With the third and final stage of the 2024-25 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) regular season set to resume in early March, the title race remains shrouded in uncertainty. At least seven teams have demonstrated genuine championship credentials thus far.

After 35 rounds, the Zhejiang Lions (31-4) hold firm to the league's top spot in a 20-team standings, built on stifling defense that concedes a league-low average of 92.0 points. On offense, the 2021-22 runners-up rely primarily on the post-perimeter duo of Hu Jinqiu and Sun Minghui. Hu has played in all 35 games, averaging 19.4 points and 8.3 rebounds, while Sun has missed only three matches, posting 14.8 points, 9.5 assists, and a CBA-best 2.6 steals per game.

Zeng Fanri (L) of Nanjing Monkey Kings goes to the basket during a match between Beijing Ducks and Nanjing Monkey Kings at the 2024-2025 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Beijing, China, Dec. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)

With the third and final stage of the 2024-25 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) regular season set to resume in early March, the title race remains shrouded in uncertainty. 

New league rules permit a maximum of seven overseas-player appearances per team across four quarters, putting even more emphasis on foreign signings. Zhejiang's trio of Barry Brown, Nathan Knight, and Joshua Carlton have integrated smoothly into the team's system - Brown's 27.3 points per game tops the squad, with Knight and Carlton both averaging double figures.

"We are becoming more and more united, and hopefully we can keep this momentum until the end of the season," said Sun, noting that young players, foreign signings, and veterans all feel like family on a Zhejiang side aiming for its first CBA trophy.

Unlike Zhejiang's strong defense, the Shanxi Loongs bank on their formidable offense, averaging a league-high 115.6 points and emerging as one of the season's biggest surprises en route to second place. Brandon Goodwin and former NBA Slam Dunk champion Hamidou Diallo spearhead the attack, ably supported by domestic standouts such as fifth-year forward Zhang Ning and sharpshooter Yuan Shuai. Meanwhile, 2.25-meter center Liu Chuanxing stands out as an imposing rim protector.

Shanxi's notable campaign includes a dramatic 115-110 comeback win over the Xinjiang Flying Tigers on Jan. 5, when Shanxi erased a 25-point deficit after three quarters by outscoring Xinjiang 41-11 in the final period.

Despite that collapse, sixth-placed Xinjiang remains a serious contender. With established domestic players such as Zhao Rui, Qi Lin, Li Yanzhe, and Abdusalam Abdurexit, Xinjiang has also tapped into the potential of Elfurat Muhtar and Xirzat Samat. Elfurat, in his fourth CBA season, is averaging 10.4 points - only behind Qi, Zhao, and Li among Xinjiang's domestic scorers - while Xirzat's 7.9 points per game helps offset the departures of Yu Dehao and Huang Rongqi.

Maintaining composure could be critical for Xinjiang, with both Qi and Zhao having been suspended and fined for improper behavior, and head coach Liu Wei also fined for repeated infractions.

Meanwhile, reigning champions Liaoning Flying Leopards have struggled this season, affected by the injury absences of Zhao Jiwei and Zhang Zhenlin, and the departure of star guard Guo Ailun. With overseas imports providing insufficient impact, Liaoning has leaned heavily on veteran frontcourt duo Han Dejun and Li Xiaoxu, who have a combined age of 71.

Still, Liaoning could yet recapture their formidable form - once they regain a healthy roster, many observers still rank the defending champions among the top contenders.

The Zhejiang Golden Bulls, who lost to Liaoning in last season's finals, have again turned heads with a balanced offense. While no player averages at least 20 points, seven players hover around double digits, helping them rank third league-wide at 112.3 points per game.

Just above that, the Shanghai Sharks are second in scoring - yet their season has been a rollercoaster. Early on, Shanghai slid to the bottom at 1-10, but under new coach Lu Wei, coupled with the arrivals of Kenneth Lofton and Eric Bledsoe, the team reeled off 16 consecutive wins. Now at 20-12, Shanghai is firmly on track for a postseason spot. Lofton's averages of 24.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.7 steals have fueled the turnaround, bolstered by homegrown talent like Li Hongquan and Li Tianrong, along with two-time MVP Wang Zhelin.

Conversely, the Beijing Ducks have moved in the opposite direction. Their 9-1 start was the league's best, but injuries to Zhou Qi, Zeng Fanbo, and Chen Ying-chun have seen them slip to ninth place (22-12). However, with a fully recovered roster, Beijing's depth could still pose a threat in the closing stages.

At present, the 12th-ranked Nanjing Monkey Kings enjoy a five-game cushion over the Shenzhen Leopards, all but confirming the postseason field. Yet only four points separate the second- and ninth-placed teams, meaning the final 11 rounds could produce further twists.

All in all, the title race remains far from settled in this unpredictably competitive CBA campaign.