Chapter Summaries

The Thunder lost consecutive games to the Hawks and Lakers without Anthony Davis, prompting criticism of Chen Xi and Westbrook as stat-padders. Chen Xi ignored the backlash and focused on celebrating Cai Xukun’s appointment as ambassador for the NBA Chinese New Year game.

• The Hawks beat the Thunder 133–121 as Trae Young and Kevin Huerter led a strong team performance against a depleted Thunder defense.
• LeBron James, JaVale McGee, and Kyle Kuzma powered the Lakers to a 136–128 win despite Chen Xi scoring 50 points, giving the Thunder their second straight loss.
• The media attacked Chen Xi and Westbrook, and Joel Embiid made comments that appeared to mock their supposed stat-padding before denying he meant them.
• Westbrook increased his training ahead of the Thunder’s game against the 76ers, while Chen Xi paid little attention to the criticism.
• Chen Xi saw that Cai Xukun had been appointed ambassador for the NBA Chinese New Year game and enthusiastically defended and celebrated his idol online.

The Thunder and 76ers opened their game at Philadelphia, where Chen Xi scored repeatedly and helped build an early lead. After a physical foul and a brief argument, he stayed hot and capped a rapid counterattack with a deep three.

• Chen Xi scored a floater over Redick, and Simmons answered with a jumper that bounced into the net.
• Embiid fouled Westbrook hard on a drive; Chen Xi checked on Westbrook and confronted Embiid before Westbrook made both free throws.
• Redick hit a three, then Chen Xi beat him to the basket for a layup and drew an offensive foul on Simmons with a moving screen.
• Chen Xi scored a mid-range jumper to put the Thunder ahead 8–5, bringing his total to six points on three shots.
• After Embiid missed a fadeaway and Westbrook secured the rebound, Chen Xi raced downcourt and sank a deep three off Westbrook's pass.

Chris Chen's perfect shooting forced the Philadelphia 76ers to call a timeout, but their focus on defending him opened chances for Westbrook to score. The Thunder extended their lead as Westbrook took over the offense in the first quarter.

• Westbrook blocked Embiid's dunk attempt, and Embiid made both free throws after the foul.
• Chris Chen scored his fifth straight basket, a three-pointer that gave him 12 points and prompted Brett Brown to call a timeout.
• After play resumed, Simmons found Chandler for a layup, and Westbrook answered with a mid-range jumper to make it 16-9.
• The 76ers concentrated their defense on Chris Chen, leaving Westbrook room to attack.
• Westbrook scored against Simmons, Redick, and Shamet in isolation, sustaining the Thunder's offense.

Chen Xi and Westbrook overwhelmed the Philadelphia 76ers with a high-scoring performance, leading the Thunder to a 129–100 victory. The Thunder left Philadelphia with a 29-point win, while Chen Xi and Westbrook finished with 37 and 39 points respectively.

• Chen Xi and Westbrook combined for 37 points in the first quarter as the Thunder took a 41–23 lead over the 76ers.
• Chen Xi left Simmons open, then answered Simmons’s made three with a deep logo shot that prompted Brown to call timeout.
• Brown brought Embiid back, but the Thunder kept building their lead and went into halftime ahead 77–51.
• Alexander scored 12 points in the third quarter as the Thunder extended their lead to 104–77.
• Brown replaced the 76ers’ starters with the bench early in the fourth quarter, and the Thunder won 129–100.
• Chen Xi finished with 37 points, while Westbrook recorded 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.

The Thunder picked up wins over the Knicks and Trail Blazers but were swept by the Pelicans, while Chen Xi traded barbs with Embiid after their Philadelphia game. The All-Star starters were announced without any Thunder players, and the chapter ended as the Thunder prepared to face the league-leading Bucks.

• After the Thunder beat the 76ers, Chen Xi watched Embiid's interview and mocked his claims about not caring about stats.
• Chen Xi and Westbrook led the Thunder to easy wins over the Knicks and a 122–118 victory over the Trail Blazers.
• The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 117–109, completing a season sweep, and Chen Xi wrote Butler's name in his notebook for the third time.
• The All-Star starters were announced without any Thunder players, while Oladipo made the Eastern Conference lineup and Chen Xi congratulated him.
• The Thunder hosted the 39–9 Bucks, whose Giannis Antetokounmpo led the MVP rankings, with Head Coach Budenholzer guiding the team.

The Bucks and Thunder opened their game with both teams attacking the paint, while Chen Xi scored against the Bucks’ defense and defended McGee after Giannis taunted him. Chen Xi’s three-pointer put the Thunder back on the board as the game continued.

• Westbrook missed a contested layup against Brook Lopez, and Giannis grabbed the rebound before finishing a fast-break dunk over McGee.
• Chen Xi used a crossover and a change of pace to get past Brogdon and score a mid-range jumper.
• Giannis drove through the Thunder defense for a poster dunk, then roared at McGee.
• Chen Xi shoved Giannis to defend McGee and received a technical foul; Brogdon made the free throw to give the Bucks a 5–2 lead.
• Chen Xi came off Collins’s screen and hit a three-pointer before turning to run back on defense.

Chen Xi exploited the Bucks' mid-range defensive gap to lead the Thunder's bench back into the game, while Giannis powered Milwaukee's offense. The Thunder tied the score, but Buden remained confident that the Bucks' defensive adjustment was working.

• Giannis led the Bucks to an eight-point first-quarter lead as Chen Xi scored 13 points and Westbrook struggled.
• Donovan brought Jeff Green off the bench to improve spacing, but the Thunder still had trouble containing Giannis.
• Chen Xi scored twice from the mid-range, then forced Sterling Brown into a turnover as the Thunder began cutting into the deficit.
• Alexander scored on a mid-range jumper after following Chen Xi's pick-and-roll approach, prompting Buden to call a timeout and bring Giannis back.
• Chen Xi drew Giannis into the air and delivered a lob to Noel for a dunk that tied the game, while Buden believed Giannis's help defense had forced Chen Xi to change his approach.

Chen Xi’s mid-range shooting kept the Thunder close against the Bucks, and the Thunder took a narrow lead after three quarters. As the Fourth Quarter began, the Bucks’ outside shooting faltered and the Thunder found chances to run the fast break.

• Chen Xi scored 30 points by halftime as the Thunder trailed the Bucks 62–64, while Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
• Chen Xi met two fans from China during halftime, took photos with them, and asked Westbrook to sign a jersey for them.
• The Bucks opened the Third Quarter with perimeter threes, while Chen Xi kept scoring from mid-range and Westbrook, Carter, and Jerebko added shots for the Thunder.
• The Thunder led the Bucks 90–89 after three quarters.
• George Hill missed two outside shots early in the Fourth Quarter, giving the Thunder opportunities to run the fast break.

Chen Xi and the Thunder battled the Bucks through a tense final minute, with missed shots and Middleton’s three putting the Bucks ahead. With the Thunder down two and one second left, Chen Xi beat Giannis off the dribble and hit the game-winning three, then celebrated atop the scorer’s table.

• Giannis repeatedly attacked the rim in transition and on pick-and-roll plays as the Bucks erased the Thunder’s lead.
• Middleton hit a three with forty seconds remaining to put the Bucks ahead, and Westbrook missed a three on the Thunder’s next possession.
• Brogdon made one free throw after Chen Xi fouled him, and Chen Xi secured the rebound with the Thunder trailing by two.
• Chen Xi used a crossover and a Bait Buddha to create space against Giannis, then hit a three at the buzzer to win the game.
• Chen Xi sprinted to the scorer’s table, jumped onto it, and recreated Wade’s iconic celebration.

Chen Xi led the Thunder to a one-point win over the Bucks with a 44-point game-winner, then helped them beat the Magic after Anthony Davis returned. He completed a career milestone of 5,000 points and used the system rewards to improve his rebounding and earn a stealing badge.

• Chen Xi hit the game-winning shot as the Thunder narrowly defeated the Bucks 117–116, finishing with 44 points.
• Chen Xi told reporters he had trusted his teammates and explained that he stood up for JaVale after Giannis yelled at him.
• Anthony Davis returned against the Magic on January 29 and scored 33 points as the Thunder earned an easy road win.
• Chen Xi completed the system achievement for exceeding 5,000 career points and received 10 free attribute points and a silver badge.
• Chen Xi assigned all 10 attribute points to rebounding and selected the Master of Stealing from Ball Handler badge.

The Thunder earned three All-Star reserve selections and defeated the Heat in Miami, where Chen Xi exchanged jerseys with Dwyane Wade. The team then traveled to Boston, where they faced a Celtics squad struggling with locker-room conflict.

• The NBA named Russell Westbrook, Chen Xi, and Anthony Davis among the Western Conference All-Star reserves, while Adam Silver added Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade to the rosters.
• The Thunder dominated the Heat and won 119–103, with Brow overpowering Miami’s big men and Westbrook and Chen Xi controlling the perimeter.
• Wade exchanged jerseys with Chen Xi after the game, and Chen Xi and Westbrook later visited Wade at his beachfront mansion.
• The Thunder returned to the road and arrived in Boston to prepare for their February 4 game against the Celtics, whose internal conflicts had grown despite Irving’s return.

The Celtics’ growing rift between Kyrie Irving and young players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown contributed to their struggles, while Irving’s uncertain commitment raised doubts about his future in Boston. The Thunder beat the Celtics 123–109 as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to develop into a key part of their system, which Donovan had spent the season refining.

• Irving grew angry when the Celtics’ final shot against Orlando went to Tatum, then blamed the team’s struggles on the young players’ inexperience.
• Brown rejected Irving’s blame after another loss, and Irving later said reporters should ask him about his 2018 re-signing promise on July 1.
• The Celtics’ internal tension accompanied a slide to fourth in the Eastern Conference as the team tried to balance Irving’s leadership with Tatum and Brown’s importance.
• The Thunder defeated the Celtics 123–109, with Chen Xi scoring 36 points, Davis scoring 29, and Irving leading Boston with 30 points and 10 assists.
• Alexander scored 16 points and showed growing skill as a playmaker and scorer, while Donovan reflected on how injuries and Alexander’s development had shaped the Thunder’s system.

Donovan assessed the Thunder’s improved bench and considered resting Davis after the All-Star break while giving Chen Xi and Alexander more opportunities. The Thunder won two games comfortably before beginning a full-lineup matchup against the Rockets in Houston.

• Donovan recognized Alexander’s ability to lead the second unit and weighed load management for Davis and Westbrook while developing younger players.
• On February 5, Chen Xi scored 39 points and Davis and Westbrook also excelled as the Thunder beat the Magic 120–97.
• On February 7, Chen Xi scored 36 points as the Thunder defeated the Grizzlies 119–101.
• On February 9, Harden opened the Rockets game with a step-back three after the Thunder stopped Houston’s pick-and-roll.
• Westbrook and Davis answered with a pick-and-roll that ended in Davis making a mid-range jumper.

The Thunder and Rockets traded efficient attacks in a high-scoring first quarter, with Chen Xi and Davis helping Oklahoma City take a 36–33 lead. The second quarter began with Chen Xi carrying the Thunder against a Rockets lineup led by Paul.

• Westbrook pushed the pace and assisted Chen Xi on a fast-break dunk, then Davis launched a long pass that led to Chen Xi's fadeaway jumper.
• Harden and Tucker missed early shots, while Westbrook's defense helped force Faried into a missed layup and McGee secured the rebound.
• Westbrook drove past Harden for a two-handed dunk, prompting D'Antoni to call a timeout and urge the Rockets to improve their transition defense.
• Harden set up Faried for a dunk, and Tucker later hit a corner three to tie the game at 8–8.
• Davis scored inside as the Thunder held a 36–33 lead at the end of the first quarter; Chen Xi opened the second quarter against Gordon with Paul leading the Rockets.

The Thunder defeated the Rockets 131–120 after Harden’s scoring cooled in the second half and Chen Xi and Davis helped contain Houston. Later, the Thunder narrowly beat the Trail Blazers when Westbrook scored the winning layup with three seconds left.

• Chen Xi used a series of moves to score against Gordon as the Thunder and Rockets traded baskets.
• Harden scored 19 points in the second quarter, giving the Rockets a 68–64 halftime lead.
• Harden’s shooting declined after halftime, and the Thunder outscored the Rockets 34–20 in the third quarter.
• Chen Xi and Davis helped limit the Rockets as the Thunder won 131–120.
• The Trail Blazers exploited weaknesses in the Thunder’s perimeter defense, keeping the game tied at 118 with 18 seconds remaining.
• Westbrook drove to the basket and made a layup with three seconds left, giving the Thunder a narrow win over the Trail Blazers.

The Thunder faced the Pelicans at full strength in New Orleans and used their Spanish pick-and-roll and fast breaks to build an early lead. Chen Xi took over at the start of the second quarter, scoring 13 straight points as the Thunder pulled further ahead.

• The Thunder opened the game with a Spanish pick-and-roll, with Westbrook assisting Brow for a basket and Chen Xi later scoring a three-pointer.
• Westbrook, Chen Xi, and Grant finished a fast break to give the Thunder a 7–2 lead.
• Davis and McGee stopped the Pelicans' next attacks, while Little Sabonis scored inside to keep New Orleans in the game.
• The Thunder's bench gained ground against the Pelicans' reserves, ending the first quarter ahead 35–30.
• Chen Xi scored 13 consecutive points in four minutes at the start of the second quarter, widening the Thunder's lead.

Chen Xi met Sophia and Talan, then joined them to explore Charlotte before competing in the Skills Challenge at the All-Star festivities. He beat Doncic with a long-range shot and advanced, while Fox moved on after Mayor Yang missed his deep shot.

• Chen Xi learned about Sophia and Talan’s backgrounds, walked them back to their hotel, and arranged to explore Charlotte with them the next day.
• Chen Xi canceled his plans with LeBron, explored the NASCAR Hall of Fame with Sophia and Talan, and went to Spectrum Center Arena for the All-Star events.
• Chen Xi joined the Skills Challenge alongside Doncic, Jokic, Tatum, and the other contestants.
• Jokic defeated Vucevic, and Conley lost to Tatum after missing his three-pointer.
• Chen Xi beat Doncic by making a deep shot before Doncic reached the shooting stage, then reminded him about their popcorn bet.
• Mayor Yang missed his deep shot against Fox, who made his second attempt and advanced.

Chen Xi won the All-Star Skills Challenge after making a long three against Tatum, then claimed system rewards and watched Joe Harris win the Three-Point Contest and Hamidou Diallo take the Slam Dunk Contest. After All-Star Weekend’s second night ended, Chen Xi skipped a party and went to meet two Russian women.

• Teacher Jokic lost to Tatum, and Chen Xi beat Fox by sinking a three-point shot.
• Chen Xi and Tatum each made a long three from before midcourt, but Chen Xi won the Skills Challenge.
• Chen Xi collected a Silver Tear Dropper badge and upgraded Aggressive Drive to Silver.
• Joe Harris won the Three-Point Contest, while Hamidou Diallo won the Slam Dunk Contest.
• Chen Xi turned down a party invitation and left to meet the two Russian women.

Chen Xi and Talan grew closer during their time together in Charlotte, while Sophia teased them about their feelings. The next evening, Chen Xi rejoined Team James for the All-Star Game as the two teams prepared to take the court.

• Sophia teased Chen Xi and Talan about their mutual feelings before leaving them alone at the hotel.
• Chen Xi and Talan walked through Charlotte, held hands, and shared a reluctant goodbye outside the hotel.
• The next day, Chen Xi and Talan ditched Sophia to spend more time together around downtown Charlotte.
• Harden and Beal teased Chen Xi when he arrived at the locker room with Talan and Sophia.
• Team James and Team The Greek Freak assembled for the All-Star Game.

Chen Xi took it easy during the All-Star Game, then spent his break with Talan in New York and Oklahoma City. After they made their relationship official, Chen Xi cooked for Talan and suggested she move in with him.

• Chen Xi made brief appearances in the All-Star Game, recording 15 points and six assists as Team James beat Team Giannis 178–164, and Durant won MVP.
• Chen Xi and Talan saw Sophia off at the airport, then flew to New York, where they spent two days sightseeing and made their relationship official.
• On February 22, Chen Xi brought Talan to his home in Oklahoma City and cooked her Guo Bao Rou, Corn Pancake, Braised Pork Slices, and borscht.
• Talan lamented that she had to return to work in two days, and Chen Xi suggested she move to Oklahoma City and focus on her YouTube account.