On May 12, Beijing time, the CBA playoffs quarterfinals saw Beijing defeat Guangdong with a 2-1 series score, advancing to the semifinals. In this decisive game, Zhou Qi played 25 minutes, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 12-of-18 from the free-throw line, contributing 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 4 blocks.
After the match, Beijing head coach Xu Limin attended the press conference and shared his thoughts. “Zhou Qi has been adjusting ever since his eye injury in the first phase. After recovering, he joined the training camp during the Spring Festival. Compared to last year, he has shown tremendous improvement in professionalism, physical condition, and self-discipline. His current form is the result of hard work. His leadership on the court, his ability to connect the inside and outside, as well as his rebounding and defensive presence, are irreplaceable for the team. I hope he stays healthy and continues to contribute to our championship aspirations,” Xu said.
Xu also addressed an incident in the second quarter when Zhou Qi refused to be substituted. “I wanted to rest him because I was worried about his condition. Players focus on the moment, but I have to look at the bigger picture. In the previous game, I had issues with player rotation and energy management, for which I apologized to the team. Today, no one had energy problems. In crucial games, maintaining the depth and stamina of the roster requires the coach to consider the overall situation. Zhou Qi said the team was in good shape and he could keep going, so I respected his decision and agreed. However, sometimes even if a player is performing well, the situation may force a substitution. You can’t wait until they are exhausted, or it’ll be too late to recover. Everyone contributed today.”
Beijing’s next opponent in the semifinals will be the Shanghai Sharks. The two teams faced each other twice in the regular season this season, with Shanghai sweeping Beijing both times. Historically, they have met six times in the playoffs, each winning three series. Their last playoff encounter was in the 2023-2024 season, when Shanghai eliminated Beijing with a 2-1 win in the 12-to-8 round.
