Chapter Summaries

The Kings and Lakers battled through a second overtime as Wang Yi helped cut into Los Angeles’s lead. With 33 seconds left and the Kings trailing by two, Wang Yi went to the free-throw line.

• The second overtime began with both teams using depleted lineups and struggling to score from outside.
• Wang Yi drew a foul from Dwight Howard, fouling Howard out, while the Lakers used fast breaks to take a four-point lead in the final minute.
• Wang Yi blocked Russell Westbrook’s layup, then sprinted ahead and dunked off a pass from Mitchell to cut the Lakers’ lead to two.
• Westbrook missed a dunk, and Bagley secured the rebound before Danny passed the ball to Wang Yi.
• Wang Yi drove toward the basket, drew a foul from Tucker, and went to the free-throw line with 33 seconds remaining.

After tying the game with two free throws, Wang Yi intercepted James’s lob and took the final possession himself, but James blocked his shot and raced toward the Kings’ basket. Wang Yi launched into pursuit as James charged toward a potential game-winner.

• Wang Yi made both free throws to tie the score at 114.
• James tried to lob the ball to Little Jordan, but Wang Yi intercepted the pass and Mitchell gave him the ball.
• With 28 seconds left, Wang Yi declined a timeout, brought the ball up, and waved his teammates aside to attack James one-on-one.
• Wang Yi crossed past James and used a Buddha Move to evade Westbrook before attempting a fadeaway, but James blocked the shot and took the ball.
• James raced toward the Kings’ basket with four seconds remaining, and Wang Yi sprang after him from the floor.

Wang Yi blocked LeBron James’s last-second dunk to tie the game at 114–114 and force a third overtime. During the break, the exhausted teams prepared to rely on their stars, while Wang Yi received a system reward that guaranteed a game-winning shot from anywhere in the frontcourt in the final second.

• Wang Yi chased down James and blocked his fast-break dunk with one second remaining, sending the game to a third overtime.
• Shaquille O'Neal and Smith praised the dramatic exchange, while commentators in the Tencent NBA Live Broadcast Room recounted the stars’ statistics.
• The Lakers and Kings coaches prepared for the third overtime, with the Lakers concerned about James’s stamina and the Kings relying on Wang Yi.
• Danny regretted being unable to ease the burden on Wang Yi as the Kings looked to their leader.
• Wang Yi received a Beginner Game-Winning Shot Experience Card after completing a clutch block and a hidden mission.

In the third overtime, James and Wang Yi both fouled out within the first forty-five seconds, leaving the Lakers and Kings without their central stars. As the Kings faced a bleak final stretch, Wang Yi placed his trust in rookie Danny.

• James accidentally caught Wang Yi's foot while pursuing a rebound, committed his sixth foul, and left the game.
• Wang Yi elbowed Little Jordan in the face while driving to the basket, received his sixth foul, and was ejected.
• With 4:15 remaining, Walton called a timeout to reorganize the Kings' lineup, while commentators questioned how the substitutes could cope.
• Wang Yi approached Danny, put a hand on his shoulder, and told him that the game was up to him.

During the decisive third overtime of Game Seven, Wang Yi talked rookie Danny out of his self-doubt and convinced the Kings to run plays for him. Danny returned to the court ready to take the shots, though Wang admitted he had only been trying to motivate him.

• Danny said he could not handle the responsibility of leading the team in the third overtime.
• Wang Yi reminded Danny of his past game-winning shot, praised his discipline and shooting, and invoked Klay Thompson as Danny’s idol.
• Danny gained confidence after Wang Yi urged him never to say he could not do something.
• Wang Yi told Walton to use his usual three-point plays for Danny, and Walton agreed to the plan.
• Danny finished his water and returned to the court determined to take open shots.
• Walton asked whether Wang Yi truly trusted Danny, and Wang admitted he had been talking him into it.

With the Kings depleted and trailing in the third overtime, Westbrook pushed the Lakers ahead while Danny found his shooting touch from beyond the arc. Danny's fourth straight three-pointer cut the lead to four, leaving the Lakers unable to dismiss the Kings' comeback.

• Westbrook scored twice in quick succession and gave the Lakers a six-point lead as the Kings struggled with their depleted lineup.
• Danny made a three off a Mitchell pick-and-roll, then the Lakers answered with Westbrook's baskets and a fast break.
• Danny hit two more threes from the same spot, prompting Vogel to order the Lakers to switch and contest his shots.
• Westbrook completed a three-point play, Bagley fouled out, and the Kings were left without a true big man.
• Danny made his fourth three despite Tucker guarding him, cutting the Lakers' lead to four.

With Wang Yi ejected and the Kings on the brink, Danny caught fire from three and traded baskets with Russell Westbrook. Danny hit a three-point buzzer-beater to win the game for the Kings.

• Danny made five three-pointers in overtime as he matched Westbrook basket for basket and tied the game.
• During a timeout, Wang Yi encouraged Danny, who said he believed he could do even better.
• The Kings ran a play for Danny, but his first three-point attempt missed and Barnes recovered the long rebound.
• Barnes drove into the paint and passed to Danny, whose next shot hit the rim; Mitchell tipped the rebound back outside with three seconds left.
• Danny faked out Westbrook and Rondo, then sank a three-point buzzer-beater as the Kings won the game.

Danny hit a game-winning three to give the Kings a 134–131 victory over the Lakers after three overtimes, completing the sixth Black Eight Miracle and advancing to the Second Round. As fans and Wang Yi’s family celebrated, the chapter ended with Chris Barnes taking the Kings’ victory as a reason not to give up hope.

• Danny made a game-winning three with one second left, and the Kings eliminated the Lakers in Game Seven after three overtimes.
• Smith fell silent as Shaquille O'Neal congratulated the Kings on achieving the sixth Black Eight Miracle and reaching the Second Round.
• Wang Zixin, Meng Hetang, and Meina celebrated the win on the Tencent NBA Live Broadcast Room, while Meina also mourned James’s elimination.
• Wang Zhixing cried with excitement in her university dormitory, and Li Fei comforted her as they praised Wang Yi’s effort.
• Wang Jianhua watched his son’s victory at school and joked with the PE teachers about treating them to lunch.
• Chris Barnes watched from the hospital and wondered whether the Kings’ refusal to give up meant he should keep hoping, while Zeng Xinyi cried with relief and pride in Wang Yi.

After the Kings defeated the Lakers, Wang Yi and James traded jerseys and arranged to share wine before the Kings' next game. At the postgame press conference, Danny credited Wang Yi's encouragement for his confidence and game-winning shot.

• James waited for Wang Yi at center court, embraced him, and told him the future was his.
• James asked Wang Yi to trade jerseys, and they exchanged them and took photos together.
• James invited Wang Yi to his home for wine before the Kings' Second Round game against the Clippers, and Wang Yi accepted.
• Danny and Wang Yi attended the postgame press conference, where Danny said he had not been confident against Westbrook.
• Danny explained that Wang Yi's encouragement had given him the confidence to make the game-winning shot.

After the Kings eliminated the Lakers, Wang Yi praised Danny’s three-point shooting and encouraged him to work toward becoming like Klay Thompson. Wang Yi reaffirmed the Kings’ goal of reaching the Western Conference Finals, then faced a reporter’s request to assess the Lakers.

• Danny credited Wang Yi for believing in him, and Wang Yi told reporters Danny’s game-winning shots showed his talent for three-point shooting.
• Wang Yi encouraged Danny by saying his shooting and improving defense gave him a chance to become like Klay Thompson if he worked hard.
• Wang Yi told reporters the Kings’ goal of reaching the Western Conference Finals had not changed.
• A reporter asked Wang Yi to assess the Lakers, and Wang Yi welcomed the chance to exchange compliments.

After eliminating the Lakers, Wang Yi praised them and apologized to Westbrook, while the Lakers reflected on his talent and their role in losing him. The exhausted Kings stayed in Los Angeles to prepare for the Clippers and moved to a luxury hotel.

• Wang Yi praised the Lakers and apologized to Westbrook for provoking him during the game.
• Westbrook accepted Wang Yi's apology with a bitter smile, and James, Westbrook, and Thick Eyebrows praised Wang Yi at the Lakers' press conference.
• Jenny Bass regretted trading and smearing Wang Yi, Pelinka brooded in his office, and Magic Johnson blamed Jenny for the Lakers' downfall.
• The Kings decided to remain in Los Angeles rather than travel back to Sacramento before their second-round series against the Clippers.
• Ranadave booked the Kings rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.

After moving to Los Angeles for the playoffs, Wang Yi trained and read Kobe Bryant’s autobiography before a Chinese student, Pan Guoguo, came to his hotel room asking for an autograph. He signed her Clippers jersey for her boyfriend, then watched as she struggled to photograph it.

• The Kings planned to move from the Los Angeles Center Hotel to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills after resting from their triple-overtime game.
• Wang Yi slept in, then trained with James Wells and Danny before eating the meal prepared by his personal nutritionist.
• While waiting for his teammates, Wang Yi read Mamba Mentality: Kobe Bryant's Autobiography in his hotel room.
• Pan Guoguo came to Wang Yi’s room and asked him to sign a Clippers jersey for her boyfriend’s birthday.
• Wang Yi signed the jersey, and Pan Guoguo tried to take a photo of it.

Pan Guoguo and her boyfriend David tried to provoke Wang Yi into an incident that would disrupt his basketball career, but Wang Yi beat them both and made Pan Guoguo delete the staged photo. He returned to his room knowing the attack would bring serious legal and public consequences.

• Wang Yi realized Pan Guoguo had arranged a photo of him holding a signed Clippers jersey and demanded that she delete it and return the jersey.
• Pan Guoguo admitted she needed the incident to secure a green card and tried to leave with the phone and jersey.
• David emerged filming, insulted Wang Yi, and grabbed his arm, so Wang Yi kicked him into a wall.
• Pan Guoguo attacked Wang Yi, and he slapped her, knocking her down and dislodging several teeth.
• Wang Yi kicked David again, knocking him unconscious, then made Pan Guoguo delete the photo before returning to his room.

After Wang Yi beat a man following a confrontation, he prepared for the legal fallout and received support from his teammates and the Kings' owner. Police took him in, accompanied by officers who turned out to be his fans.

• Wang Yi called Luo Lin to arrange bail and a defense lawyer after learning the injured couple had been taken to the hospital.
• Coach Walton and the Kings players rallied around Wang Yi, and the owner, Ranadave, promised to hire a top lawyer and manage the crisis.
• Wang Yi told Ranadave how the man and Pan Guoguo had provoked him, angering his teammates.
• Four police officers arrived, and Wang Yi cooperated as they took him away, leaving the signed Clippers jersey with Coach Walton.
• A young officer revealed she was Wang Yi's fan, and the bald officer privately admitted he was one too.

After Wang Yi was taken to the Los Angeles Police Department, he learned that Luo Lin had arranged for her cousin, lawyer Luo Xiang, to represent him. Wang Yi waited for Luo Xiang while refusing to answer an unidentified man who tried to question him, leaving the man’s identity uncertain.

• The officers told Wang Yi they were his fans but said they still had to investigate the incident properly.
• Luo Lin told Wang Yi she had found him a lawyer, and Luo Xiang called to advise him to stick to the facts and wait for his arrival.
• Wang Yi recounted the incident to Luo Xiang as the police car reached the station.
• The officers placed Wang Yi in a private office instead of a holding cell, and a female officer offered him food and coffee.
• A curly-haired man without a badge or ID tried to question Wang Yi, but Wang refused to speak until the man proved he was a police officer.
• The curly-haired man left to retrieve his identification and did not return, leaving Wang Yi to wonder whether he was a reporter or an associate of the men involved.

Wang Yi’s hotel security footage went viral, prompting Americans to condemn him as a thug while his friends and supporters defended him. The case remained under investigation, and public opinion split sharply between the United States and China.

• Wang Yi’s footage of assaulting a man and a woman spread online, and American netizens dubbed him “Number 0 Thug.”
• Pippen, Pierce, and Smith stayed silent as the incident appeared likely to go to court.
• James called Wang Yi, offered help, and posted that he stood with his brother because he believed him.
• Rich Paul warned James that his public support could bring backlash, and James accepted the risk.
• Shaquille O'Neal, Westbrook, Trae Young, Big Cousin, Taylor Swift, and Daenerys Targaryen also supported Wang Yi and turned off their comments.
• Chinese netizens overwhelmingly backed Wang Yi, pushing the incident and calls to believe in him to the top of TikTok’s trending topics.

After Wang Yi was arrested for assault, celebrities publicly supported him, while James and Nicole showed their loyalty in person. Wang Yi was released on $500,000 bail and left the case in Lawyer Luo’s hands, with a hearing expected within a week.

• Chinese celebrities and internet personalities publicly voiced support for Wang Yi, while Nicole called him from Philadelphia and said she was coming over.
• James visited Wang Yi with a bottle of valuable 1992 Screaming Eagle wine, keeping a promise to drink with him.
• Nicole and Lawyer Luo arrived at the police station, where Lawyer Luo handled Wang Yi’s release on $500,000 bail.
• As Wang Yi left the station, he told Lawyer Luo the matter was not over and asked him to handle what came next.
• Lawyer Luo said he would study California law and predicted the first hearing would take place within a week.
• Wang Yi chose to let Lawyer Luo represent him, and Nicole agreed while resolving to hire another lawyer if needed.

Wang Yi was suspended for one game and fined $1.5 million while the NBA investigated his street assault. Without him, the Kings pushed the Clippers to double overtime before losing, and Wang Yi looked ahead to Game 2.

• Adam Silver told Wang Yi that the NBA had opened an investigation and would suspend him for one game and fine him $1.5 million during the inquiry.
• The NBA announced its preliminary punishment, drawing cheers from some fans and anger from many Clippers supporters.
• Ranadave agreed to let Wang Yi's Chinese lawyer handle the case first.
• With Wang Yi watching from the locker room, the Kings battled the Clippers to a halftime tie as several players hit their three-pointers and TT Thompson returned from injury.
• Hield scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and hit clutch shots to send the game to two overtimes, but Leonard and Reggie Jackson helped the Clippers win by seven.
• The Kings fell behind 0–1 in the series, and Wang Yi anticipated Game 2 two days later.

Wang Yi faced a hostile crowd in the Kings’ game against the Clippers and activated a high-tier Peak Shaquille O'Neal Experience Card. After the Clippers scored twice inside, Wang Yi answered with two extraordinary long-range shots, leaving Staples Center stunned.

• Wang Yi rode with the Kings past crowds calling him a thug, and he vowed to show them what a real Number 0 Thug looked like.
• Wang Yi checked in before the game and received a high-tier Peak Shaquille O'Neal Experience Card, which he activated for 48 minutes.
• Zubac scored an alley-oop for the Clippers, and Wang Yi responded with a made LOGO three despite the crowd’s boos.
• Zubac grabbed an offensive rebound and scored again after George missed a three-pointer.
• Wang Yi launched a shot from the backcourt and sent it through the basket, silencing Staples Center.

Wang Yi stunned the Clippers and the Warriors with a backcourt three, then overpowered Blood Bu and dunked over Zubac. The Clippers were left struggling to understand Wang Yi’s strength as the game continued.

• Wang Yi made a backcourt three after opening with a logo three, leaving the Staples Center crowd and Clippers coach Tyronn Lue stunned.
• The Warriors watched the game together, and Curry, Klay Thompson, and Green discussed how Wang Yi’s range could make defending the Kings difficult.
• Zubac scored a hook shot over Holmes and taunted him after the basket.
• Blood Bu closely guarded Wang Yi, who moved to the right low post and called for Hield to pass him the ball.
• Wang Yi bumped Blood Bu backward, drove into the paint, and dunked over Zubac, who fell to the floor.
• Blood Bu struggled to explain how Wang Yi had moved him so easily, while the Clippers coach questioned why he had failed to defend the play.