Chapter Summaries

Chen Xi made two clutch free throws to seal the Thunder’s win over the Rockets, extending their road streak to 29 games. Afterward, the exhausted Chen sat out the next game against the Nets for calf recovery, leaving the Thunder’s pursuit of a 30th straight win uncertain.

• Chen Xi made both free throws, and Irving’s final shot missed as the Thunder beat the Rockets for their 29th consecutive road win.
• Chen Xi and Westbrook posted 64 points and a triple-double respectively, and Donovan praised the team’s late defense and record streak in the locker room.
• The Thunder traveled to Brooklyn, and the team announced that Chen Xi would miss the Nets game because of calf muscle fatigue and soreness.
• Chen Xi visited the Nets’ arena in a Kawhi jersey while sitting out, and Donovan told reporters that Chen needed time to recover.
• A reporter asked Donovan whether the Thunder would risk losing to the Nets with both Chen Xi and Anthony Davis unavailable, despite being one win from their 30th straight victory.

After the Thunder’s historic winning streak ended, Donovan rested key players as injuries mounted, and the team suffered several more losses while remaining atop the standings. As the pandemic worsened, Chen Xi limited contact with others, expanded medical-supply production, and donated equipment and protective gear to Jiangcheng.

• The Thunder lost 110–121 to the Nets, ending their 30-game winning streak, while Westbrook, Durant, and Paul George posted strong numbers.
• Donovan decided to rest players to reduce injury risks, and the Thunder lost 99–117 to the Heat with Westbrook, Chen Xi, and Little Gasol out.
• Chen Xi returned against the 76ers and led the Thunder to a 117–106 win, while Alexander added 26 points.
• The Thunder lost 121–126 to the Nuggets despite Chen Xi’s 41 points, as Jokic and Murray’s play overwhelmed the team without Brow.
• As the pandemic worsened, Chen Xi began wearing a mask and limiting contact, while his factories increased medical-supply production and he donated equipment and supplies to Jiangcheng.

Chen Xi supported relief efforts in China and Oklahoma City before the All-Star voting results named him the West’s top vote-getter and the overall leader. After a brief Thunder celebration, he took nearly a week off following the team’s game against the Wizards and returned to Oklahoma City alone.

• Chen Xi’s foundation began preparing relief efforts in Oklahoma City, and players and team owners donated, including Westbrook, Davis, Tracy McGrady, Marbury, and the Rockets’ owner.
• Chinese fans praised Chen Xi’s response to the disaster while some critics questioned his motives, and other netizens defended him.
• Chen Xi turned back to work as the final All-Star voting results were announced on January 21, making him the overall vote leader and a Western Conference starter.
• The Thunder celebrated Chen Xi and the other two members of its core trio making the All-Star team.
• After the Thunder’s January 23 road game against the Wizards, Chen Xi requested nearly a week off and returned to Oklahoma City by himself.

Chen Xi celebrated New Year's Eve with his grandfather, Talan, Kobe Bryant, Vanessa, and their children, inviting Kobe to Oklahoma City to keep him away from a future helicopter accident. The next morning, Chen Xi woke beside Talan and learned Kobe had gone outside to visit his love.

• Chen Xi helped his grandfather prepare the New Year's Eve altar, decorations, and a large holiday dinner while Talan cleaned the house.
• Kobe Bryant arrived with Vanessa and their children after Chen Xi invited them to celebrate Spring Festival in Oklahoma City.
• The guests shared New Year's Eve dinner, and Chen Xi later talked with Kobe about investing while his grandfather watched the Spring Festival Gala.
• The next morning, Chen Xi teased Talan awake, then went downstairs and asked Vanessa where Kobe had gone.
• Vanessa said Kobe had gone outside to see his love, and Chen Xi guessed what she meant.

After rejoining the Thunder, Chen Xi returned to action against the Celtics and showed no signs of rust as both teams traded early baskets. The chapter left the game underway, with Chen Xi’s three giving the Thunder another lead.

• Chen Xi saw Kobe’s family off after spending several days with them, then returned to the Thunder, who had kept winning during his absence.
• On January 29, the Thunder visited the Celtics, whose returning stars had helped them climb to third in the Eastern Conference.
• Chen Xi opened the game by scoring a fadeaway jumper over Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum answered with a three-pointer.
• Davis scored inside, then Chen Xi fooled a double-team and passed to Grant for a two-handed dunk.
• Tatum drew a shooting foul on Marc Gasol and made both free throws, but Chen Xi responded by hitting a three off Grant’s screen.

The Thunder overwhelmed the Celtics with explosive offense and a defense anchored by Chen Xi and Davis, building a commanding lead. After halftime, the Thunder led 76-53, up by 23 points.

• Chen Xi stole the ball from Brown and finished a fast break with a reverse dunk as the Thunder took an early lead.
• The Celtics struggled against the Thunder’s defense, though Smart and Robert Williams helped steady them before the Thunder finished the first quarter ahead 41-26.
• Brown led a Celtics run while Chen Xi rested, but Chen Xi returned and helped the Thunder’s defense force Brown into turnovers and a missed shot.
• Paul used pick-and-rolls with Robert Williams to keep the Celtics’ offense moving, but the Thunder’s starters regained control.
• Westbrook repeatedly attacked Paul as the Thunder pulled ahead 76-53 by halftime.

Chen Xi led the Thunder to a blowout win over the Celtics and continued their winning streak before joining Giannis to draft the All-Star teams. The chapter ended with both rosters announced and fans discussing Chen Xi’s lineup of familiar teammates.

• Chen Xi scored 10 straight points in the third quarter, and the Thunder defeated the Celtics 137–108 as he finished with 36 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals.
• The Thunder beat the Grizzlies, Cavaliers, Magic, and other teams to extend their winning streak to seven games.
• Chen Xi joined a TNT video call as the Western Conference vote leader and chose Victor Oladipo, Nikola Jokic, and other players for his starting lineup.
• Giannis selected Kevin Durant and LeBron James for Team Giannis’s starting five, which also included Trae Young, The Greek Freak, and Embiid.
• Chen Xi and Giannis completed their bench selections, with Chen Xi choosing Russell Westbrook and Giannis choosing Stephen Curry.
• Fans discussed the final rosters, noting Chen Xi’s familiar teammates and the playmaking strength of his starting lineup.

After dominating the Pacers, Chen Xi led the Thunder alone against the Bulls but could not prevent a narrow loss despite scoring 53 points. The chapter ended with Chen Xi and Oladipo trading insults after the game.

• Chen Xi returned to training after the captains' draft livestream ended.
• Chen Xi and Westbrook led the Thunder to a 30-point win over the Pacers, with Chen Xi scoring 42 points.
• Chen Xi scored 53 points as the Thunder, missing Westbrook and Davis, lost 113-120 to the Bulls.
• Oladipo, LaVine, and Markkanen led the Bulls in the win, while Little Gasol was the only Thunder player besides Chen Xi to provide strong support.
• Oladipo teased Chen Xi about his loss, and Chen Xi mocked Oladipo's career high and the Bulls' standing before Oladipo punched him in the chest.

After the Thunder won their games against the Magic and Wizards, Chen Xi spent most of his break at home before traveling to Chicago for All-Star Weekend. He watched the Rookie Game and the skills contests, then left the story after the Slam Dunk Contest ended.

• The Thunder won their games against the Magic and Wizards, then announced a break, and Chen Xi stayed home with his family as the pandemic worsened.
• Chen Xi's mask-wearing drew political attacks online, but he stayed silent and observed the controversy.
• On February 16, Chen Xi arrived in Chicago with Darren Moon's staff and attended the Rookie Game with Odie.
• Team USA defeated the World Team in the Rookie Game, and Miles Bridges won MVP.
• Chen Xi left the arena with Westbrook, waited for SGA, and returned to the hotel with them.
• Bam Adebayo won the Skills Challenge, Buddy Hield won the Three-Point Contest, and Derrick Jones Jr. won the Slam Dunk Contest with Dwyane Wade's support.

The All-Star Game tipped off with Team Chen Xi facing Team Giannis, and Chen Xi’s squad quickly showed its chemistry through a series of scoring plays. Team Chen Xi held the early edge as the game continued.

• Chen Xi and Westbrook joined their teammates in the locker room before both All-Star teams were introduced, with Mike Malone coaching Team Chen Xi and Atkinson coaching Team Giannis.
• Team Giannis won the opening tip, but James missed a deep three before Butler set up Chen Xi to score the game’s first points.
• Young sent James on a fast break for a dunk, and Chen Xi answered by assisting Oladipo on a rim-rattling finish.
• Giannis scored with a long-striding dunk to put Team Giannis ahead 5–4, but Jokic responded with a layup.
• Butler intercepted James’s long inbound pass, then set up Chen Xi’s drive-and-kick for Harden’s three-pointer as Team Chen Xi’s offense clicked into gear.

Chen Xi's team built an early lead before Mike Malone brought Westbrook and Davis onto the court, creating a Thunder Team lineup with Chen Xi, Odie, and Butler. The lineup showcased its chemistry with a fast-break dunk, while Team Giannis continued its attack.

• Chen Xi's team led Team Giannis 27–19 after six minutes of play.
• Atkinson substituted four players, keeping Giannis on the court, while Malone replaced Harden and Jokic with Westbrook and Davis.
• Chen Xi, Westbrook, Odie, Butler, and Davis celebrated their Thunder Team lineup and returned to the game.
• Westbrook grabbed a defensive rebound and led a fast break that ended with Odie catching Chen Xi's lob for a dunk.
• Irving passed to Curry, who isolated against Westbrook and launched a step-back three-pointer.

Chen Xi's team built an early lead, and Chen quietly helped Oladipo chase the All-Star MVP before taking over when Team Giannis mounted a comeback. The game entered its final five minutes with Chen Xi's team ahead 139–137.

• Westbrook dunked over Curry, and Chen Xi set up Davis for an alley-oop as their team extended its first-quarter lead.
• Chen Xi and his teammates fed Oladipo the ball, and Oladipo scored 24 points by halftime while their team led by six.
• Team Giannis tightened its defense in the third quarter and took the lead as Chen Xi's teammates kept playing casually.
• Chen Xi returned midway through the third quarter, hit five straight three-pointers, and scored 15 consecutive points to restore his team's lead.
• Both teams raised their intensity in the fourth quarter, and Chen Xi's team led 139–137 with five minutes remaining.

Chen Xi’s team defeated Team Giannis 168–160 in the All-Star Game after targeting Trae Young and helping Oladipo build his scoring total. Oladipo won MVP, while Chen Xi finished just short of claiming his second All-Star MVP.

• Jokic assisted Chen Xi on a fast break, and Chen Xi scored before answering Durant’s dunk with a long-range three.
• Oladipo scored a reverse layup as Chen Xi’s teammates helped him pursue All-Star MVP, and he reached 36 points.
• Harden hit a step-back three, and Team Chen Xi widened its lead by repeatedly targeting Trae Young.
• Team Giannis stopped guarding Oladipo late in the game, allowing him to add four points, a rebound, and an assist as Team Chen Xi won 168–160.
• Oladipo finished with 39 points, five rebounds, and six assists to earn All-Star Game MVP; Chen Xi recorded 33 points, three rebounds, and eight assists.

The Thunder’s winning streak ended against the Bucks, and the NBA shut down indefinitely after players tested positive for the virus. With no Thunder players infected, the team isolated, but the suspension threatened its season and looming luxury-tax costs.

• Oladipo raised the All-Star MVP trophy as the festivities ended, and the Thunder later lost to the Bucks despite Chen Xi scoring 52 points.
• Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell tested positive on March 12, prompting the NBA to suspend that day’s games and then shut down.
• More players across the League tested positive, and Adam Silver announced an indefinite suspension to protect players and prevent further spread.
• Towns lost seven relatives over the following months, including his mother, who died in May.
• The Thunder began isolation with a 54–7 record, while the shutdown threatened its playoff plans and increased luxury-tax concerns under the League’s transaction moratorium.

Chen Xi worried about his teammates staying healthy ahead of the NBA’s planned return, while Talan’s pregnancy brought joy to the Chen family. The NBA finalized its twenty-two-team restart plan, setting the season to resume in Orlando on August 1.

• Chen Xi worried that teammates, especially Westbrook and AD, might test positive and jeopardize the Thunder’s championship run.
• After George Floyd was killed, protests spread across America, and Westbrook joined demonstrations in California, prompting Chen Xi to prepare for the possibility of playing without him.
• At the end of May, Chen learned that Talan was pregnant, and Old Chen eagerly fussed over her as the family celebrated.
• On June 5, the NBA Board of Governors approved a twenty-two-team restart in Orlando, with play set to resume on August 1.

Chen Xi watched as Irving led players in opposing the season’s resumption, then returned to the Thunder as the league restarted its season in a bubble. The Thunder finished first in the West, while Chen maintained his scoring and MVP lead ahead of the Playoffs.

• Irving convened a players’ union meeting to oppose resuming the season, and Chen Xi observed without taking a position.
• The league gradually reopened, with Chen reporting to the Thunder on June 22 and teams undergoing COVID testing before training camp began in Orlando on July 1.
• After the season resumed on August 1, Donovan rested Westbrook for all eight remaining regular-season games and limited Davis to four appearances.
• Chen played seven games, averaging 29.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists while remaining atop the Scoring Champion and MVP leaderboards.
• The regular season ended on August 15, with the Thunder finishing first in the West at 61 wins and 9 losses.

The Thunder opened their Playoff series against the Mavericks with Westbrook resting, as Chen Xi and Davis helped keep the game close. The chapter ended with Chen Xi tying the score at 6-6 after breaking Doncic’s ankles and scoring in the paint.

• The Cavaliers secured the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed, and the Playoff schedule began with Thunder versus Mavericks as the opening game.
• The Thunder started Alexander, Chen Xi, Grant, Davis, and Little Gasol, while Westbrook continued resting against the Mavericks.
• Porzingis missed a mid-range jumper, and Chen Xi scored the Thunder’s first points with a fast-break tomahawk dunk.
• Kleber made an open three, and Davis answered with a mid-range jumper after Alexander’s pick-and-roll pass.
• Doncic scored through Alexander and made the bonus free throw to give the Mavericks a 6-4 lead.
• Chen Xi broke Doncic’s ankles and finished through Kleber’s help defense to tie the game at 6-6.

Chen Xi and the Thunder faced the Mavericks in Game 1 as both teams traded baskets and tested each other’s defense. Dallas’s role players kept hitting threes, while the Thunder maintained their approach and relied on plays from Alexander and Davis.

• Carlisle worried that Chen Xi’s explosive style and injury risks would make him difficult to contain for years to come.
• Doncic scored a three over Alexander, who answered by driving past Doncic and laying the ball in against Porzingis.
• The Mavericks doubled Chen Xi, so he passed inside to Davis, who spun past Kleber and dunked to put the Thunder ahead 10–9.
• Tim Hardaway Jr. hit a corner three, and Alexander and Davis answered with a pick-and-roll layup.
• Kleber hit another three after the Mavericks repeated their off-ball play, while Donovan watched calmly from the sidelines.

The Thunder Team overcame the Mavericks’ early three-point shooting by attacking the paint and running in transition, building a 46–31 lead by the end of the first quarter. Chen Xi opened the second quarter with the bench lineup and shifted toward perimeter scoring, leaving the Thunder in control.

• Chen Xi and Davis led fast breaks and inside scoring as the Mavericks’ threes began to miss and their defense struggled to contain the Thunder Team.
• Carlisle called two timeouts, then gave Doncic more of the offense; Doncic finished the first quarter with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists.
• Chen Xi, Davis, and Alexander powered the Thunder Team to a 46–31 first-quarter lead, with the team scoring 26 points in the paint.
• Chen Xi started the second quarter with Carter, Green, Collins, and Noel while Alexander rested, and the Thunder Team continued scoring with a bench-heavy lineup.
• Chen Xi took on more perimeter shots and initiated the offense himself, passing mainly when the Mavericks sent three defenders at him.

Chen Xi led the Thunder to a 130-102 Game 1 win over the Mavericks, while the Celtics and Nuggets also won their opening playoff games against the Raptors and Lakers. The chapter ended with the first-round results showing the Thunder, Celtics, and Nuggets each taking decisive victories.

• Chen Xi scored 42 points as the Thunder beat the Mavericks 130-102, with Davis adding 35 points and 17 rebounds.
• Chris Paul recorded 15 points and 17 assists as the Celtics defeated the Raptors 118-105.
• The Raptors struggled to score, while Bao Kobe led them with 24 points before the Celtics shut him down in the fourth quarter.
• Jokic, Murray, and Michael Porter powered the Nuggets to a 121-103 win over the Lakers.
• LeBron James scored 35 points in the loss, while Carmelo Anthony managed 11 points against the Nuggets' focused defense.