Xu Jie took over again in the fourth quarter—but did anyone notice his left knee?

Guangdong edged past Shandong 94–88 in the CBA regular season to remain unbeaten at 6–0. However, beyond the win, growing concerns are emerging over the heavy workload placed on Xu Jie.

Xu logged 37 minutes in this game, shooting 8-of-15 from the field and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc to finish with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. While the numbers were impressive, the real issue lies in his usage—he rested just one minute in the first half and only two minutes after halftime, effectively playing the entire game.

What raised even more concern was Xu taping his left knee late in the fourth quarter. While this does not automatically indicate an injury, it is often a sign of physical strain or discomfort, especially for a guard who has been carrying such a heavy load throughout the season.

This situation is nothing new. Since Hu Mingxuan’s injury last season, Xu has been forced into extended minutes. With Hu still sidelined and no real reinforcement at the point guard position, Guangdong have little choice but to continue relying on Xu. Other options lack shooting consistency and cannot be trusted in high-intensity moments.

The concern is amplified by the schedule. The first phase of the season runs until early March, meaning Xu could be subjected to heavy usage for another month or more. As other teams strengthen their backcourts, Guangdong’s dependence on him will only increase.

The reality is clear: once Xu leaves the floor, Guangdong lose both their primary offensive initiator and their on-court organizer. As a result, the team can hardly afford to rest him. But prolonged fatigue often leads to injury, and that risk is steadily rising.