Three-time defending champions the Liaoning Flying Leopards battled from behind to beat the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 123-112 in the 2024-25 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season opener in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Saturday, beginning their quest for a fourth straight title, and fifth overall, with an emphatic win.

The Flying Leopards received their championship rings and lifted their fourth banner to the rafters ahead of tip-off, but Zhejiang outplayed the reigning titleholders in the first half. The Golden Bulls went 6-for-12 from three-point range in the opening quarter, en route to grabbing a 33-31 lead.

The visitors attacked with even more aggression in the second quarter, going on 6-0 and 8-2 runs to extend their edge to nine points at halftime, 61-52.

Gabriel York and Yu Jiahao both scored in double-figures for Zhejiang in the first half. Liaoning countered with the joint firepower of Kyle Fogg and Marial Shayok, who combined for 37 points before the break.

Last season's CBA Finals Most Valuable Player Fogg remained unstoppable in the third quarter, helping the Flying Leopards outscore the Golden Bulls 42-21, as the hosts took a 94-82 lead into the final period.

The titleholders reeled off an 11-0 run early in the fourth quarter, opening up their biggest advantage of the evening at 18 points, 107-89.

Lu Wenbo sank back-to-back three-pointers as the Golden Bulls attempted to rally, but Fogg scored four points in a row to keep the game under control for Liaoning.

Zhejiang's final counterattack peaked when Wu Qian drained a shot from behind the arc and Paris Bass nailed a floater to cut the deficit to seven points, 115-108.

But after the Flying Leopards called a timeout, Zhao Jiwei and Fogg both knocked down three-pointers to seal the deal for the champions.