The Liaoning Flying Leopards held off a late surge to defeat the Nanjing Monkey Kings 92-89 in Chinese Basketball Association action on March 23rd, 2026. In a defensive battle at Liaoning's home arena, the defending champions showcased their trademark toughness to secure a hard-fought win. Liaoning established control early, using their physical defense to generate transition opportunities and build a double-digit lead by halftime. However, the resilient Monkey Kings, led by their dynamic backcourt, chipped away in the third and fourth quarters, turning the game into a tense, possession-by-possession grind. The Flying Leopards' experience shone through in the final minutes, as they executed their half-court offense efficiently and got critical stops when needed. A key three-pointer from Liaoning's veteran point guard with under a minute to play proved to be the dagger, extending the lead to two possessions. The win solidified Liaoning's position near the top of the league table, while Nanjing's valiant effort in a close loss demonstrated their growing competitiveness. The Liaoning coach commended his team's defensive focus for all forty-eight minutes, and the Nanjing coach expressed pride in his team's fight against a championship-caliber opponent.