On May 10, in the CBA playoffs, Shenzhen defeated Zhejiang 95-91, sweeping the series 2-0 and advancing to the semifinals. This marks Shenzhen’s first time reaching the semifinals after winning two consecutive playoff series in seven years (the 22-23 season saw them controversially advance due to Shanghai’s forfeited matches, only to be eliminated 3-2 by Zhejiang).
In this game, Shenzhen’s key player He Xining delivered an outstanding performance, playing 31 minutes and shooting 7-of-12 from the field, 5-of-8 from three-point range, and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, finishing with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, along with 3 turnovers and 5 fouls. Notably, He Xining took over the game in the fourth quarter, hitting four consecutive three-pointers and scoring 12 points alone. His shots became increasingly difficult, impressing the commentators and showcasing an MVP-level impact that rivaled any small foreign player.
Former Chinese men’s basketball star Sun Yue commented on He Xining’s fourth-quarter performance, saying, “His confidence has fully emerged this season. Even when the small foreign player was on the court, they still fed him the ball.”
Throughout the series, He Xining averaged 27.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over 33 minutes, with a field goal percentage of 65.5% and a three-point percentage of 56.3%. He also maintained high three-point volume, averaging 8 attempts per game and making 4.5, making him the key contributor to Shenzhen’s advancement to the semifinals.
Shenzhen’s next opponent will be the winner of the Guangsha vs. Shanxi series, which is currently tied 1-1.