Chapter Summaries

The Thunder and Warriors traded baskets as the Thunder attacked the Warriors’ vulnerable small lineup and the Warriors relied on fast breaks. In the final three minutes, the Warriors still led by three, but Jordan Poole missed a crucial corner three.

• Westbrook found Little Gasol for a layup, and Green launched another Warriors fast break.
• Chen Xi stripped Poole, then helped set up a passing play that ended with Jerebko dunking to cut the margin to four.
• Klay made a mid-range jumper, and Chen Xi later used a screen to get Poole switched onto him before scoring over him.
• Both teams traded offense until the final three minutes, with the Warriors leading 129–125.
• Curry drove and passed through Wiggins to Poole in the corner, where Poole missed a crucial three-pointer.

Chen Xi and Stephen Curry traded crucial baskets as the Thunder and Warriors battled to a tie in the final minute. After Marc Gasol and Davis tied the game, both teams prepared for the Warriors’ next possession.

• Chen Xi cut past the Warriors’ defense and scored with a Euro Step, then Curry answered with a three-pointer.
• Chen Xi beat Curry with a pull-up jumper, but Wiggins missed a three on the Warriors’ next possession.
• Chen Xi drew a double-team and passed to Marc Gasol, who found Davis for a tying layup.
• Kerr called a timeout, and Donovan replaced Marc Gasol with Vanderbilt to strengthen the Thunder’s perimeter defense.
• The Warriors kept their Death Lineup, and Curry brought the ball to the logo to begin their final-minute possession.

The Thunder ran the Spanish pick-and-roll, and Chen Xi hit a contested three to tie the game. The Warriors immediately pushed a fast break with 28 seconds left, leaving the final possession in Curry’s hands.

• Wiggins redeemed his earlier miss by making a three, and the Thunder called a timeout.
• Donovan drew up a Spanish pick-and-roll play, and Chen Xi inbounded to Westbrook before taking his position.
• The Warriors trapped Chen Xi at the arc, but he drove, stepped back, and made a difficult three to tie the score.
• Westbrook pulled Chen Xi up, and Chen Xi urged his teammates back on defense when he realized the Warriors were rushing the ball upcourt.
• Kerr kept his timeout and let Curry lead the Warriors’ counterattack with 28 seconds remaining.

Carmelo Anthony hit a last-second game-winner against the Golden State Warriors after Chen Xi passed to him instead of taking the final shot. The Thunder celebrated the win, and Anthony told reporters he was happy to come through in a major matchup.

• Stephen Curry scored a late floater to put the Warriors ahead with 4.7 seconds remaining.
• Chen Xi received Westbrook's inbound pass, drew three defenders, and passed to Carmelo Anthony on the wing.
• Carmelo Anthony made the open shot as time expired, giving the Thunder the game-winning basket.
• Chen Xi shook hands with Curry and walked toward the tunnel while the Thunder surrounded Anthony to celebrate.
• Carmelo Anthony told reporters he cherished the chance to come through in a big matchup.

After the Thunder beat the Warriors on Carmelo Anthony’s buzzer-beater, Chris Chen Xi explained his clutch pass and focused on the team rather than the MVP race. The Thunder then prepared to face the first-place Pelicans, led by MVP candidate Jimmy Butler, in their next home game.

• Carmelo Anthony said he had focused only on making the game-winning shot after Chris Chen Xi passed him the ball.
• Chris Chen Xi said he passed to Anthony because he saw him open, and he praised the team’s trust in one another.
• Chen Xi said he believed the Thunder could return to the top of the West but was more concerned with staying healthy and winning than with the MVP rankings.
• Fans debated the Thunder-Warriors game online, including Anthony’s buzzer-beater, the teams’ clutch performances, and Steve Kerr’s lineup choices.
• On February 11, the Thunder welcomed the first-place New Orleans Pelicans for a home back-to-back, with Jimmy Butler averaging 25.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 8.9 assists.

The Pelicans Team hosted the Thunder Team in a tense first meeting, with both teams taking the matchup seriously. After the opening exchanges, Chen Xi scored against the Pelicans Team’s carefully planned defense, leaving Donovan concerned about how thoroughly they had prepared for the Thunder Team.

• Little Gasol beat Little Sabonis on the opening tip, and Westbrook scored a mid-range jumper off a screen from Davis.
• Butler directed the Pelicans Team’s first possession, and Redick hit a three after curling off screens set by Little Sabonis and Horford.
• Chen Xi attacked Butler off the dribble, avoided Horford’s help defense, and made a step-back mid-range shot.
• Donovan watched the Pelicans Team’s tailored defensive approach and frowned as the Thunder Team’s first possessions revealed how closely their opponents had studied them.

Chen Xi slowed the Thunder’s offense and helped them settle into a more deliberate rhythm against the Pelicans. With both teams turning to their bench rotations late in the first quarter, Chen remained on the court to lead the Thunder.

• Horford missed a three, and Westbrook drove past Holiday but missed a contested layup before Butler recovered the rebound.
• Butler struggled to create against the Thunder’s size, so he used a screen and passed to Little Sabonis, who set up Butler for a basket.
• Chen Xi slowed the Thunder’s pace, then used the Ai-cut action to draw Horford and pass inside to Davis for an easy finger roll.
• The teams traded patient offense, reaching a score of 20–19 with seven minutes played as their rotations began.
• Alexander brought the ball up for the Thunder and looked for Chen Xi, who stayed on the court to lead the second unit.

The Thunder attacked the Pelicans’ defensive mismatches as Chen Xi scored and helped cut the lead to four. The Pelicans missed several chances to extend their advantage, and the chapter ended with Redick rotating onto Westbrook after he passed up an open three.

• Chen Xi drew Butler’s defense and passed to Jeff Green, whose drive earned the Thunder a goaltending call and a basket.
• Chen Xi urged Jerebko to keep attacking Redick, while Butler missed a three and Davis collected the rebound.
• Chen Xi used a handoff to switch onto Holiday, drove into the paint, and scored a floater to cut the Pelicans’ lead to four.
• Butler told Holiday to stop Chen Xi from driving, while the Pelicans’ next possession ended with Little Sabonis missing a layup and Davis grabbing the rebound.
• Chen Xi passed out of a double-team to Westbrook, who hesitated on an open three and allowed Redick to rotate onto him.

Westbrook cut the Thunder's lead to two, and the Pelicans called timeout before running a late possession against Oklahoma. The chapter ended with Little Sabonis drawing a shooting foul after Chris collapsed into the paint to defend his drive.

• Westbrook drove past Redick and made a bank shot to cut the lead to two.
• The Pelicans called timeout, and Gentry gave his starters a pep talk without offering a tactical adjustment.
• The Pelicans returned to the court, and Butler used screens to draw the Thunder's defense before passing to Horford.
• Horford drove and passed to Little Sabonis, whose attempt at the rim was stopped when Chris fouled him.

Little Sabonis missed both clutch free throws, giving the Thunder a chance to take the lead. With the game still close, Chen Xi attacked Butler off the dribble, but the chapter ended before his move produced a shot.

• Chen Xi fouled Little Sabonis, who went to the line with the Pelicans protecting a narrow lead.
• Little Sabonis missed both free throws, and Little Gasol grabbed the rebound after the second miss.
• The Thunder took possession with forty-nine seconds left, and Westbrook waited near the logo before beginning the offense.
• Chen Xi used a screen and a handoff to get the ball near the sideline as the Pelicans shifted four defenders toward him.
• Butler confronted Chen Xi, who used crossovers and a Bait Buddha to begin his attack.

Chen Xi hit a step-back three to put the Thunder ahead, then helped seal the game with a steal on the Pelicans' final possession. He left Butler to shoot free throws after Butler fouled him.

• Chen Xi drove past Butler, stepped back near the sideline, and hit a three-pointer to give the Thunder the lead.
• The Pelicans returned from a timeout and began their final possession with Brother Zhu holding the ball near the logo.
• Butler used screens and passes to attack, but Davis's help defense and the Thunder's rotations denied him a clear shot.
• Chen Xi read Holiday's pass to Butler, intercepted it, and forced Butler to foul him and send him to the free-throw line.

Chen Xi made both clutch free throws to seal the Thunder’s 137–133 win over the Pelicans, scoring 43 points and passing 10,000 career points. After the game, his teammates ambushed him with an ice-water celebration in the locker room.

• Chen Xi made his first free throw, then his second, leaving the Pelicans with no time to recover.
• Redick’s long shot missed, and Westbrook secured the ball as the clock expired, giving the Thunder a 137–133 victory.
• Chen Xi finished with 43 points and surpassed 10,000 career points, reaching 10,021.
• After answering reporters, Chen Xi found team staff blocking the locker-room entrance and realized they were hiding a surprise.
• Westbrook dumped a bucket of ice water over Chen Xi as teammates laughed.

After the Thunder beat the Western Conference leaders, Chen Xi celebrated Chris’s 10,000-point milestone and urged the team to keep winning. During a two-day break, Chen collected his achievement reward and strengthened his shot-blocking ability, leaving him better equipped to pursue the all-time records for blocks by guards.

• Westbrook and the Thunder teammates congratulated Chris on reaching 10,000 career points, and Chen Xi praised the victory and rallied the team.
• The Thunder’s winning streak quieted criticism of the team, while Oklahoma City media promoted Chen’s milestone amid his All-Star voting race with James.
• Fans argued online about whether Chen or James was the League’s best player, comparing their careers and teammates.
• Chen Xi spent a two-day break at home and received 15 Free Attribute Points and a Specific Silver Badge for reaching 10,000 career points.
• Chen put all 15 points into blocks and chose the [Chasing Master] badge, improving his shot-blocking as he aimed to pursue Jordan’s and Wade’s guard-block records.

After the Thunder’s winning streak brought them level with the Rockets, the NBA announced the All-Star starters and MVP rankings, with Chen Xi named a Western Conference starter and ranked third in MVP voting. During a brief break, Chen returned to Los Angeles, where he reunited with his pregnant wife and began planning a visit to a beachfront mansion he was considering buying.

• Chen Xi led the Thunder to consecutive wins, tying their record with the Rockets while Oklahoma remained sixth in the West because of its loss to Houston.
• The NBA announced LeBron James as the All-Star vote leader and revealed Chen Xi among the Western Conference starters.
• The MVP rankings placed Nikola Jokic first, Giannis Antetokounmpo second, and Chen Xi third, while every player in the top eight made the All-Star starting lineups.
• Chen Xi flew from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles during the Thunder’s four-day break, where his grandfather picked him up at LAX.
• Chen Xi planned to inspect a Newport Beach mansion with Moon and Talan before deciding whether to buy it, then went home to see Talan, whose pregnancy was showing.

Chen Xi returned home, discussed Talan’s pregnancy and the baby’s due date, then drove her to Newport Beach to tour a mansion he was considering buying. He weighed the home’s price and lifestyle appeal against the danger of California wildfires, including a devastating fire he knew was coming.

• Chen Xi came home and learned that Talan’s checkup was normal and her due date was March second.
• The old man interrupted their conversation and sent Chen Xi to eat, still resentful that the family’s attention had shifted to Talan carrying a boy.
• The next morning, Chen Xi drove Talan to Newport Beach while the old man stayed behind, preferring to return to his restaurant after the baby was born.
• Chen Xi and Talan met agent Smith Christie and went inside to view the twenty-six-million-dollar mansion.
• Chen Xi considered the home’s investment potential and its proximity to the beach, friends, and Kobe’s mansion as he weighed buying it for his off-season enjoyment.
• Chen Xi considered California’s wildfire risk and recalled that a massive historic wildfire was due to hit the region in 2025.

Chen Xi toured a lavish coastal mansion in Newport Beach and decided he was satisfied with its location and property. He left the remaining purchase arrangements to Moon, who had expanded his basketball agency through Chen Xi’s influence.

• Chen Xi inspected the mansion’s spacious rooms, pool, entertainment facilities, and large garage.
• Chen Xi surveyed the bedrooms and outdoor amenities, including the beachside view and sports courts.
• Christie explained that she could contact Mr. Francis to prepare a contract, and Chen Xi said he was satisfied with the property.
• Chen Xi shared a light meal with Talan at the mansion and then drove away.
• Chen Xi planned renovations, including expanding the gym, adding an esports room, and building an indoor basketball court.
• Moon was left to handle the remaining matters after growing his agency by signing players including Bane, Okongwu, and Avdija.

Chen Xi returned to Oklahoma City and helped the Thunder open their final regular-season game against the Nets with an aggressive attack. The chapter left the Thunder ahead early after Chen Xi hit a three and set up a fast-break dunk for Westbrook.

• Chen Xi returned to Los Angeles after his property tour, then flew back to Oklahoma City on February 21 to rejoin the Thunder.
• The Thunder hosted the full-strength Nets for their final regular-season meeting, seeking a win and a close look at a potential Finals opponent.
• Chen Xi opened the scoring with a three-pointer after the Thunder targeted Kemba Walker in their switching defense.
• Walker missed a floater, and Chen Xi stole Allen's pass before launching a long pass to Westbrook for an alley-oop dunk.

The Thunder and Nets traded early baskets as Westbrook attacked the rim and Durant answered with a mid-range jumper. The chapter ended with Chen Xi defending Durant closely as he drove toward the Thunder’s protected paint.

• The Thunder bench celebrated Westbrook’s thunderous dunk as the Nets prepared their counterattack.
• Walker used Allen’s screen to find Durant, who beat Jeff Green with an isolation drive and made a mid-range jumper.
• Chen Xi cut through the paint to draw Allen’s attention, allowing Westbrook to drive past the defense for a layup.
• The Nets’ give-and-go offense broke down against the Thunder’s rotations, and Durant ended up facing Chen Xi one-on-one.
• Chen Xi used his strength to block Durant’s path and stayed close as Durant continued driving toward Davis and Gasol in the paint.

Chen Xi blocked Kevin Durant’s fadeaway, lifting the Thunder’s morale, but the Nets kept possession and Paul George answered with a three-pointer. The Nets led 7–5 as their star forwards’ potent offense continued to threaten.

• Chen Xi timed a leap perfectly and blocked Durant’s fadeaway, sending the ball out of bounds.
• Marc Gasol and Westbrook celebrated the block, while Chen Xi urged his teammates to get back and defend.
• Durant inbounded to Walker, who attacked off a screen and passed the ball to George.
• George avoided challenging Chen Xi directly, used a screen, and made a deep three-pointer to put the Nets ahead 7–5.

The Nets and Thunder traded scores as Chen Xi’s isolation layup helped keep the game even, while the Thunder struggled to score consistently. After Kevin Durant drew a foul and made a free throw, Donovan called timeout and put Chris in charge of initiating the offense.

• The Thunder opened with a Spanish Pick and Roll, but Jeff Green missed a three-pointer, and the Nets tied the score at 7–7 when Paul George scored over Chen Xi.
• Chen Xi beat George off the dribble and finished a spinning, hand-swapped layup at the rim.
• The Nets missed a three-pointer, regained possession after Allen was fouled on the offensive boards, and tied the score at 9–9 with Walker’s mid-range jumper.
• AD’s pass out of a post-up was disrupted by Allen, and Durant drew a foul on the Nets’ fast break before making the first free throw.
• Donovan called timeout and told the Thunder to run the triangle through Chris, with Nicholas preparing to enter and space the floor.