Zhao Jiwei's season debut! Scoring 24 points and 7 assists in his comeback game, Liaoning narrowly defeated Xinjiang to end their losing streak.

At 19:35 on January 16th, in the 15th round of the 2025/2026 CBA regular season, Liaoning secured an 82-75 home victory over Xinjiang to stop their two-match skid.

Zhao Jiwei

Statistical Overview

Liaoning team: Zhao Jiwei 24 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists; Wells 14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals; Jiang Yuxing 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist; Fu Hao 9 points, 3 rebounds; Yan Shouqi 9 points, 1 rebound; Morland 6 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 5 blocks; Li Xiaoxu 6 points, 2 rebounds; Wang Lanqin 4 points, 1 rebound; Hunter 1 rebound, 3 assists.

Xinjiang team: Yilifurati 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists; Harris 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; Natol 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists; Yang Rui 8 points, 1 rebound; Lawson 4 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals; Feng Ao 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Xierzati 4 points, 1 assist; Wu Guanzhi 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist; Li Yanzhe 2 points, 1 rebound, 2 blocks.

Game Highlights

In the first quarter, Zhao Jiwei returned from injury as a starter and assisted Fu Hao with a floater to break the deadlock for Liaoning. After Yilifurati scored two points for Xinjiang, Zhao Jiwei assisted Fu Hao again for a three-pointer. Natol hit back-to-back threes from the perimeter, putting Xinjiang ahead. Wells scored inside and outside, helping Liaoning regain the lead. With Li Xiaoxu hitting a three from the arc, Liaoning led 15-14. Both teams exchanged free throws, and Yan Shouqi made consecutive layups, ending the quarter with Liaoning ahead 21-18.

In the second quarter, Yan Shouqi opened with a three-pointer, followed by Zhao Jiwei’s catch-up three, marking his first three since returning. Zhao Jiwei then made a smooth floater, sparking an 8-0 run that extended Liaoning’s lead to 11, forcing a timeout from Xinjiang. Xierzati scored an easy put-back to stop the bleeding, but Zhao Jiwei drew a foul on a drive and made both free throws, scoring 7 points consecutively and keeping Liaoning’s double-digit lead. Lawson, Wu Guanzhi, and Yang Rui responded with an 8-0 run, prompting Liaoning to call a timeout. After the break, Wells and Morland combined efforts to widen the gap again. Wells’ three-pointer helped Liaoning lead 42-34 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Fu Hao, Jiang Yuxing, and Morland scored consecutively, maintaining Liaoning’s 11-point advantage. Xinjiang launched a fast break, with Xierzati finishing easily, causing Liaoning to call a timeout. After the break, Harris made a three, followed by Lawson and Li Yanzhe scoring, cutting the deficit to 2 points. Harris nailed another three-pointer, while Morland made two of three free throws, ending the third quarter with Liaoning ahead 56-52.

In the fourth quarter, Zhao Jiwei started with an unstoppable three-pointer from the arc, but Harris quickly answered with his own three. Jiang Yuxing added a long-range shot, and Zhao Jiwei scored on a fast-break floater, pushing Liaoning’s lead to 67-58 and forcing a timeout from Xinjiang. After the timeout, Zhao Jiwei hit his fourth three, and Jiang Yuxing scored a flying layup, maintaining a 7-point lead. Harris dunked to close the gap, and Yilifurati drained a three, bringing Xinjiang within three points at 70-73. Fu Hao made a crucial floater, Harris and Li Xiaoxu exchanged threes, and Li Xiaoxu hit a step-back jumper. Xinjiang employed fouling tactics in the final moments, but Zhao Jiwei made both free throws, sealing Liaoning’s 82-75 victory over Xinjiang.

Starting Lineups

Liaoning: Fu Hao, Zhao Jiwei, Jiang Yuxing, Morland, Wells

Xinjiang: Wu Guanzhi, Yilifurati, Yang Rui, Lawson, Natol