Mitchell was quick on the uptake. When he saw his leader change his approach, he immediately changed his own, going straight to find Wang Yi and staying ready to screen for him so he could shake off his defender and get the ball.
That was Mitchell.
He was exceptionally good at reading people—not just off the court, but on it, too.
He was an average player, even a poor one, but whenever Wang Yi was involved, he would do his job even if it killed him.
Using Mitchell's screen, Wang Yi curled out to the left corner.
Xiao Qiao's pass followed right behind him.
The instant Wang Yi stepped beyond the three-point line, Xiao Qiao sent the ball his way.
Wang Yi caught it with his back to the basket, but didn't hesitate for a moment. He jumped and turned in midair.
Randle, the Knicks' center, had already rushed over to block Wang Yi's shot.
But after Wang Yi jumped and saw Randle charging right at him, he didn't shoot immediately. Instead, he waited a beat in the air.
Only after Randle flew past his side, swinging an arm over his head, did Wang Yi use his powerful core to rise again and flick the ball from his wrist.
The ball traced a graceful arc through the air and swished through the net.
Five minutes into the game, Wang Yi had made six of seven three-pointers.
He had scored 18 points in the quarter.
Seeing that Wang Yi could score even under these circumstances, Thibodeau had no choice but to shout to his players from the sideline:
"Double-team him! Two defenders on him at all times. Don't let him get the ball."
And so, on the next possession, a strange scene unfolded.
After crossing half court, Wang Yi passed the