Jeremy Lin’s Beijing Ducks make remarkable comeback in derby match-up despite former NBA star’s pre-game muscle injury
- Lin reportedly suffers from muscle cramps in afternoon training session as Ducks field only one foreign player
- Ducks score 12 points in 22 seconds, with Zhu Yanxi sinking dramatic buzzer-beater against Beijing Royal Fighters
Jeremy Lin’s Beijing Ducks secured a huge 91-90 comeback win as this season’s star player sat on the sidelines with muscle issues.
The Ducks were 86-79 down to Beijing Royal Fighters – coached by NBA and CBA legend Stephon Marbury – with only 22 seconds left on the clock at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium.
Substitute centre Zhu Yanxi was the night’s hero as he sunk a buzzer-beating three to secure the Ducks’ second win over their Beijing rivals of the season. They now sit fourth in the table with seven wins and three losses.
According to Sina Sports, Lin was treated in the locker room for muscle cramps after a pre-game training session before staff deemed him unready to play in the important derby.
The Ducks fielded only one foreign player in the 29-year-old Croatian-American Justin Hamilton. The former Brooklyn Nets centre put up 24 points, eight rebounds and one assist in his team-high 45 minutes of playing time.
It is unclear whether Lin will return for the Ducks’ home match-up against Bayi Rockets on Thursday.