CBA playoff fans have been on edge lately, with intense on-court action and heated off-court debates over officiating. The latest matchups saw Shenzhen eliminate Zhejiang to secure a semifinal spot, while a shorthanded Guangxia snatched a road win over Shanxi, leveling the series at 1-1. With semifinal spots still up for grabs, the drama extends far beyond the games themselves.
The Shenzhen-Zhejiang series was a cliffhanger, ending 95-91 as Zhejiang watched their season end at home. Crucial turnovers in the final moments cost Zhejiang, while Shenzhen held their nerve to take the series 2-0. For Shenzhen, this is a remarkable comeback, and they can now rest and await their next opponent. Shanghai had already locked in a semifinal berth in the upper bracket, while the lower bracket remains fiercely contested.
Meanwhile, the Shanxi-Guangxia matchup was a nail-biter, with Guangxia winning 86-81 to tie the series 1-1. The outcome of the next game is anyone’s guess, as the see-saw battle shows no signs of ending soon.
Guangxia’s victory was particularly impressive given they were without star guard Sun Minghui. Hu Jinqiu stepped up in the fourth quarter, making all four of his shots for 8 points and stabilizing the game. The team grabbed 18 offensive rebounds through sheer effort, stifling Shanxi’s attempts to break through.
Shanxi’s loss can be attributed to their underperforming imports, Nate and Nichols, who struggled mightily on offense. Yumiti fought hard on defense, but with no offensive production, it was impossible to compensate. If they don’t adjust quickly, Shanxi’s playoff hopes look bleak.
The biggest controversy of these games has been the refereeing. The game featured 54 fouls and 65 free throws. Inconsistent officiating has been a recurring issue—fans in Shanxi’s home arena erupted with “Black Whistle” chants in the first game. This isn’t an isolated case; CBA referees often lack a consistent standard, leaving players unable to adapt. Depending on the whistle to decide wins and losses frustrates everyone, and such problems have appeared before. In April, Shanxi was fined 20,000 yuan and docked youth development points for a controversial game against Shenzhen. This season, Shanxi leads the league in fines, totaling over 220,000 yuan.
The CBA has attempted solutions, including bringing in foreign referees for key games. For instance, when Guangdong played Shanxi in the second stage, two foreign referees debuted—yet they called 28 fouls and 36 free throws, with no improvement. Players and coaches reported that foreign referees interpret rules differently, not necessarily worse but mismatched with the league’s style. This only heightens doubts about fairness.
Fans’ frustration isn’t baseless; they can’t tolerate such inconsistency in playoff games. After Guangxia nearly lost on a buzzer-beater and then won on free throws, it feels like strong teams get home-court advantages. The league focuses on fining fans and penalizing teams rather than training referees and unifying standards. Unchecked anger spills online.
In the NBA and European leagues, referees discuss and agree on officiating standards before games, and review key plays with video. The CBA still relies mostly on live calls, with an incomplete replay system. AI-assisted officiating was promised this year but hasn’t materialized in the playoffs.
Technical shortcomings and an incomplete system erode the league’s credibility. With Shanghai and Shenzhen in the semifinals, Guangxia and Shanxi tied 1-1, and Beijing and Guangdong still battling, the last semifinal spot is up for grabs. Every team is so close that a single play can decide the outcome.
Will there be an upset? Who will claim the final spot? And more importantly, all eyes will be on the officiating in the next game on May 13, when Guangxia hosts Shanxi. How long can fans trust the league? Will the league address these doubts? These questions loom larger than the games themselves.
This postseason is a test not just of the players, but of the entire system—from refereeing to technology. Whether the league can resolve these long-standing issues will reveal its true resolve. Everyone is waiting to see if the CBA can provide a satisfactory answer to its fans.