Tonight's game was a momentous occasion, whether for the fans in Oklahoma City, the Thunder, or Chen.
For the first time, Chen Xi had returned to this arena as a member of the visiting team.
But he had only left a few months ago. Everything he saw was still familiar: the same scenes, the same faces.
After the home team's starters were introduced one by one by the arena DJ, a ten-minute tribute video played on the giant screen above the court.
It opened with a highlight reel of Chen Xi in a Thunder jersey, followed by interviews with Oklahoma fans. Finally, the players who had stayed behind in Oklahoma City shared their thoughts and well wishes for Chen Xi.
The video gradually shifted from an energetic start to an emotional finish...
Meanwhile, Chen Xi sat on the visiting team's bench in a New York Knicks jersey, calmly staring at the screen without blinking as he watched the entire video.
Only after the video ended with a message recorded especially for him by Westbrook did Chen Xi rise to his feet and slowly walk onto the court under the arena lights.
As he walked, he slowly raised his right hand to his chest. After a moment, he clenched it into a fist and lifted it high.
The fans responded with thunderous cheers that had lost none of their fervor.
As the cheers grew louder and louder, Chen Xi lowered his right fist, then brought it to his ear.
That iconic "listening" gesture, met with the visiting team's fans' affection, created a sight rarely seen in the League.
It was a moment many players might never witness in their entire careers.
"Welcome, viewers, to our broadcast! You're watching the NBA game between the Oklahoma Thunder and the New York Knicks,