First came two huge blocks, then a fast-break dunk.
Now there were four consecutive three-pointers. This entire first quarter had become Wang Yi's personal show.
How were they supposed to deal with this?
Pierce was momentarily speechless, while Shaquille O'Neal burst into laughter on the other side and said:
"Did you see that, Pierce? This is Wang Yi at low health!"
"Even at low health, Wang Yi is already performing this brilliantly in the Finals."
"You can imagine it—if Wang Yi were at full health, the Celtics simply couldn't withstand his devastation."
Pierce forced himself to hold it in for a long while before finally squeezing out a sentence:
"This is only the opening. We'll see."
Shaquille O'Neal laughed heartily.
"We'll see, we'll see. Then let's see."
At the Lakers' Resting Area on the sidelines, Phil Jackson remained expressionless, but a trace of delight showed in his eyes.
You rarely saw the Zen Master, steady as Mount Tai, reveal any emotion. Yet there was a glimmer of joy in his eyes now, showing just how pleased he was.
He had never expected Wang Yi, who had struggled since returning from injury, played poorly in the first two rounds, and only barely recovered some form in the third round, to be in such phenomenal form in his first Finals game.
Five minutes had been played in the first quarter, and those five minutes had been entirely his personal show.
It would not have been an exaggeration to say that he had completely dominated the game for those five minutes.
Even Phil Jackson was marveling inwardly.
This was Wang Yi after a severe right foot injury, Wang Yi whose right foot had completely lost its explosive power after returning.
If Wang Yi were at full health, wouldn't he beat the Celtics into