HANGZHOU, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Reigning champions the Zhejiang Lions beat the Shanxi Loongs 88-74 on Friday to kick off the 2025-26 season of Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) League.

Former NBA guard Rayjon Tucker, who joined the Lions in the offseason, scored 16 points as the newly-crowned CBA titleholder pulled away in the second half for a convincing victory.

Prior to the game, Zhejiang's players and staff received their championship rings on home court, moments before the franchise's first championship banner was raised to the rafters.

With the win, Zhejiang improved its all-time record against Shanxi to 34-18.

The Loongs didn't make things easy for Zhejiang either, with the team's star import Hamidou Diallo scoring 17 points and new signing Jaylen Nowell -- a 2019 NBA second-round pick -- adding 15. Jiao Hailong also contributed 15 points.

For the Lions, national team regulars Hu Jinqiu and Zhu Junlong chipped in 13 and 9 points, respectively. Fresh off a new deal this offseason, Barry Brown Jr. added 16 points to the victory.

"The new format of the competition really helps us get used to international play," Zhu said. "We'll do our best to defend our title."

The 2025-26 CBA regular season will conclude on April 24, 2026. The Lions now face the Liaoning Flying Leopards in the next round. ■