Scoreboard shows the Zhejiang Lions' loss to the Beijing Ducks 94-92 at the Huanglong Gymnasium in Hangzhou on May 17, 2025.  Photo: Weibo of Zhejiang Lions club

The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) issued disciplinary sanctions, including a 120,000 yuan ($16,650) fine, on the league's championship finalist Zhejiang Lions on Sunday, after a series of disturbing incidents in the aftermath of the Beijing Ducks' win over Zhejiang on Saturday in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province.

The Ducks' 94-92 win over the Lions ruined a planned home celebration for the Lions, who were leading the best-of-seven series 3-1 before entering Saturday's game, thus leaving many local fans frustrated.

Multiple instances of verbal attacks and abuse took place during the match in the Huanglong Gymnasium in Hangzhou as some spectators directed their venom toward both the on-court referees and the visiting Beijing players. 

As the fourth quarter wore on, with 4 minutes and 12 seconds remaining, a significant off-court incident occurred when Lou Ming, the investor of the Lions, along with some members of the team's entourage, vehemently questioned the game's officiating decisions.

Adding to the chaos, at the end of the game, Lions player Sun Minghui lost his cool. In an unsportsmanlike display, he forcefully kicked the game basketball, an action that clearly demonstrated his frustration and lack of self-control.

The troubles did not end when the final buzzer sounded. 

In the team's exit corridor, an altercation broke out between a spectator named Shi, who was part of Zhejiang's entourage, and a member of the Beijing team's accompanying staff. Shi allegedly slapped the other person, further escalating the tension.

In response to these violations of the CBA's disciplinary rules, the league has taken decisive action. 

Hangzhou, the host city of the Zhejiang team, has been stripped of the opportunity to be considered for the "Outstanding Competition Zone" award for the 2024-25 CBA season, the CBA said in its late-night statement on Sunday. 

Additionally, a total of 120,000 yuan has been deducted from the club's league funds - 20,000 yuan for the unruly behavior in the stands and 100,000 yuan for the actions of its management and entourage.

Lou has been handed a two-game suspension and a 50,000 yuan fine. His suspension will be served during the finals game on Tuesday and another subsequent game involving the Lions.

Sun, for his part, has been fined 30,000 yuan for his unsportsmanlike conduct of kicking the ball at the end of the game.

The case involving a man surnames Shi, who allegedly assaulted a Ducks staff member, has been handed over to public security organs. Once the authorities have made their decision, the CBA will then impose further disciplinary measures in accordance with league rules, it said.

The two sides will continue their championship campaign on Tuesday in Beijing, with the CBA underlining that "any recurrence of such serious disorderly events will result in the drastic measure of playing games in an empty stadium."