Preview: Guangdong Looks to Rebound Against Struggling Shaanxi

WEINAN, China (Interstat) — A stark contrast in fortunes will be on display Sunday when the powerhouse Guangdong women’s basketball team visits the last-place Shaanxi squad at Weinan Arena.

Guangdong (15-5), among the league’s elite, aims to bounce back from a narrow road loss. Shaanxi (2-19) seeks any sign of positive momentum amid a prolonged slump. The matchup, organized by the China Basketball Association, tips off Feb. 1, 2026.

The visiting Southern Tigers are heavy favorites, having handily defeated Shaanxi 97-77 in their most recent meeting on Dec. 31. Guangdong’s strength is underscored by its position near the top of the standings, while Shaanxi has managed only two victories all season.

Guangdong’s consistency stems from star forward Wenxia Li, who has been a dominant force. In her last 10 games, Li has recorded eight double-doubles, including a 25-point, 16-rebound performance in a close loss to Xinjiang on Jan. 23. Despite Guangdong’s 79-83 loss at Shanxi on Tuesday, Li pulled down 14 rebounds. Her inside presence will be a primary concern for the home side.

Shaanxi’s hopes rest largely on the scoring prowess of forward Sidney Cooks. Cooks has been a bright spot in a difficult season, averaging 20.3 points over her last 10 contests. She exploded for 32 points against Beijing on Jan. 10 and followed with 27 points in a rare win over Zhejiang on Jan. 6. In the Jan. 29 loss to Shanghai, Cooks again led all scorers with 27 points.

However, Shaanxi’s defense has been a persistent issue, allowing an average of 88.5 points per game during its current 1-8 stretch. Containing Li and a balanced Guangdong attack that features contributors like Aliyah Collier and Chen Yanyu presents a formidable challenge.

For Guangdong, this game represents a critical opportunity to stabilize after a recent 2-3 patch and keep pace at the top of the table. For Shaanxi, it is another daunting test against a team that has already demonstrated its superiority this season.