Chapter Summaries

Chen Xi led the Thunder past the Jazz with 35 points, while Davis added 26 points and 13 rebounds. After the Jazz kept the game close through three quarters, the Thunder pulled away in the fourth and won 121-110.

• Chen Xi disrupted Rubio's fast-break pass, then scored the Thunder's first two baskets on three-pointers.
• The Jazz answered with Gobert's second-chance dunk, but Chen Xi shook Ingles and hit another three.
• Chen Xi scored 18 points in nine first-quarter minutes before the Jazz began double-teaming him and Mitchell led a counterattack.
• Korver hit five three-pointers to help the Jazz keep the margin close through the third quarter.
• Chen Xi and Davis led a fourth-quarter surge that pushed the Thunder's lead to 15 points, prompting Schneider to pull his starters.
• The Thunder won 121-110 as Chen Xi finished with 35 points and Davis recorded 26 points and 13 rebounds.

After losing to the Pelicans, the Thunder suffered another defeat against the Nuggets, while Chen Xi rebounded with a 37-point performance. The losses prompted clickbait criticism of Chen Xi and Anthony Davis, followed by fans arguing online about Chen’s scoring and comparisons to Kobe and LeBron.

• After the Pelicans beat the Thunder, Chen Xi scored 24 points and signed jerseys and took a photo with two Thunder fans.
• On December 14, the Thunder lost to the Nuggets for their second consecutive defeat as Chen Xi scored 37 points and Jokic, Murray, and Aaron Gordon led Denver to a 117–110 win.
• Anthony Davis struggled again, making four of fifteen shots as the Thunder fell into a slump.
• Clickbait accounts criticized Chen Xi’s shot attempts and Davis’s form after the Thunder’s losses.
• Fans argued online over whether Chen Xi was a ball hog and whether comparisons to Kobe and LeBron were justified.

The Thunder beat the Clippers and Kings but lost to the Bulls as Davis struggled with his mid-range shooting. Westbrook returned against the Jazz, where he and Davis both scored well as Chen Xi continued sharing the ball to help his teammates regain their form.

• Chen Xi scored 42 points and had 10 assists as the Thunder easily defeated Griffin's Clippers.
• Chen Xi scored 35 points and had 11 assists, but Odie's Bulls beat the Thunder 115–109 while Davis struggled.
• Chen Xi set Davis up against the Kings, and Davis scored 29 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the Thunder's 109–99 win.
• Westbrook returned from a month-long absence against the Jazz and recorded 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists.
• Chen Xi scored 25 points and Davis added 26 points and 14 rebounds as the Thunder played the Jazz with Westbrook back in the lineup.

The Thunder's Big Three reunited to beat the Jazz, then faced the Timberwolves at home on December 23. Westbrook and Chen Xi clicked on offense, but the chapter ended with Anthony Davis missing his first shot against Minnesota.

• The Thunder's Big Three played steadily and beat the Jazz, briefly quieting their critics.
• The Thunder returned home to face the Timberwolves on the second night of a back-to-back.
• Westbrook opened the game with a dunk over Towns, then assisted Chen Xi on a fast-break three.
• Towns missed a three, and Westbrook grabbed the rebound before setting up Anthony Davis in the post.
• Anthony Davis spun around Gibson and missed a short jumper.

The Thunder crushed the Timberwolves 121-99 as Davis dominated inside and Wiggins's hot shooting could not keep Minnesota competitive. Before the Thunder's road game against the Rockets, Chen Xi met Yao Ming, who invited him to dinner after the game.

• Wiggins scored repeatedly, but Davis's post offense and the Thunder's off-ball cuts overwhelmed the Timberwolves' defense.
• The Thunder led by 23 points after three quarters, and Minnesota conceded before losing 121-99.
• Davis finished with 35 points and 14 rebounds, Chen Xi scored 26 points, and Westbrook recorded 21 points and 13 assists.
• The Thunder traveled to Houston on December 25 for a matchup against James Harden and the Rockets, with second place in the West at stake.
• Chen Xi saw Yao Ming during pregame warmups and spoke with him after Yao greeted him.
• Yao invited Chen Xi to dinner after the game, and Chen sat down instead of continuing his warmup.

Chen Xi considered the Basketball Association’s likely reasons for approaching him and resolved to focus on the Rockets–Thunder game before deciding how to handle his nationality and public image. Harden opened the game with a mid-range jumper, and Capela blocked Westbrook’s attempted dunk at the rim.

• Chen Xi reasoned that the Basketball Association wanted him for the upcoming international competitions and weighed the risks of negotiations over returning to Chinese nationality.
• Chen Xi set aside his thoughts as the game began.
• Harden isolated against Chen Xi and scored a mid-range jumper after a crossover and step-back.
• Westbrook drove past Paul and tried to dunk over Capela, but Capela blocked him at the rim.

The Thunder and Rockets traded baskets in a fast-paced first quarter, with Chen Xi helping Westbrook create inside and James Harden scoring at a remarkable rate. The Thunder entered the break trailing 34–37, and after both teams’ benches struggled to shoot, Paul helped the Rockets find their rhythm again by attacking inside.

• Westbrook drew a defensive foul on Capela, made one free throw, and opened the scoring at 1–2.
• Harden scored a three, while Westbrook drove past House and passed to McGee for a layup.
• Harden drew a foul on Davis and made both free throws, then Chen Xi drove past Harden and Tucker to score with an underhand finger roll.
• Harden scored 23 points on 8-for-10 shooting in the first quarter as the Rockets took a 37–34 lead over the Thunder.
• Both teams’ bench players struggled to score until Paul used pick-and-rolls with Nene and helped set up an alley-oop for Gerald Green to spark the Rockets’ offense.

Chen Xi and James Harden traded baskets in a high-scoring first half, with the Rockets leading the Thunder 71–69 at halftime. Harden opened the second half with consecutive threes, while Westbrook struggled with his outside shooting.

• Alexander increased his individual offense, helping the Thunder stay close before Chen Xi and Harden returned to the court.
• Chen Xi and Harden traded mid-range shots, threes, and drives as both took charge of their teams' scoring.
• The Rockets led 71–69 at halftime, with Harden scoring 33 points and Chen Xi scoring 23.
• The commentators discussed the players' scoring performances, records, and Chen Xi's unselfish style of play.
• Harden made two consecutive threes after halftime and shifted toward attacking off screens to conserve energy.
• Westbrook took over the Thunder's offense but missed repeatedly from outside and relied on scoring in the paint with Brow.

The Thunder fought to catch the Rockets, with Chen Xi scoring and Anthony Davis protecting the rim, but James Harden’s hot shooting and the Rockets’ role players kept the lead out of reach. After Donovan called for more pressure on Harden, the Rockets still found openings and Paul scored a floater, leaving the Thunder nine points behind.

• The Thunder shifted their offense toward Chen Xi’s perimeter shooting and finished the third quarter trailing the Rockets 95-99.
• The teams traded paint attacks until Harden and Chen Xi returned as their sides’ offensive leaders in the final six minutes.
• Chen Xi broke past PJ Tucker for a two-point shot, and Anthony Davis blocked Capela at the rim.
• Harden made a three, then hit an ultra-long three after Westbrook missed, stretching the Rockets’ lead to eleven and prompting Donovan to call timeout.
• Chen Xi answered with a three and a fadeaway, but Tucker and Paul scored against the Thunder’s traps on Harden.
• Paul drove into the paint and scored a floater, keeping the Rockets nine points ahead.

The Rockets defeated the Thunder 129–121 despite Chen Xi scoring 43 points against James Harden’s 52. After the game, Yao met Chen for dinner and asked him to consider playing for China’s national team, but they left the citizenship, family-history, and scheduling concerns unresolved.

• James Harden led the Rockets to a 129–121 win over the Thunder, while Chen Xi scored 43 points in the loss.
• Chen Xi met Yao in his van after the game, and they talked about their careers on the way to dinner.
• Yao asked Chen Xi whether he would consider playing for China’s national team.
• Chen Xi raised concerns about his citizenship, his grandfather’s history, and the strain of adding international games to his NBA schedule.
• Yao said he would bring Chen Xi’s concerns back for discussion, and they ended the meeting without reaching a decision.

Chen Xi led the Thunder to a blowout win over the Suns and two victories over the Mavericks, then returned to Dallas for New Year's before preparing to face the Lakers. The chapter left the Thunder warming up at Staples Center for a matchup against LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

• Chen Xi flew to Phoenix with the Thunder and scored 45 points as they beat the Suns 125–102.
• Chen Xi promoted All-Star voting for himself, Westbrook, and Davis after voting began on December 26.
• The Thunder defeated the Mavericks 109–98 on the road and 122–101 at home, with Chen Xi scoring 25 and 37 points.
• Chen Xi returned to Dallas on New Year's Day, spent time with the old man, and arranged to ship food to Oklahoma City before flying to Los Angeles.
• Chen Xi warmed up at Staples Center as the Thunder prepared to face the Lakers, led by LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

Chen Xi and the Thunder opened their game against the Lakers with a blistering offensive run, while Kobe Bryant watched from courtside. The Thunder led 10–4 after Chen Xi assisted Westbrook on a fast-break dunk.

• Kobe Bryant arrived with his family and received cheers from the Lakers crowd before the game began.
• Chen Xi drove past Lonzo Ball and scored a difficult opening layup, then beat Ivica Zubac for a three-pointer.
• LeBron James answered with a driving layup, and Carmelo Anthony scored in the post as the Lakers tried to keep pace.
• Anthony Davis blocked Zubac's floater, Grant recovered the ball, and Westbrook finished the ensuing fast break with a tomahawk dunk.
• McGee made one of two free throws after Zubac fouled him, then Chen Xi grabbed a rebound and threw a long pass for Westbrook to dunk.

Chen Xi erupted for 27 points in the first quarter and continued scoring as the Thunder built a 16-point halftime lead over the Lakers. The chapter ended with commentators noting he was on pace for another record while the Lakers struggled to keep up.

• Westbrook opened the game with two dunks before Walton called a timeout with the Lakers trailing.
• James scored a runner, but Chen Xi answered with a three after the Thunder ran screens for him.
• Chen Xi scored 27 points in eight and a half minutes, helping the Thunder take a 45–28 lead after the first quarter.
• Davis repeatedly scored inside as the Lakers tried to make up ground, while Chen Xi returned with the rotation lineup and kept the Thunder's offense steady.
• James and the Lakers' younger players helped make the second quarter competitive, but the Thunder still led 73–57 at halftime.
• Commentators discussed Chen Xi's 39 first-half points and his chance to set another record.

The Lakers mounted an offensive comeback against the Thunder, with James, Anthony, Ingram, and Ball scoring to cut the deficit to ten. Chen Xi and the Thunder answered, but the Lakers continued scoring as the game remained within reach.

• James opened the second half with a three-pointer, and Chen Xi answered with a three of his own.
• Anthony hit a three-pointer, Ingram finished James's fast break with a dunk, and Brow scored a floater for the Thunder.
• James made a fadeaway jumper, Westbrook scored at the rim, and Ball sank a transition three to cut the Lakers' deficit to ten.
• Donovan called a timeout and replaced Grant with Jeff Green to slow the Lakers' momentum.
• Chen Xi drove past Ingram for a layup, and Anthony answered with an underhand layup to keep the Lakers' comeback going.

Chen Xi scored a career-high 56 points as the Thunder beat the Lakers 133–114, then met Kobe after the game and began building a closer relationship with him. The chapter left Chen Xi determined to earn Kobe’s trust so he could try to prevent a future tragedy.

• The Thunder regained control in the Fourth Quarter, with Alexander and Chen Xi extending their lead after the Lakers made several early mistakes.
• Chen Xi hit a Chasedown Three-pointer, and the Thunder closed out a 133–114 win over the Lakers.
• Chen Xi finished with 56 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while James scored 35 points and Anthony added 26 for the Lakers.
• After the game, Chen Xi greeted the Lakers’ young players and went to meet Kobe, who praised his performance and work ethic.
• Chen Xi chatted with Kobe and resolved to build his trust so he could try to prevent the coming tragedy.

After the Thunder beat the Trail Blazers, the first-round All-Star voting results revealed a tight race among Western Conference guards, with Chen Xi in fourth place. The chapter leaves the voting contest underway, with Derrick Rose surprisingly ahead of Chen Xi and Russell Westbrook.

• After speaking with Kobe at Staples Center, Chen Xi told a reporter that his 56-point performance was a tribute to the Lakers, Kobe, and James.
• On January 4, the Thunder beat the Trail Blazers 112–103, led by Chen Xi, Westbrook, and Davis.
• That night, James Harden hit the overtime game-winner as the Rockets completed a 20-point comeback to beat the Warriors 135–134.
• The first-round All-Star voting results showed LeBron James leading the overall vote, while Kyrie Irving and Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Eastern Conference positions.
• In the Western Conference guard voting, Stephen Curry led, followed by Derrick Rose, James Harden, Chen Xi, and Russell Westbrook.

The Thunder Team beat the Wizards and Timberwolves before traveling to face the Spurs. Before their important matchup, Kawhi announced he would miss both games, and reports revealed a serious conflict in the Spurs locker room.

• The Thunder Team comfortably defeated the Wizards as Westbrook, Chen Xi, and Davis led the scoring, then Chen Xi spoke with the injured Wall after the game.
• The Thunder Team beat the Timberwolves despite Wiggins scoring 40 points, with Davis and Chen Xi leading the offense and Westbrook recording a triple-double.
• The Thunder Team traveled to San Antonio for two consecutive games against the Spurs, who were struggling to keep pace in the Western Conference.
• Kawhi announced he would miss both games, and media reports said an argument had broken out among Spurs players before the game began.

The Thunder faced the Spurs as LaMarcus Aldridge caught fire, while Anthony Davis injured his ankle after finishing an alley-oop. Chen Xi blamed himself and lost focus, and the Thunder began to collapse in the first quarter.

• Russell Westbrook and Tony Parker opened the scoring, and Aldridge added two jumpers to give the Spurs an early offensive rhythm.
• Chen Xi beat Derrick White for a mid-range jumper, then passed to Davis for an alley-oop dunk.
• Davis landed awkwardly and injured his ankle, forcing a timeout before staff helped him to the locker room for tests.
• Donovan and Westbrook reassured Chen Xi that the injury was an accident, but Chen Xi remained troubled by memories of Roberson's past injury.
• Chen Xi lost focus while Aldridge kept scoring against the Davis-less Thunder, and the team showed signs of collapsing in the first quarter.

Chen Xi shook off his sluggish start and helped the Thunder cut into the Spurs' lead before both teams settled into a close contest. At halftime, the team learned Davis had no structural ankle damage but would miss the rest of the game and at least a week.

• Chen Xi scored against Cunningham, then passed out of a double-team to set up Carter's three-pointer and spark the Thunder's comeback.
• Popovich brought Aldridge and White back early, and the teams traded baskets until the Thunder trailed 58–67 at halftime.
• The team doctor told the Thunder that Davis's X-rays showed no structural damage, but he needed an MRI and would be sidelined for at least a week.
• Chen Xi, Carter, and Westbrook teased Davis and discussed being careful when landing after dunks, lifting the locker room's mood.

The Thunder overcame the Spurs in a 131–125 comeback win, led by Chen Xi and Westbrook while Aldridge scored a career-high 54 points. After Davis was ruled out for about two more weeks, the teams met again in Oklahoma, where the Spurs’ offense cooled and Belinelli’s strong bench performance could not secure a win.

• Westbrook and Chen Xi sparked an eight-point Thunder run that forced Popovich to call a timeout.
• The Thunder rallied as their supporting players hit threes, cutting the Spurs’ lead to four by the end of the third quarter.
• Chen Xi returned in the fourth quarter, and the Thunder took the lead before beating the Spurs 131–125.
• Chen Xi scored 25 points and Westbrook added 26 as the Thunder won without the injured Davis, while Aldridge scored 54 in the loss.
• The Thunder announced Davis would miss about two more weeks to recover from his injury.
• On January 12, the Spurs visited the Thunder again, and Belinelli scored 24 points off the bench as his team struggled to keep pace.