With four minutes gone in the second quarter, Team America had already stretched the lead to 15 points. Coach Dako realized they were starting to get serious.
He immediately called a timeout, and not for any other reason than to make substitutions.
He took out the bench players and sent in the starters.
Wang Yi, Doncic, and Jokic all took the floor.
After checking in, Doncic still brought the ball across half court.
But this time, Wang Yi didn't obediently camp out in the left corner. Just as Jokic had crossed half court, he suddenly took off toward the center circle.
Doncic read his intentions and passed him the ball.
Wang Yi caught it, turned halfway toward the basket, and rose straight up for a jumper from inside the center circle.
Jalen Green chased after him.
But Wang Yi's first step was so quick that Jalen Green couldn't catch up.
He was like Hou Yi drawing his bow to shoot down the sun.
The basketball seemed to fly toward the hoop at full throttle.
But he'd clearly put too much power into it, and it slammed hard against the backboard.
Bang—
The backboard boomed, as if a grenade had exploded against it.
But after bouncing off the glass, the ball still dropped cleanly through the net.
The arena erupted in cheers.
Honestly, that shot had been lucky.
But luck was always part of basketball.
Whenever you stepped onto the court, luck could affect you. That made it part of the game, too.
Wang Yi's shot immediately cut the deficit to 12.
Dongzi clenched his right fist and shouted, "Yes!"
Jokic came over to high-five Wang Yi. "So this is what it feels like to have a teammate who can hit a shot from half court. It's wonderful."
Ingram and DeRozan