In Game 3 of the CBA playoff quarterfinals, Beijing defeated Guangdong 88-73, taking the series 2-1 and eliminating the Southern Tigers. Considering the challenges they faced, Guangdong’s single win in the series was already a hard-fought accomplishment. Following the elimination, updates from the team’s locker room revealed the emotional aftermath.
Du Feng was the first to leave the court, his silhouette radiating dejection. Though he smiled in the final moments of the game, it was a smile of resignation. The team simply couldn’t match up against Beijing, particularly in the paint — a disparity that made the series feel unbalanced from the start. Still, they gave everything they had, yet fell short, especially in a Game 3 where they left it all on the floor.
Cui Yongxi, upon returning to the locker room, was visibly struggling with ice packs strapped to both knees. His rhythm hasn’t yet returned to form, and unfortunately, he contributed little throughout the series.
Zhang Haoxiang entered with his head down. After a breakout performance in the previous game, much was expected of him, but his shooting went cold in this contest, hitting just 1-of-4 from the field. While he provided some resistance on defense with physical play, his impact remained limited to a supporting role.
Wang Shaojie, a deeply emotional player, had his eyes red from crying. Throughout the series, he was tasked with anchoring the interior defense, going toe-to-toe with centers like JaVale McGee and Zhou Qi — a heavy burden that took a toll on him. Even after picking up early foul trouble in this game, he continued to battle hard in the fourth quarter, earning widespread respect for his grit.
This season has been a bitter pill for Guangdong. With high expectations following significant investment before the campaign, failing to reach the semifinals is a tough outcome. The pressure on their offseason recruitment efforts will be immense.
