BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The 2025-26 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs, set to begin next Tuesday, promise a wide-open race, even if one team enters as the clear favorite.

Shanghai heads into playoffs as the team to beat after closing the regular season on a 23-game winning streak. Unlike several traditional contenders that struggled with overseas players this season, Shanghai's four-import rotation has delivered consistent production, helping elevate domestic contributors such as Li Hongquan and Li Tianrong. With a first-round bye, they will face the winner of the series between the Shandong Heroes and the Liaoning Flying Leopards.

Defending champion the Zhejiang Lions endured an uneven campaign. Star guard Sun Minghui missed nearly half the season with a ligament tear, raising concerns about the team's durability. While Zhejiang has the pedigree to surge in the postseason, its ceiling may depend on staying healthy - an issue that has affected the team in recent games despite last year's title.

The Shenzhen Aviators, one of the season's surprises, finished third behind a dynamic backcourt of Terquavion Smith and MVP frontrunner He Xining. However, a relatively thin bench leaves lingering doubts about whether Shenzhen can sustain its level over a long, physical playoff series.

The Beijing Ducks secured a top-four finish despite inconsistent performances throughout the season. The first-round bye offers valuable rest for key players Zhao Rui and Zhou Qi, who have handled heavy workloads. Beijing will next face the winner between long-time rival the Guangdong Southern Tigers and the Guangzhou Loong Lions.

That series carries added intrigue. Center Xu Xin, who requested for a move away from Guangdong during last offseason, will now face his former team and head coach Du Feng. The 2.26-meter big man has emerged as one of the league's breakout stars, averaging 11 points and 8.3 rebounds, a significant improvement from his time in Guangdong. His rise has also drawn questions over whether Du fully tapped his potential.

Meanwhile, the Ningbo Rockets have reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, finishing 11th to earn a first-round series against provincial rival Zhejiang Golden Bulls. While Ningbo's breakthrough season has been widely praised, its lack of playoff experience could prove decisive against a seasoned opponent accustomed to postseason play.