Early qualification! Liao Sanning scores 23 points as Chinese men's basketball team crushes Bahrain by 46 points to secure second straight win at Asian Games.

On September 12 at 3 PM Beijing time, the Chinese men's basketball team played against Bahrain in the second Group C match of the 2026 Asian Games. They dominated with a 105-59 win, earning their second straight win and booking a spot in the top eight ahead of schedule.

Technical Statistics

China: Liao Sanning 23 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists; Li Yuezhou 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists; Hu Jinqiu 11 points, 4 rebounds; Wang Junjie 11 points, 4 rebounds; Pang Zhenglin 11 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists.

Bahrain: Sampson 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; Thomas 10 points, 2 assists; Al-Darazi 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists; Blee 7 points, 3 rebounds.

In the men's basketball event of this Asian Games, China, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines are all in Group C. In the first round, China defeated Kazakhstan 99-61, while Bahrain narrowly beat the Philippines 89-85.

Game Progression

At the start of the first quarter, China launched a fierce attack. Hu Jinqiu scored 3 points in a row, and Zhu Junlong and Li Hongquan hit consecutive three-pointers, leading to a 9-0 run for a dream start. Rashid and Sampson scored inside to end Bahrain's scoring drought, but China maintained their hot streak and kept a 9-point lead. Bahrain tried to cut the deficit, but Liao Sanning scored 5 straight points to force a timeout. After the timeout, China kept up the pressure, with Liao completing a three-point play and Hu Mingxuan hitting a three-pointer, extending the lead to 19 points. Near the end of the quarter, Bahrain mounted a counterattack, but China held firm. By the end of the first quarter, China had scored 32 points with a 21-point lead. They made 5 of 9 three-pointers, and Liao Sanning was perfect with 4-of-4 shooting for 10 points.

In the second quarter, both teams started cold, missing several shots until Cui Yongxi hit a three-pointer to break the drought. Then, Bahrain fought back with mid-range jumpers and driving layups, but Liao Sanning sank another three-pointer and Jiao Boqiao scored on a cut, allowing China to stabilize and maintain a 21-point lead. Toward the end of the half, Bahrain hit consecutive threes, while China scored from free throws. At halftime, China led 46-29. China had a 22-12 advantage in rebounds, 11-5 in assists, and made 7 of 19 three-pointers. Liao Sanning had 15 points in the first half.

After the break, Bahrain came out more energized, scoring 4 points through drives and free throws. Wang Junjie hit a three-pointer to steady China. Then, Hu Jinqiu repeatedly attacked the paint for scores, and Wang Junjie added points inside and out, sparking another scoring run. When Liao Sanning drew a foul on a fastbreak layup and made both free throws, China led by 26 points. Near the end of the quarter, Bahrain organized a counterattack, but China stayed composed and kept scoring, with Liao Sanning hitting a buzzer-beater. After three quarters, China led 71-42.

In the fourth quarter, China maintained their shooting touch, scoring from beyond the arc and on drives to extend their lead. Then, both teams traded points with jumpers and transition layups, but China's huge lead kept them in control. With the gap too large and time running out, the game was decided. China ultimately won by a big margin over Bahrain, securing their second straight win and advancing to the quarterfinals.

Starting Lineups

China: Liao Sanning, Li Hongquan, Pang Zhenglin, Hu Jinqiu, Zhu Junlong.

Bahrain: Sampson, Rashid, Haji, Blee, Al-Haddad.