu, preceded by playoff series wins over Shandong High Speed and Beijing Beiqi. Opening against Shenzhen, Goodwin paced Shanghai with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Russell contributed 21 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Zhang Zhenlin added 16 points and 6 boards, and Wang Zhelin dominated the glass with 14 points and 18 rebounds. Balanced scoring from Li Tianrong, Li Hongquan, and McGee pushed Shanghai’s lead past 30 points in the final period.
Across league preparations, preseason form has pointed toward contrasting trajectories for other franchises. The Utah Jazz were 1-1 in the preseason following a 117-106 defeat to the Denver Nuggets on October 7, 2026, a game where Peterson scored 7 points in a late push and Whitmore added steady scoring off the bench. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs entered mid-October looking to find rhythm after dropping preseason contests, including a 102-98 loss to the Phoenix Suns on October 11, 2026. In that matchup, Harper scored 15 points with 3 rebounds and 4 assists, Wembanyama recorded 13 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks, and Castle chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, though Phoenix maintained control behind sustained interior scoring from Maluach.
League schedules continue with further rounds as teams test rotations and integrate new rosters ahead of the winter fixtures.
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