Chapter Summaries

NBA teams made a series of offseason moves, including the Lakers signing Nerlens Noel and Dennis Schroder, Davis extending with the Thunder, and the Warriors trading for Andrew Wiggins. Dragic returned to the Heat, while the Spurs were left with little from the Kawhi Leonard trade and prepared to rebuild.

• On November 3, Nerlens Noel signed a three-year, $11 million contract with the Lakers, who also signed Dwight Howard and moved on from Cousins.
• On November 4, the Lakers waived Lance Stephenson and traded Lonzo Ball and Markieff Morris to the Hawks for Dennis Schroder.
• On November 5, Anthony Davis declined his player option and signed a three-year extension worth a little over $100 million with the Thunder.
• On November 6, the Warriors traded D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans, and Spellman to the Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and two draft picks.
• On November 8, Dragic signed a two-year, $37.4 million deal with the Heat, leaving the Spurs with little return for Kawhi and facing a rebuild.

The NBA teams made a series of trades and signings, reshaping the Lakers, Clippers, Nets, Thunder, Knicks, Pelicans, 76ers, and Jazz. The chapter ended with Julius Randle joining the Jazz and Al Horford moving to the Pelicans.

• The Nets signed LaMarcus Aldridge to a veteran minimum contract on November 9.
• The Lakers signed Brandon Ingram to a five-year max deal and traded him to the Clippers for Blake Griffin on November 13.
• The Nets traded Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris, Kenneth Faried, Ed Davis, and a 2023 first-round pick to the Hornets for Kemba Walker, then signed Kyle Korver on November 20.
• The Knicks signed DeAndre Jordan and traded him to the Thunder for Jerami Grant, Darius Bazley, Hamidou Diallo, and a second-round pick on November 24.
• Derrick Jones Jr. signed a two-year deal with the Mavericks on November 26.
• The Pelicans, 76ers, and Jazz completed a three-team trade that sent Julius Randle to the Jazz, Al Horford to the Pelicans, and Bojan Bogdanovic to the 76ers.

The Thunder and other NBA teams made a series of offseason moves as December brought the start of training camp. Chen Xi reunited with Donovan and met new teammates Desmond Bane and Little Jordan, leaving the Thunder to begin preparing for the new season.

• The Hornets signed Gordon Hayward, while the Nuggets added Montrezl Harrell and Caldwell-Pope.
• The Pelicans traded Darius Miller and two second-round picks to the Clippers for Louis Williams, and the Thunder signed Nicolas Batum and rookie Desmond Bane.
• The Heat traded Justise Winslow to Toronto for Norman Powell as teams strengthened their rosters ahead of a season aimed at challenging the Thunder.
• Chen Xi arrived at Thunder training camp on December 2 and caught up with Donovan, who introduced him to the new teammates.
• Chen Xi recognized Little Jordan, joked with him about the nickname “Yellow Book,” and joined the Thunder as their first team practice began.

The Thunder began their preseason against the Hornets, with Chen Xi and Davis resting while Donovan evaluated the newcomers. Little Jordan’s powerful dunk over James Wiseman showed that the veteran center still had plenty of athleticism, leaving Donovan pleased with his condition.

• The Thunder’s players settled in during training camp as the newcomers adapted to the team.
• The Thunder announced that Chen Xi and Davis would sit out the preseason opener and that Westbrook would play only briefly.
• Chen Xi and Davis discussed James Wiseman’s early defensive positioning while watching from the bench.
• Little Jordan rolled to the basket off a Pick-and-Roll and dunked over Wiseman, prompting Chen Xi and Davis to celebrate.
• Donovan watched Little Jordan’s dunk and concluded that the center’s physical decline had been limited.

The Thunder finished the preseason with a 1–3 record before preparing to face the Heat in their season opener. At their championship banner-raising and ring ceremony, Westbrook raised the team’s third banner and Jerebko received his ring after a surprise message from his wife.

• The Thunder defeated the Hornets 105–101 in their first preseason game, while rookie Wiseman scored 21 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
• The Thunder lost their remaining three preseason games, finishing 1–3 as several veterans played limited minutes.
• The Thunder prepared to host the Heat on December 23 for the regular-season opener between last season’s champions and runners-up.
• Bennett thanked the organization, and Westbrook raised the Thunder’s 2020 championship banner beside the team’s two earlier banners.
• Jerebko received his championship ring after his wife surprised him with a congratulatory message on the arena’s big screen.

During the championship ring ceremony, Chen Xi surprised Dasha Talan by proposing to her with his new ring. Talan accepted, and the two celebrated their engagement before the arena and broadcast audience.

• Talan appeared on the arena screen with a congratulatory video for Chen Xi and joked that he had to act surprised.
• Chen Xi received his third championship ring, which was inscribed with Dasha Talan’s name and the date.
• Chen Xi announced that he had secretly prepared a surprise and proposed to Talan, recounting their relationship and asking her to marry him.
• Talan emerged from the players’ tunnel, accepted Chen Xi’s proposal, and let him place the ring on her finger.
• Chen Xi and Talan kissed as the arena celebrated and commentators praised the proposal.

Chen Xi’s proposal made headlines before the Thunder Team’s regular-season opener against the Heat Team. He helped the Thunder take an early lead, then stunned the arena with a powerful dunk after breaking through a double-team.

• Reporters rushed to cover Chen Xi’s proposal, and the Thunder players praised him when he returned to the court.
• The Thunder and Heat starters took the floor, and Little Gasol won the opening tip.
• Chen Xi scored the game’s first basket with a jumper after using Davis’s screen to get past Duncan Robinson.
• Duncan Robinson answered with a three-pointer, and Jerebko scored a drifting floater to give the Thunder another basket.
• Chen Xi burst between two defenders and glided into a thunderous dunk, prompting astonished reactions from the commentators and crowd.

Chen Xi stunned the Heat with a dunk and a burst of early scoring, giving the Thunder an 11–6 lead before Spo called a timeout. After the game resumed, Chen Xi ceded more possessions to Davis, and both teams began rotating their lineups.

• Chen Xi dunked over the Heat, then joked with Westbrook as the game continued without a timeout.
• Dragic found Herro for a corner three, tying the score at 6–6.
• Chen Xi drove past Herro and Kawhi, then hit a drifting fadeaway over Adebayo.
• After Leonard missed a three, Chen Xi grabbed the rebound, pushed the ball upcourt, and made a three to cap nine straight points.
• Spo called a timeout with the Thunder leading 11–6, and the teams later began making substitutions with seven and a half minutes left in the first quarter.

Chen Xi erupted for 39 points in the first half as the Thunder built a 17-point lead over the Heat. After the Thunder shifted its offense toward him in the second half, the Heat targeted him with heavier defense, but Chen's scoring range, ability to handle pressure, and stamina gave him a chance to keep chasing his career scoring record.

• Chen Xi scored 22 points in the first quarter as the Thunder took a 39-28 lead over the Heat.
• While Chen Xi rested, Davis helped the Thunder hold off the Heat, whose offense struggled as Kawhi's outside shot ran cold.
• Chen Xi returned and attacked relentlessly, while Kawhi stole the ball from him and scored on a fast break.
• Chen Xi finished the first half with 39 points on 15-for-23 shooting, and the Thunder led 76-59.
• The Thunder began focusing its offense on Chen Xi after halftime, prompting the Heat to target him with stronger defense.
• Chen's all-court scoring ability and maxed-out stamina helped him withstand the increased defensive pressure.

Chen Xi broke the single-game scoring record through three quarters with 65 points, but the Heat erased the Thunder’s lead when he rested. After the starters returned, Chen Xi and Westbrook helped steady the Thunder, though Kawhi Leonard cut the lead to two.

• Chen Xi scored 65 points through three quarters, surpassing his own record and Kobe Bryant’s record for points through three quarters as the Heat trimmed the deficit to nine.
• With Chen Xi resting to start the fourth quarter, Powell and Herro led an 8–0 Heat run that erased the Thunder’s lead, prompting Donovan to call timeout and bring back the starters.
• Westbrook used Chen Xi’s decoy movement to score a mid-range jumper and end the Thunder’s scoring drought.
• Chen Xi answered Adebayo’s basket with a three-pointer after a give-and-go with Westbrook.
• Leonard intercepted Little Gasol’s pass and made a long two-pointer, cutting the Thunder’s lead to two.

The Thunder and Heat traded the lead late as Chen Xi and Kawhi Leonard each took over on offense. With the Thunder up by three and 1:27 remaining, Dragic lobbed the ball inside for Leonard to face Green one-on-one.

• The Heat took the lead when Duncan Robinson hit a corner three, but Little Gasol answered with a three for the Thunder.
• The teams traded the lead as Chen Xi drew defenders and created opportunities for his teammates, while the Heat used physical defense against him.
• With 2:30 left and the Thunder ahead 121–120, Leonard used a screen to isolate Westbrook and scored two points.
• Chen Xi answered with a floater for his 75th point, then switched onto Leonard and forced him to miss.
• Chen Xi drove the other way and scored over Adebayo to give the Thunder a three-point lead with 1:27 remaining.
• Herro passed to Dragic, who lobbed the ball inside for Leonard to attack Green one-on-one.

Chen Xi hit a clutch three to put the Thunder Team ahead by four, then created an easy dunk for Marc Gasol after the Heat cut into the lead. The Thunder restored their four-point advantage with the game nearly decided, while Chen Xi remained one point short of tying Kobe Bryant’s single-game scoring record.

• Kawhi scored a fadeaway over Jerebko to bring the Heat within one point.
• Chen Xi shook Duncan Robinson with a shot fake and made a three, giving the Thunder Team a four-point lead with 47 seconds remaining.
• Dragic passed to Kawhi, who drove to the rim and scored quickly against Jerebko.
• Little Gasol passed to Chen Xi to avoid Miami’s pressure, and Chen Xi ran down the clock before attacking.
• Chen Xi drew Adebayo in the air and passed to Marc Gasol, who dunked to restore the Thunder’s four-point lead.

The Thunder defeated the Heat as Chen Xi scored 80 points, setting a record for points through three quarters and nearly matching Kobe's single-game mark. Afterward, Durant, Griffin, LeBron James, and Kobe reacted to Chen Xi's historic performance, with Kobe praising his decision to pass on a chance to chase the record.

• Herro missed a contested three with 17.6 seconds left, and Chen Xi waited out the clock as the Thunder beat the Heat 141–137.
• Chen Xi finished with 80 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, breaking Kobe's record for points through three quarters and moving to third on the NBA's single-game scoring list.
• The Nets beat the Lakers, with Kevin Durant scoring 41 points and Griffin recording 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists.
• Durant reacted with surprise to Chen Xi's 80-point game and called him the League's best scorer.
• Griffin and Old Zhang praised Chen Xi, while Old Zhang privately worried that Chen Xi might surpass his career records.
• Kobe said Chen Xi could have broken his 81-point record but had made the better choice by passing, and predicted Chen Xi would achieve even greater success.

After his proposal to Talan, Chen Xi claimed rewards from his record-breaking games, raised several attributes, and gained new badges. He then helped the Thunder beat the Clippers, leaving the team with another easy win and the League marveling at his rise.

• Chen Xi and Talan stayed home instead of going to an art exhibit, giving him time to claim rewards for scoring 70 and 80 points in a regular-season game.
• Chen Xi spent 60 free attribute points on steals, rebounds, and blocks, bringing nearly all his attributes to 100.
• Chen Xi received four badges and used a Silver Badge Upgrader to raise Range Extender to Gold.
• On December 26, Chen Xi scored 27 points with 8 rebounds and 6 assists as the Thunder beat the Clippers 118–102.
• Brandon Ingram scored 30 points for the rebuilding Clippers, while teams across the League envied Oklahoma City for finding Chen Xi.

The Thunder opened their road trip against the Timberwolves, whose rookie Anthony Edwards had quickly shown promise. Chen Xi mostly created chances for his teammates, and the chapter ended as Edwards entered the game ready to attack.

• The Thunder beat the Pacers at home before beginning a six-game road trip.
• Before the Timberwolves game, Anthony Edwards said he admired Kevin Durant but was eager to challenge Chen Xi.
• Karl-Anthony Towns won the opening tip, and D'Angelo Russell scored the Timberwolves' first basket with a mid-range jumper.
• Russell Westbrook set up Marc Gasol for a layup, then the Timberwolves answered with a Towns three-pointer.
• Anthony Davis scored a short floater while Chen Xi focused on drawing defensive attention and creating chances for teammates.
• With six and a half minutes left in the first quarter, the Timberwolves put Edwards into the game, and he immediately showed a strong desire to attack.

Chen Xi repeatedly outplayed rookie Anthony Edwards, culminating in a powerful dunk over him during the Thunder-Timberwolves game. Edwards vowed to get revenge as Chen headed to the free-throw line to complete the and-one.

• Edwards opened the game by driving past Little Gasol and scoring a floating layup.
• Chen Xi blew past Edwards, shook him with a crossover, and scored after a shot fake while welcoming him to the NBA.
• Edwards demanded the ball from Scola and challenged Chen Xi, but Chen stayed with him and stole the ball.
• Edwards chased Chen on a fast break, but Chen evaded his block and dunked over him, drawing a loud reaction from the commentators.
• Chen Xi helped Edwards up, then made his free throw as Edwards angrily promised to get revenge.

Chen Xi led the Thunder Team to a comfortable win over Minnesota, then prepared to face the undefeated Nets Team in Brooklyn. The heavyweight matchup began with Westbrook driving the Thunder’s offense, while Brooklyn struck first from three-point range.

• Chen Xi scored 42 points and recorded ten assists as the Thunder Team beat Minnesota 120–105, handing Edwards a difficult rookie-season lesson.
• Chen Xi exchanged supportive words with Towns and encouraged Edwards after the game.
• On New Year’s Day, the undefeated Thunder Team traveled to Brooklyn to face the also-undefeated Nets Team, whose starters included Durant, George, Walker, Prince, and Allen.
• Westbrook attacked the basket on the Thunder’s opening possession, but Allen blocked his path and his shot bounced off the rim.
• Walker set up Prince for a three-pointer that gave Brooklyn a 3–0 lead, and Davis answered with a floater after receiving Westbrook’s pass.

The Nets built an early lead with Durant and George scoring, while Chen Xi answered for the Thunder with a difficult fadeaway and a transition-period floater. The game continued with Durant and Chen Xi leading their teams’ rotations, and Durant capped the sequence by hitting a pull-up three.

• Durant beat Jerebko off the dribble and scored a layup, then Chen Xi missed a three for the Thunder.
• George made a transition three for the Nets, and Chen Xi answered with a fadeaway jumper after Davis passed out of the post.
• The Nets’ offense kept scoring, and they led 27–20 seven minutes into the first quarter.
• Alexander scored off a pick-and-roll, then Chen Xi grabbed Korver’s missed three and drove past Brown for a floater.
• Durant beat Green one-on-one and made a pull-up three as the Nets and Thunder traded baskets.

The Thunder struggled to keep pace with the Nets because their two-center lineup cramped the offense, while Paul George led a barrage of scoring. Chen Xi returned and traded big plays with George, but the Thunder still trailed as Davis finished a pass at the rim.

• The Thunder and Nets traded baskets in the first quarter, which ended with the Nets ahead 39–30.
• The Nets exploited the Thunder’s poor spacing, and George’s outside shooting helped push their lead into double digits in the second quarter.
• Donovan sent Chen Xi back into the game, and Chen Xi scored a long two before George answered with a double-clutch layup.
• Chen Xi hit a three over George, but George scored a step-back jumper against Chen Xi despite the close contest.
• Chen Xi drove into the paint, drew Aldridge’s help defense, and passed to Davis for a one-handed dunk.

The Thunder stayed within reach of the Nets until Anthony Davis badly rolled his ankle late in the first half, leaving the team without its anchor while trailing by thirteen. Chen Xi led a second-half counterattack, and the Thunder cut the deficit to six by turning stops into fast breaks.

• Chen Xi and Davis kept the Thunder's offense going, but Durant returned and helped the Nets extend their lead.
• Davis rolled his ankle while finishing a pick-and-roll and left for the locker room, and the Thunder trailed 62–75 at halftime.
• Donovan moved Chen Xi to small forward and started Westbrook, Alexander, Green, and Little Jordan alongside him.
• Westbrook blocked Durant, and Chen Xi hit a transition three as the Thunder began narrowing the gap.
• Chen Xi drew a three-point shooting foul on George and made all three free throws.
• The Thunder used zone defense and fast breaks to put together a 17–10 run, cutting the Nets' lead to six.