The Injury Wave

After the game, the reporter who interviewed the returning AD was, unsurprisingly, a local journalist.

"Hey, Anthony, how did it feel to play your first game back?"

"Mm, it felt great. We played very Thunder-style basketball and got the win. Tonight's game was really important for us. If we'd lost, the team would've been in a very dangerous position. Fortunately, we managed to win in the end."

"So, Anthony, what do you think about the timing of your return? Do you feel it could be the turning point in this series?"

"Uh, I'm grateful to the coaching staff for waiting patiently, and to my teammates for carrying the team forward before I came back, especially Chris. Without him, Oklahoma might already have been eliminated. I think his presence is exactly why the team could afford to wait for my injury to heal. Now I'm back, and I can help him lead this team forward. It couldn't be better. As for anything else, I don't care."

"Okay. After tonight's win, you've tied the series, and next you'll return to New Orleans for the pivotal Game 5. Are you confident? Do you have any special feelings about playing at your former team's home arena?"

"Um... We'll win. As long as Russell and I stay in our usual form, Chris will lead us to victory, just like he's always done."

AD smiled and rubbed his mouth.

"About New Orleans, I'd say I have some wonderful memories there. I had a very sweet time with the fans, and there are still a lot of my fans there. I'm grateful to them. But now we're opponents, so I'll give it everything I've got to beat them. That's what sports are about, isn't it?"

"Hey! This guy's my savior. Now that he's back, I can finally