Excitement rises for the finals push

With playoffs looming, CBA's top teams get set to contest thrilling season finale

As the 2024-25 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) regular season drew to a close on Monday, playoffs-bound teams seek to progress further, while those already eliminated can set their sights on their preparations for next season.

The race for the top four, and the automatic qualification berths for the quarterfinals, epitomized the huge suspense that marked the regular season.

Four teams finished level on points in their fight for the last two direct qualification spots, with the Beijing Ducks and the Liaoning Flying Leopards securing their respective places, while the Xinjiang Flying Tigers and the Shandong Heroes, placed fifth and sixth respectively, have to play one more series.