Liaoning Flying Leopards 104-93 Sichuan Jinqiang Blue Whales: Depth and Pace Carry Liaoning

The Liaoning Flying Leopards defeated the Sichuan Jinqiang Blue Whales 104-93 in Chinese Basketball Association action on October 23, 2026, using a balanced offensive display and a strong second-half push to secure an eleven-point home victory. Liaoning’s depth and transition game proved decisive as the Flying Leopards pulled away late in a contest that was more competitive than the final margin suggests.

Match overview

Sichuan arrived with an aggressive approach, attacking the rim early and forcing Liaoning to work on the defensive end. The Blue Whales found success with dribble penetration and offensive rebounding, keeping the game close through the first quarter. Liaoning, however, gradually settled into rhythm, moving the ball from side to side and creating open looks for its perimeter shooters.

The Flying Leopards began to separate in the second and third quarters by increasing the pace. Their guards pushed the ball after misses, their wings filled the lanes and their big men ran the floor, generating easy baskets before Sichuan’s defense could set. The Blue Whales continued to compete behind timely three-point shooting, but Liaoning’s ability to score in bunches gave the home side a cushion entering the final period.

Key moments

The game’s decisive run came midway through the second half. Liaoning strung together a series of stops and converted them into transition points, turning a tight contest into a double-digit lead. The Flying Leopards’ ball movement during that stretch was sharp, with extra passes leading to open corner threes and cutters finishing at the rim.

Sichuan refused to fade entirely. A flurry of perimeter baskets and free throws brought the visitors back within single digits in the fourth quarter, but Liaoning answered each push with poise. A momentum-swinging block followed by a fast-break dunk restored the home crowd’s energy, and Liaoning closed the game with efficient free-throw shooting.

Tactical story

Liaoning’s offensive balance was the story of the night. The Flying Leopards generated points from the paint, the mid-range and beyond the arc, making it difficult for Sichuan to load up on any one area. Their ball-screen actions created mismatches, and when Sichuan switched, Liaoning’s big men punished smaller defenders on the block or found open shooters on the perimeter.

Defensively, Liaoning’s second-half adjustments were important. The Flying Leopards became more physical at the point of attack, forced Sichuan’s guards into sideways dribbling and limited clean catch-and-shoot opportunities. Sichuan still managed 93 points thanks to its shot-making and offensive rebounding, but Liaoning’s ability to control the defensive glass in key moments prevented the visitors from extending possessions when it mattered most.

Standout performers

Liaoning’s backcourt controlled the tempo, mixing penetration with timely passes and keeping the offense organized against Sichuan’s pressure. The Flying Leopards’ frontcourt also made a major impact on the boards, creating second-chance points and protecting the rim. For Sichuan, the guards were the primary source of resistance, repeatedly hitting tough shots and keeping the Blue Whales within striking distance into the fourth quarter.

Season impact

The 104-93 win gives Liaoning a strong home result and reinforces the team’s reputation for depth and pace. In the CBA standings, victories of this kind matter not only for the win column but for the confidence they build in the rotation. Sichuan leaves with a loss but can take encouragement from its offensive fight; the Blue Whales will need to tighten their transition defense and reduce Liaoning’s easy baskets if they are to turn competitive performances into wins.