Chapter Summaries

Xiao Hua arranged an emergency nationwide broadcast of the Kings–Pelicans game after Wang Yi’s spectacular first half drew massive attention. As the second half began, Wang Yi returned to the court to face the Pelicans’ plan to double-team him and limit his rebounds.

• After fans demanded nationwide coverage, Xiao Hua ordered the broadcast management center to coordinate with major networks and secure a nationwide broadcast for the second half.
• ESPN, ABC, and HBO began airing the game nationwide, and the NBA announced the change on Twitter.
• In Tencent’s NBA Live Broadcast Room, Xiao Jiu, Ke Fan, and Ma Jian discussed the broadcast and Wang Yi’s influence.
• Fans cheered Wang Yi as he emerged from the tunnel, and he replied to Chinese-descendant fans in Chinese.
• The Pelicans’ coach instructed his players to keep doubling Wang Yi, box him out, and avoid giving him another chance to block their shots.

The Pelicans erased the Kings’ lead with a barrage of three-pointers and Zion taunted Wang Yi, but Wang Yi answered by sinking two threes over a two-man trap. The chapter ended with the Pelicans’ coach unsure whether to risk sending a third defender at him.

• The Pelicans hit four threes and scored twice in the paint, cutting the Kings’ lead to seven and then tying the score after a timeout.
• After Zion dunked and roared at Wang Yi, Wang Yi called for the ball and made a logo three over Ingram and Graham’s trap.
• The arena erupted as Wang Yi stared down Zion, who answered by dunking over Bagley and roaring toward the crowd.
• Wang Yi used screens to get the ball, then made another three over Ingram and Graham’s two-man trap.
• Napper joked that the Pelicans would need three defenders to trap Wang Yi, leaving Green at a loss over what to do.

Wang Yi repeatedly scored against the Pelicans' two-man trap, including a three-point play, and his hot streak forced a timeout. As he left the court, the Kings' fans sang for him while people nearby streamed toward the arena.

• Wang Yi made two straight threes against Ingram and Graham's two-man trap, while Ingram answered with a three-point play.
• Wang Yi reached Hield's high pass, then scored through contact from Graham and earned a three-point play of his own.
• Wang Yi made another three against the trap as Napier urged Coach Green to change the defense.
• Wang Yi hit a fourth three in the run, scoring 13 straight points and forcing the Pelicans to call a timeout.
• Kings fans sang Song of Wang Yi as he left the court, and people nearby came streaming toward Golden 1 Center.

Wang Yi returned from injury and continued dominating the Pelicans, prompting Coach Green to send in Lewis to foul him hard. Lewis injured his shoulder when Wang Yi hooked his arm during a fall, leaving him pinned beneath Wang Yi and writhing in pain.

• Spectators were stunned to see Wang Yi playing and saw his 59-point quadruple-double on the arena screen.
• Coach Green sent Lewis in to replace Graham and ordered him to foul Wang Yi aggressively.
• The Pelicans scored a two-plus-one before Wang Yi faced Lewis one-on-one at the top of the arc.
• Lewis struck Wang Yi's shooting arm as he rose for a three, knocking Wang Yi off balance.
• Wang Yi hooked Lewis's arm as he fell, and Lewis crashed to the floor beneath him, clutching his injured shoulder.

Lewis dislocated his shoulder while trying to foul Wang Yi, and Wang Yi answered with a scoring run as the Kings and Pelicans grew increasingly hostile. After Hield was ejected for shoving Graham, Wang Yi made another long-range shot that pushed the Kings’ lead to thirteen.

• Lewis dislocated his shoulder while fouling Wang Yi, and the referee upgraded his foul to a Flagrant 1 after reviewing the play.
• Wang Yi made three free throws, then hit a three-pointer to give the Kings an eight-point lead.
• Graham pulled Wang Yi down on a drive, and Hield shoved Graham to protect Wang Yi, triggering a court-wide confrontation.
• The referees gave Graham a Flagrant 1 and ejected Hield, drawing loud protests from the Kings’ fans and players.
• Wang Yi made both free throws and then hit a left-handed shot from the Kings’ crown logo, extending the lead to thirteen.

Wang Yi scored 89 points through three quarters against the Pelicans, putting Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point record within reach. As the fourth quarter approached, Pelicans Head Coach Green urged his players to fight so they would not become the backdrop to Wang Yi’s historic performance.

• After the Pelicans stopped committing flagrant fouls, Wang Yi kept scoring through contact and set a new personal single-game record with 83 points.
• Wang Yi finished the third quarter with 44 points in the period and 89 for the game, while the Pelicans scored only 36 points in the quarter.
• Fans worldwide, Adam Silver, and Stephen A. Smith watched excitedly as Wang Yi moved within 11 points of Wilt Chamberlain’s record.
• With the Pelicans trailing 108–91, Green warned his players that they would be remembered as the backdrop if Wang Yi broke the record.
• Green’s speech fired up the Pelicans players, who vowed not to become the backdrop.

Zion Williams lost his confidence after facing Wang Yi, who had scored 91 points while the Kings built a commanding lead. Though Wang Yi asked to sit out, fans, Walton, and Adam Silver urged him to keep going for 100 points, and he agreed to continue.

• Zion Williams looked despondent on the bench after the Pelicans fell far behind Wang Yi’s scoring pace, and Coach Green sent him into the fourth quarter to regain his confidence.
• Zion helped cut the deficit to 10 points while Wang Yi rested, but he faltered again when Wang Yi returned and the Kings restored their lead.
• Coach Green ordered the Pelicans to triple-team Wang Yi to keep him from breaking the NBA single-game scoring record, while the Kings scored against the resulting defensive gaps.
• With three minutes remaining, Wang Yi had 91 points and 20 assists, and he asked Walton to let him sit out as fans chanted for 100 points.
• Walton urged Wang Yi to keep playing and promised to have his teammates set screens, but Wang Yi agreed to continue without them, saying the triple-team left him open.

With the game nearly over, Wang Yi scored repeatedly as he chased the single-game record, reaching 98 points. The Pelicans then used four defenders to keep him from getting the ball, and only 22 seconds remained when their tactic finally worked.

• After the timeout, Wang Yi scored an alley-oop dunk to reach 93 points.
• Wang Yi stole the ball from Zion and dunked in transition, bringing his total to 95.
• Wang Yi grabbed a rebound, evaded Ingram, and hit a logo three to reach 98 points.
• Green called a timeout and ordered the Pelicans to swarm Wang Yi with as many as five players before he could receive the ball.
• The Pelicans surrounded Wang Yi with four defenders and kept him from getting the ball for a full minute, leaving 22 seconds in the game.

With 22 seconds left and 98 points scored, Wang Yi faced the Pelicans’ efforts to deny him a chance at the NBA single-game scoring record. After the Kings fouled to regain possession, Wang Yi anticipated the Pelicans’ plan and stole Valanciunas’s deliberate missed free throw.

• With the Pelicans holding the ball and guarding Wang Yi with up to five players, Barnes gathered the Kings and planned to foul so they could regain possession.
• Wang Yi told his teammates he had a plan to break the record once they passed him the ball.
• Mitchell fouled Valanciunas, stopping the clock and sending him to the free-throw line.
• After making his first free throw, Valanciunas deliberately hit the rim with his second shot so he could try to rebound it and preserve Pelicans possession.
• Wang Yi darted in and stole the rebound from Valanciunas as the ball came off the rim.

Wang Yi outsmarted the Pelicans' attempt to deny him the ball and called a timeout, but after play resumed, their five-man coverage kept him from getting open as the clock ran down. With 11 seconds left, he complained about the Pelicans and appealed helplessly to the crowd.

• Wang Yi intercepted the ball before Valanciunas could grab it and signaled for a timeout, frustrating the Pelicans' plan.
• During the timeout, Wang Yi encouraged his teammates to pass to him as soon as he got open, while the Pelicans prepared to surround him.
• When the Kings inbounded, the Pelicans' five players crowded around Wang Yi and blocked every attempt he made to get free.
• With 11 seconds left, Wang Yi called the Pelicans cowards and spread his hands toward the crowd before making a surprising move.

Wang Yi broke through the Pelicans’ five-man trap and hit a three-pointer as time expired, raising his total to 101 and breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s single-game scoring record. He celebrated at center court as fans and commentators erupted.

• With seconds left, Wang Yi took off his shoes and tossed them into the stands, making the Pelicans think he had given up.
• Wang Yi suddenly turned back, forced his way between Graham and Ingram, and broke through the five-man trap.
• Mitchell passed Wang Yi the ball, and Wang Yi jumped and shot as the buzzer sounded.
• Graham fouled Wang Yi’s arm, but the ball went in for a three-pointer, giving Wang Yi 101 points and breaking the record.
• Fans, commentators, and Xiao Hua celebrated as Wang Yi raised his fist and roared at center court.

Wang Yi celebrated breaking the NBA single-game scoring record, then made a free throw to finish with 102 points. A replay revealed that he had deliberately loosened his shoes as part of his plan for the final basket.

• Wang Yi roared after scoring his record-breaking 101st point, and fans around the world erupted in celebration.
• The referee waited for the arena to settle before letting Wang Yi take his free throw, which he made to reach 102 points.
• Xiao Hua watched the historic finish and considered Wang Yi as a potential NBA star for the post-James era.
• Ma Jian and Ke Fan praised Wang Yi's cunning after reviewing how he fooled the Pelicans in the final seconds.
• The broadcast replay showed Wang Yi loosening his shoelaces during the timeout, revealing that he had planned the trick in advance.

After scoring 102 points and leading the Kings to a historic night, Wang Yi confessed his feelings to Nicole, and they embraced before the watching world. The arena displayed his 102-point, 25-rebound, 22-assist, 20-block quadruple-double as Nicole took a photo of him with the record board.

• Wang Yi celebrated his final free throw as Kings players and staff rushed onto the court, while his father Wang Jianhua watched proudly from China.
• Nicole pushed through the crowd, embraced Wang Yi, and heard him confess that he liked her.
• Wang Yi explained why he had held back before, and Nicole told him that being by his side was all she wanted.
• Wang Yi turned down a photographer and asked Nicole to take his picture beside the 102-point display board.
• The arena screen showed Wang Yi's final stats: 102 points, 25 rebounds, 22 assists, and 20 blocks.

After Wang Yi’s record-setting 102-point quadruple-double, Mitchell secured the game ball while Wang arranged for Chinese reporters to interview him first and requested Nicole for ESPN. Wang then gave Zuo Xiao her chance to interview him, and she ended by asking whether he and Nicole were in a relationship.

• Mitchell found the game ball, gave it to Danny, and arranged for a security guard to escort them to the locker room.
• Wang Yi asked for Chinese reporters to interview him before other media and requested Nicole for his ESPN interview.
• Wang Yi called over Zuo Xiao and told her she would interview him after the game.
• Zuo Xiao asked Wang Yi what motivated his historic performance, and he cited proving himself, conquering the NBA, and reaching the Western Conference Finals with his teammates.
• Zuo Xiao asked whether Wang Yi and Nicole had confirmed they were in a relationship.

After Wang Yi scored 102 points, he confirmed that he and Nicole were together while Zuo Xiao hid her own feelings. His record-setting game made him a sensation in China and the United States, and Time Magazine’s editors decided he should be their Person of the Year.

• Wang Yi told Zuo Xiao that he and Nicole were together, leaving Zuo Xiao disappointed despite her congratulations.
• Nicole gave a conventional interview, and Wang Yi celebrated with his teammates before going out for a late-night meal with Nick.
• Xiao Hua publicized Wang Yi’s 102-point record in hopes of drawing more money and attention to the NBA, though he still had not recognized that he and Mo Gou needed to apologize to repair the league’s relationship with China.
• Wang Yi dominated Chinese trending topics, his shoes and jerseys sold out, and a giant poster of him appeared in Times Square.
• Wang Yi declined a Sports Illustrated cover shoot because his right hand hurt and the playoffs were approaching.
• Time Magazine’s editors chose Wang Yi for its Person of the Year cover after his record-breaking performance.

After aggravating his hand injury, Wang Yi learned he would miss the Kings’ first playoff game against the Lakers, though he hoped to return for the third. He accepted Time magazine’s offer to make him its 2023 Person of the Year cover subject and assured Nicole he intended to marry her, while Lakers owner Jenny Bass regretted trading him and asked Pelinka about bringing him back.

• Wang Yi’s doctor said his hand injury would need at least a week of rest and would keep him out of the first round’s opening game, so Wang Yi hoped the system would help him return for the Kings’ third game against the Lakers.
• Wang Yi turned down a Sports Illustrated cover shoot, then accepted Time magazine’s offer to feature him as its 2023 Person of the Year cover subject.
• Wang Yi told Nicole that he wanted to spend his life with her, and Nicole embraced him happily.
• Jordan, Barkley, and James praised Wang Yi’s performance, while Jenny Bass regretted trading him to the Kings.
• Jenny Bass asked Pelinka whether the Lakers could trade for Wang Yi, but Pelinka explained that Wang Yi would not return after the Lakers’ PR team had smeared him.

Wang Yi’s 102-point game inspired children around the world, including Juan, who would grow into a dominant NBA center alongside Pang Bo. Smith then criticized Wang for padding his stats, sparking an angry backlash online.

• In a Spanish slum, Juan told the other boys that Wang Yi played barefoot, and Uncle Carlos showed them the game footage proving Wang had removed his shoes only to escape a late-game trap.
• Carlos invited Juan and the other boys to watch Wang Yi’s game on his phone, inspiring Juan to pursue basketball; the chapter recounted how Juan and Pang Bo later became dominant centers and credited Wang Yi with changing their lives.
• Smith posted on Twitter that Wang’s 102 points were padded and criticized his decision to stay in the game and remove his shoes.
• Basketball fans on Twitter defended Wang Yi, comparing his record-breaking performance to other great scoring games and condemning Smith for attacking him for money.

Wang Yi focused on recovering his right hand, attended an NBA youth basketball camp, and decided to organize a training camp in China during the offseason. As the Kings prepared to face the Lakers in the playoffs, the Kings announced Wang Yi would miss Game One, leaving their chances of advancing at just 5.7%.

• Wang Yi’s doctor said his right hand could recover fully within a week, and Nicole screened requests so he could focus on training.
• Wang Yi attended an NBA youth basketball camp in Sacramento, where children flocked to learn Logo three-pointers from him.
• Wang Yi decided to organize a youth training camp in China during the offseason.
• The Kings drew the top-seeded Lakers in the first playoff round, and experts gave the Kings a 14.3% chance of advancing after Wang Yi’s 102-point game.
• The Kings announced Wang Yi would miss Game One, and experts lowered the Kings’ odds of advancing to 5.7%.

With Wang Yi sidelined, the Kings lost their first two playoff games to the Lakers, while critics attacked him for missing the series. After his hand fully recovered, Wang Yi returned to the Kings’ arena ahead of Game 3, where his teammates welcomed him and saw him make a long-range shot.

• The Kings lost 98–122 to the Lakers without Wang Yi, and experts lowered their chances of advancing to 1.8% after he announced he would miss Game 2 as well.
• Pippen, Pierce, Stephen A. Smith, and other critics accused Wang Yi of being soft and lacking leadership, while Nicole’s grandfather advised her not to interfere with public opinion.
• Nicole stayed beside Wang Yi while he trained and read, and his doctor confirmed that his right hand had fully recovered.
• On April 22, Wang Yi arrived early at Golden 1 Center with Nicole before Game 3, and his teammates came early to welcome him back.
• Wang Yi launched a Logo three-pointer that went in, reassuring his teammates that he was in good form.

Wang Yi rallied the Kings around their goal of reaching the Western Conference Finals before their playoff game against the Lakers. As the packed Golden 1 Center welcomed him onto the court, he told his teammates to focus on defense and leave the offense to him, and the system prompted him to check in.

• Wang Yi made 22 consecutive logo threes during practice, thrilling the Kings organization.
• Ranadave asked Wang Yi to help the Kings avoid a sweep, but Wang Yi reminded everyone that their goal was the Western Conference Finals.
• Wang Yi led his teammates in chanting “Western Conference Finals,” while Danny, Mitchell, Bagley, and Hield committed to supporting him.
• Fans filled Golden 1 Center, including Chinese-descendant supporters in Wang Yi jerseys and celebrities who came to cheer for the Kings.
• Wang Yi emerged last during player introductions to loud cheers and the Overture of the Little Knife Society.
• Wang Yi told his teammates to focus on defense, then heard the system prompt him to check in.