It was a play steeped in individual heroics.
Had it gone in, it might have earned a place in his career highlight reel.
Unfortunately, it missed. It did not even touch the rim...
With his explosive leap and sharp judgment, Chen Xi reacted instantly.
The moment Reggie gathered the ball for a jump stop, Chen Xi pulled his hand back, then quickly turned, stepped into his jump, and sprang off the floor, getting airborne ahead of him.
All he had to do then was extend his hand and wait for his opponent to "deliver" the ball to him.
One block, safely in the bag.
He grabbed the ball just as it left Reggie's fingers and tucked it against his chest.
That outrageous behind-the-head snatch block sent the courtside fans into another frenzy and dealt a further blow to the Nuggets Team's morale.
Jokic, who had just lumbered into the frontcourt, covered his head helplessly at the sight before spreading his hands toward Reggie.
"What are you doing?!"
Worse still, he did not even have time to complain any further before he had to turn and get back on defense.
The Knicks' next fast break was already coming.
After securing the ball off the block, Chen Xi immediately put it on the floor, turned, and launched the break.
He took a diagonal route, accelerating all the way into the frontcourt.
With Watson and Jokic converging on him, Chen Xi plunged into the paint, briefly slowed, then stepped toward the right corner and looped back out.
A slick Professor Behind-the-Back Dribble on the move fooled Watson. Chen Xi immediately turned back and charged into the paint again, then gathered for a Two-Foot Jump. After gliding briefly through the air, he double-clutched and finished a reverse layup.
A beautiful move to beat the