BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Sharks edged the Fujian Sturgeons 119-116 to stay on top and the Shenzhen Aviators extended their winning streak to 12 games after beating the Jiangsu Dragons 93-88 in the 37th round of the 2025-26 Chinese Basketball Association regular season.

Photo: Agencies

In Shanghai, the Sharks relied on a balanced offensive attack to withstand a furious fourth-quarter comeback from Fujian. The visitors, led by the explosive scoring of Quentin Peterson, refused to go quietly. Peterson poured in a game-high 44 points, including a series of clutch three-pointers in the final period that briefly gave Fujian the lead.

However, Shanghai's depth proved decisive. Kenneth Lofton was a force off the bench, contributing 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Wang Zhelin provided a solid presence in the painting area with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. In the final minutes, Zhang Zhenlin's consecutive points and Li Tianrong's crucial three-pointer helped stabilize the situation, while Wang Zhelin sealed the game with clutch free throws.

The Sharks led the league with a 33-4 win-loss record thanks to the victory.

In Shenzhen, the Aviators showcased their championship mettle. Despite a strong second-half push from Jiangsu, Shenzhen's offense was too potent to contain. Teaquavion Smith led the charge with a game-high 32 points. He Xining added 24 points and 5 rebounds, while Alize Johnson secured a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The game was tightly contested in the final minute, with Jiangsu narrowing the gap to just three points. However, Smith's composure under pressure, converting a key jump shot and free throws, ensured Shenzhen maintained their unbeaten run.

Jermaine Cole finished his CBA debut show on Saturday for the Nanjing Monkey Kings, but he missed all his five shooting attempts in eight minutes on court. Nanjing lost to the Guangzhou Loong Lions 95-81.

Elsewhere, the Zhejiang Lions beat the Ningbo Rockets 93-85, the Beijing Ducks smashed the Beijing Royal Fighters 84-65 in the Beijing derby, the Guangdong Southern Tigers overwhelmed the Jilin Northeast Tigers 117-84, the Qingdao Eagles edged the Liaoning Flying Leopards 98-96, the Shanxi Loongs beat the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 93-86, the Tianjin Pioneers breezed past the Sichuan Blue whales 111-86, and the Zhejiang Golden Bulls defeated the Shandong Heroes 95-72.