Back-to-Back Wins and a Shock Upset Over the Defending Champions: Liaoning Men’s Basketball’s Electric Start Brings Both Promise and Problems

After the retirement of Han Dejun, the departure of Zhang Zhenlin, and Zhao Jiwei’s injury absence, many expected Liaoning to stumble through a painful reset. Instead, the team has delivered a flawless start: two games, two wins. They opened on the road with an 80–68 victory over Tianjin, then returned home to topple the defending champions Zhejiang 95–79—an emphatic statement that instantly silenced a wave of doubt.

Under head coach Yang Ming, this rebuilding-era powerhouse is showing a refreshed identity. The early results are genuinely encouraging, but they also reveal clear areas that still need urgent attention.

With key veterans unavailable, Liaoning’s young players have stepped into the spotlight—and delivered. The biggest surprise has been 23-year-old big man Zhang Chenzhifeng, who posted near double-doubles in both outings: 11 points and 9 rebounds in the first game, followed by 10 points and 9 rebounds in the second. He has looked decisive on pick-and-roll dives, finished with confidence, and played without fear against Zhejiang’s interior defense. It’s no wonder people are already calling him a worthy successor in Liaoning’s traditional center lineage.

At point guard, Wang Lanqin—starting in Zhao Jiwei’s place—has also been impressive. In the second game, he knocked down five three-pointers and scored 19 points, showing the courage to initiate offense with the ball in his hands. He also added two steals on defense, flashing a calm, big-game temperament beyond his years.

Yang Ming’s willingness to trust the next generation is paying off. This season, three U23 players have already earned stable rotation roles—a dramatic shift from last year, when rookies averaged just 4.2 minutes per game.

Liaoning’s championship DNA still shows most clearly on the defensive end. Across two games, they have allowed only 73.5 points per contest, repeatedly shutting down opponents’ momentum with suffocating pressure. Against Tianjin, they absorbed a push and stabilized through defense. Against Zhejiang, they tightened the screws and limited efficiency, making it difficult for opposing core players to score comfortably.

Just as important has been the team’s composure. In the opener, Liaoning endured a 19–13 third-quarter run that cut the lead to single digits, yet responded with timely shot-making and steady execution to close it out. Versus Zhejiang, they weathered a second-quarter surge, then controlled the second half and kept expanding the margin—classic “strong team” behavior under pressure.

Zhao Jiwei’s absence creates a real challenge for Liaoning’s organization and playmaking. Wang Lanqin has provided highlights, but he still shows signs of uneven energy management in high-intensity games, particularly late. In the second game’s fourth quarter, he missed three straight attempts—an example of how fatigue can affect production.

The foreign-player group has also been uneven. Wells has delivered bright moments but lacks consistency, while Morand’s offensive impact has been limited—he scored only 4 points in the opener and has not reliably provided the extra scoring punch the team may need. Meanwhile, newcomer Jiang Yuxing and returning Wu Changze are still integrating into the system. Jiang scored 7 points in the first game, and Wu went scoreless in 11 minutes in the second, underscoring that the rotation still needs polishing.

One pattern has stood out: Liaoning’s third-quarter performance has dipped in both games. In the opener, Tianjin outscored them 19–13 in the third. Against Zhejiang, the lead never fully collapsed, but the offensive rhythm noticeably slowed. If the first-half cushion had been smaller, the outcome could have become far more complicated.

This “third-quarter syndrome” points to two issues: stamina distribution and tactical execution. As the season continues and the schedule intensifies, maintaining consistent output for all four quarters will be one of Yang Ming’s most important priorities.

Overall, Liaoning’s perfect start is no fluke—it reflects real defensive strength, real toughness, and a new wave of young players ready to contribute. At the same time, the team’s playmaking structure, bench stability, foreign-player consistency, and full-game endurance remain works in progress.

In other words: the hope is real, and so are the challenges—and that mix is exactly what makes Liaoning’s early-season story so compelling.