Shanxi failed to secure a home victory against Guangsha in last night’s playoff game, making it tougher for them to advance to the next round. The second match of the quarterfinal series was once again filled with tension and physicality, echoing the first game’s intensity.
The match featured 54 fouls and 65 free throws for both teams, closely mirroring the first encounter’s statistics. Notably, Shanxi’s aggressive playing style drew criticism from multiple media outlets.
During the second quarter with 5 minutes left, Shanxi national team player Zhang Ning attempted to break past opponent Lin Bingsheng. In an unusual move, Zhang jumped to pass the ball with his right hand while simultaneously striking Lin’s face with his left hand, causing him to fall hard. The referee immediately called an offensive foul against Zhang. Sports commentator Fu Zhenghao mockingly described Zhang’s action as an innovative combination of gymnastics and pole vaulting, calling it a milestone in basketball technical innovation.
Referee expert Ding Jianing labeled Zhang Ning as the “king of extra movements” in the CBA, noting his frequent rough plays. Zhang recorded 11 technical fouls and led the league with 8 unsportsmanlike fouls last season, earning him the nickname “Dirty Ning” among fans. His playing style has drawn widespread criticism for lacking sportsmanship.
The Shanxi-Guangsha quarterfinal series has been heavily criticized for resembling a UFC fight rather than a pure basketball contest. Zhang Ning’s repeated controversial actions have become a focal point of discussion, with experts urging him to clean up his game.
