If Wang Yi jumped to catch the ball here, it would disrupt his shooting rhythm.
If he landed after catching it and then jumped again to shoot, there wouldn't be enough time.
Wang Yi realized this too, but he had no time to think it through.
With just one step of a run-up from the free-throw line, he planted his right foot one step inside the line and leaped into the air, catching the ball.
By then, the Hornets' power forward, Kuminga, had already charged at him.
After catching the ball, Wang Yi never touched the ground.
He spun 360 degrees in midair, using the momentum.
The spin carried him almost all the way around Kuminga's body.
He slipped past Kuminga in midair.
Then Wang Yi extended both hands with the ball held high.
He was going for a layup.
But just then, Wemby slid across once more, blocking Wang Yi's path and raising his right hand to swat the shot.
In that instant, Wang Yi forcibly pulled the ball back with both hands.
Just before he landed, his right hand reached out from beneath Wemby's left ribs.
From behind Wemby, he gently flicked the ball upward, sending it toward the basket.
It sounded like a lot, but it all happened in an instant.
To the crowd, it looked as if Wang Yi had frozen in midair.
At that moment, less than 0.5 seconds passed from the ball leaving Wang Yi's fingertips to reaching the hoop.
But to the thousands upon thousands of fans on both sides, those less than 0.5 seconds felt as long as five hours.
The instant the ball reached the hoop, the red light came on and the buzzer let out a shrill, piercing blast.
BEEEEEP--------
The game was over!
And yet, at that very moment,