In that situation, naturally, the Thunder had no chance of losing.
When the game was over, Oklahoma had comfortably beaten Houston 116–101, ending their losing streak.
It also quieted some of the online chatter claiming, "Without Chen Xi, the Thunder are a lottery team."
Westbrook put up 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists, while also "carrying" AD to a 28-and-14 performance, once again proving to the fans that he still had plenty left in the tank.
After wrapping up the game against the Rockets, it was finally time for Chen's return!
On February 9, the Thunder had their full roster back together. They calmly took the court at home, ready to face the Pacers from the Eastern Conference.
The clock soon reached 6:30 in the evening.
A week after his last game, Chen Xi once again emerged from the players' tunnel wearing the Thunder's home jersey.
The cheers in the arena instantly reached a fever pitch.
The popularity of the All-Star vote leader was plain to see.
Whenever Chen took the court, tickets were practically impossible to come by.
Besides the fans who had bought season tickets long ago, the arena was packed with countless die-hard supporters who had traveled all the way to the small city of Oklahoma just to watch Chen play.
Chen Xi naturally showed these fans a great deal of respect.
Photos, autographs, and interactions—he did it all.
But all of that would have to wait until after the game.
During the game, the court had to come first~~
Not long after, the game officially began.
Pacers starters: Darius Garland, Justin Holiday, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Smith, Myles Turner
Thunder starters: Westbrook, Chen Xi, Green, Davis, Little Jordan
Turner won the opening tip, and the Pacers immediately went on the attack.
Garland brought the ball up