Shanghai Sharks Return to CBA Finals After 24-Year Hiatus

The Shanghai Sharks are heading back to the CBA Finals for the first time in 24 years, completing a stunning 20-point comeback to defeat the Beijing Ducks 99-85 in Game 4 of the semifinals on May 22. The victory sealed the best-of-5 series 3-1 and marked a historic milestone for one of Chinese basketball’s most storied franchises.

According to Xinhua News, Shanghai trailed 51-35 at halftime before mounting a spectacular third-quarter rally, outscoring Beijing 39-11 in the period. The turnaround was sparked by a tactical adjustment from head coach Lu Wei, who replaced center Whiteside with import Loveton at halftime, switching to a small-ball lineup that completely changed the game’s momentum.

The Comeback

Beijing came out firing on their home court, with imports Spellman and McGee leading an early charge that built a 20-point lead in the second quarter. The Ducks appeared poised to force a decisive Game 5. But everything changed after the break.

“This comeback victory was very difficult. The players didn’t match Beijing’s intensity and defensive pressure at the start,” Lu Wei said after the game, as reported by Xinhua. “After halftime adjustments, the team showed their true level in the second half.”

Loveton led Shanghai with a team-high 20 points, while veteran forward Liu Zheng contributed 19 points — a playoff career high — including five three-pointers, matching Beijing’s entire team total from beyond the arc. Young forward Li Hongquan added 13 points in the third quarter alone, as Phoenix News noted the team’s relentless pressure overwhelmed the Ducks.

Beijing’s Germán led all scorers with 23 points, but it was not enough to stop the collapse. Head coach Xu Limin acknowledged his team’s fragility: “We played a good half today. But when we encountered difficulties in the second half, there was a cliff-like reversal, reflecting the team’s lack of resilience.”

A Legacy Rekindled

The Sharks’ only CBA championship came in the 2001-02 season, when a 21-year-old Yao Ming averaged 41.3 points and 21 rebounds in the Finals to lead Shanghai past the Bayi Rockets. That championship launched Yao to the NBA, where he became the #1 overall pick by the Houston Rockets.

Yao later purchased the Sharks in 2009 to prevent the team from folding, owning the franchise for a decade before selling his stake to Shanghai Jiushi Group in 2019. Now serving as chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, Yao watched his former team take a major step toward a second title.

This is Shanghai’s fourth Finals appearance in franchise history, following runner-up finishes in 1999-2000 and 2000-01, and their championship in 2001-02. The 24-year gap between Finals appearances is one of the longest in CBA history.

The Generational Story

Perhaps the most compelling narrative is that of Lu Wei himself. As a child, he watched Shanghai’s 2002 championship from home. Now, as head coach, he has guided the team back to the sport’s biggest stage.

“24 years ago when Shanghai won the championship, I was still at home,” Lu Wei reflected. “Now being the head coach of the Shanghai team is truly an honor. This year, from the foreign imports to the domestic players, the chemistry has been excellent.”

Behind the scenes, legendary coach Li Qiuping — now 67 and serving as the team’s general manager — remains the spiritual backbone of the organization. Nicknamed “Little Zhuge” after the ancient strategist, Li coached the 2002 championship team and is the only coach in CBA history to win titles with two different franchises (Shanghai and Xinjiang). As journalist Du Jincheng of Peninsula Metropolis Daily observed, “He is the true backbone of this current Shanghai team.”

What’s Next

The CBA Finals will be a best-of-7 series, with Shanghai awaiting the winner of the other semifinal between the defending champion Zhejiang Guangsha Lions and the Shenzhen Leopards. The Sharks have already demonstrated championship pedigree this season, winning the CBA Club Cup in February 2026 for their second consecutive Club Cup title, giving them a shot at a historic “double championship.”

For 35-year-old veteran Liu Zheng, who has spent a decade in the CBA without a title, this represents his best — and possibly last — chance at a championship. As NetEase noted, his five three-pointers in Game 4 were a testament to his enduring quality.

“No matter where we end up,” Lu Wei said, “I believe this team will maintain its fighting spirit.” After 24 years of waiting, Shanghai’s basketball faithful finally have reason to believe again.