On the night of May 12, the 2025-2026 CBA playoffs continued with the third game of the quarterfinal series between Guangdong Dongguang and Beijing Ducks. Playing on the road, Guangdong fell to Beijing 73-88, losing the best-of-three series 1-2 and ending their season.
The game started cautiously, with only Zhou Qi scoring for Beijing in the first three minutes. Once both teams found their rhythm, the contest became tightly contested. At the end of the first quarter, Guangdong led 21-15 thanks to consecutive three-pointers from Hu Mingxuan.
In the second quarter, Guangdong extended their lead to as many as 10 points. During that stretch, Zhao Rui of Beijing suffered an injury on an offensive play and returned to the bench after brief treatment. However, Beijing responded with an 18-0 run to reclaim the lead, prompting Guangdong head coach Du Feng to call a timeout. Despite the adjustment, Guangdong could not stop Beijing’s momentum. At halftime, Guangdong trailed 35-40. Zhao Rui’s exit did not significantly impact Beijing, while Guangdong appeared rattled by the opponent’s comeback, as reflected in their turnover numbers.
After the break, Guangdong mounted a comeback in the third quarter, but every time they got close to tying the game, Beijing found a way to restore the gap. At the end of the third quarter, Guangdong trailed 53-61. In the final period, Guangdong failed to find effective scoring solutions and ultimately succumbed to a 73-88 defeat, sealing their elimination from the series.
Notably, Zhao Rui returned to the court in the closing moments, indicating his injury was not severe. After the game, he warmly hugged his former Guangdong teammates, a gesture that resonated with fans.
