Chapter Summaries

The Thunder fought to preserve their lead against the Nuggets in a high-scoring fourth quarter, with Chen Xi taking on Jokic and helping keep the margin at six. The chapter left off with Gordon driving toward the rim after Pope missed a three-pointer.

• The third quarter ended with the Thunder leading 107–101.
• Donovan opened the fourth with nearly all his starters, and Chen Xi led two fast breaks to score six points and push the lead into double digits.
• Mike Malone brought Jokic back, and Chen Xi switched onto him to disrupt the Jokic Murray Pick and Roll while the Thunder adjusted their defensive assignments.
• The Thunder reached the final four minutes with a six-point lead despite Chen Xi's heavy workload and visible fatigue.
• After a timeout, Jokic passed to Pope in the corner, and Pope missed a three-pointer before Gordon grabbed the rebound and drove toward Little Jordan at the rim.

The Thunder extended their lead over the Nuggets with a Westbrook layup and a clutch Batum three after Gordon missed a free throw. With the Thunder in control late in the game, Chen Xi began running down the clock and faced the Nuggets’ box-and-one defense.

• Uncle fouled Gordon, picked up his fifth foul, and was replaced by Alexander.
• Chen Xi’s stare unsettled Gordon, who missed his second free throw, and Batum secured the rebound.
• Westbrook drove past Jokic for a layup, then Murray answered with a three-pointer.
• Batum hit a clutch three after Chen Xi drew defenders with shot fakes and passed to him.
• Chen Xi deflected Porter’s three-point attempt, and Batum collected the rebound.
• Chen Xi ran down the clock against Gordon, then abandoned his plan to pass to Westbrook after spotting the Nuggets’ box-and-one defense.

Chen Xi hit a clutch three to help the Thunder beat the Nuggets 137–129 and earn their first win in the Western Conference Finals, though they still trailed the series 1–2. The League announced Draymond Green as Defensive Player of the Year, while reports suggested Chen Xi might have made the shortlist without Jimmy Butler.

• Chen Xi shook Aaron Gordon and made a clutch three, extending the Thunder's lead to 10 with 1:36 remaining.
• Michael Malone put Bol Bol in to help the Nuggets speed up their offense and pursue offensive rebounds, but the Thunder countered with a rebounding-heavy lineup.
• The Thunder held on to win Game 3 by a score of 137–129, with Chen Xi recording 46 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists.
• The League named Draymond Green the 2020–21 Defensive Player of the Year, his second time winning the award.
• A reporter said Chen Xi might have made the DPOY shortlist if Jimmy Butler had not been a finalist, prompting fans to imagine Chen Xi winning both DPOY and the scoring title.

The Nets defeated the Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals to take a 2–1 series lead. The Nuggets then overwhelmed the Thunder 132–124, taking a 3–1 lead and moving within one win of eliminating the defending champions.

• Durant scored 36 points as the Nets beat the Bucks 125–112, with Giannis recording 27 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 turnovers.
• The Nets took a 2–1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.
• Jokic led the Nuggets with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and 17 assists as Denver dominated the Thunder.
• Chen Xi scored 21 points in the second quarter, but the Thunder could not overcome Denver’s lead.
• The Nuggets won 132–124 to take a 3–1 series lead over the Thunder and claim match point.

After the Thunder’s loss, Chen Xi accepted the defeat while insisting the series was not over and deflected a reporter’s questions about LeBron James. He stayed up studying game footage, then was pulled over by police on his drive home, where the officer recognized him but continued a routine check.

• Chen Xi told reporters he was frustrated by the loss but focused on winning the next game and keeping the Thunder’s chances alive.
• Chen Xi discussed the MVP race and Nikola Jokic, then grew impatient when a Los Angeles reporter pressed him about leaving LeBron James off his list of consecutive MVP winners.
• Chen Xi practiced alone for an hour after the interview and then watched footage of the Thunder’s three losses with video analysts until after three in the morning.
• Chen Xi drove home and was pulled over by a police officer investigating suspected drug dealing in the neighborhood.
• The officer recognized Chen Xi, asked for his license, registration, and proof of insurance, and questioned why he was in the area so late.

After a late-night traffic stop, Chen Xi returned home exhausted, and news of his footage study and encounter with police spread online. The Nets beat the Bucks in overtime to take a 3–1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, putting them within one win of closing out the series.

• Chen Xi told a police officer he had stayed at the arena to study footage, and the officer let him go after checking his papers.
• Chen Xi went home, showered, and went to sleep.
• Reporters published news of Chen Xi's late-night footage study and traffic stop, prompting fans to debate his work ethic and the police encounter.
• The Nets beat the Bucks in Game 4 after 53 minutes, with Durant hitting the game-winning three in overtime.
• Paul George carried the Nets during Durant's stretch of missed shots, scoring on a three, a long two, and a driving floater in overtime.

After Durant’s late three-point fadeaway gave the Nets a win over the Bucks, the Thunder faced elimination against the Nuggets in Game 5. Chen Xi opened the game aggressively, giving Oklahoma an early lead as Denver launched a counterattack.

• Durant scored 44 points and hit a turnaround three over The Greek Freak in the final defensive possession, giving the Nets the win and putting the Bucks down two straight home games.
• The chapter noted that the conference finals were taking shape, with the Nuggets and Nets drawing attention as a possible Finals matchup.
• On June 27 in Denver, the Thunder started Westbrook, Chen Xi, Batum, Davis, and Little Jordan for their do-or-die Game 5.
• Chen Xi opened the scoring with a three-pointer over Pope, then sprinted downcourt and finished Westbrook’s pass with a powerful dunk.
• Gordon stepped out of bounds to catch the Nuggets’ inbound pass and hurled it back into play to start their counterattack.

Chen Xi and Westbrook led the Thunder to a dominant first half against the Nuggets, building a 25-point lead by halftime. The Thunder carried their first-quarter momentum into the second quarter and went into the break ahead 71–46.

• Jokic grabbed his own miss and scored to give the Nuggets the first points, but Davis answered inside as the Thunder took a 7–2 lead.
• Chen Xi scored eight straight points and reached 13 in the first quarter as the Thunder pulled ahead 21–8, prompting Malone to bring in Bol Bol and Beasley.
• Beasley made the Nuggets' first three-pointer, but Westbrook answered with a layup and then stole Murray's pass for a fast-break dunk.
• The Thunder finished the first quarter ahead 39–19, with Chen Xi scoring 18 points and Westbrook recording nine points, four assists, and two steals.
• The Thunder's second-quarter pressure kept the Nuggets from mounting a comeback, and the Thunder led 71–46 at halftime.

The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 129–106 in Game 5 to take a 3–2 series lead, with Chen Xi and Anthony Davis stopping Denver’s third-quarter comeback. The All-NBA Teams were announced, and discussion turned to the pending MVP award, for which Chen Xi and Nikola Jokic stood out in advanced statistics.

• Murray and Pope led a Nuggets rally in the third quarter, but Chen Xi and Anthony Davis answered with a scoring run that restored the Thunder’s lead.
• Mike Malone pulled the Nuggets’ starters with seven minutes left, and the Thunder won Game 5, 129–106, taking a 3–2 series lead.
• Chen Xi scored 46 points with seven rebounds and nine assists, while Anthony Davis recorded 28 points and 15 rebounds and Westbrook finished with 19 points and 14 assists.
• The League announced the All-NBA Teams, naming Chen Xi to the First Team for the third time while Westbrook and Davis missed selection.
• Fans debated Chen Xi’s MVP candidacy, and the chapter highlighted his near-37-point, eight-rebound, nine-assist average and his advanced-stat standing alongside Nikola Jokic.

The Bucks beat the Nets 122–117 in Eastern Conference Finals Game 5, cutting their series deficit to 2–3 as Chris Middleton led the way. The chapter examined how Paul George’s heavy two-way workload contributed to his inconsistency and compared the Nets’ defensive reliance on him with the Heat’s and Thunder’s approaches.

• The Thunder celebrated Chen Xi’s All-NBA selection, and Chen Xi reposted their message with a call to keep improving.
• Chris Middleton scored 32 points and helped the Bucks defeat the Nets 122–117, cutting the series deficit to 2–3.
• Giannis scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while Lillard added 21 points, but Middleton’s performance led the Bucks.
• Durant scored 31 points for the Nets, while Paul George recorded 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 turnovers.
• The chapter described how George’s offensive workload could weaken his defense and compared his situation with Kawhi’s and Chen Xi’s.
• The Heat adjusted their defense to manage Kawhi’s workload, while the Thunder continued to rely on Chen Xi and Davis as defensive anchors.

Chen Xi won the 2020–2021 Regular Season MVP, earning his second consecutive award after a record-setting season. Before the Thunder's win-or-go-home game, Adam Silver prepared to present Chen with the trophy.

• The League announced Chen Xi as the Regular Season MVP, and the Thunder and Moon's agency team posted celebratory posters highlighting his awards and statistics.
• Chen's 37.4 points per game surpassed Michael Jordan's 37.1-point record, and Chen finished the MVP race with 74 first-place votes to Jokic's 26.
• The chapter noted that Jokic and the Greek Freak also had MVP-caliber seasons, but Chen's performance outshone them.
• Before the Thunder's crucial game at Chesapeake Energy Arena, the team arranged an MVP trophy presentation for Chen Xi.
• Adam Silver arrived to present Chen with the trophy, while Chen hoped the ceremony would motivate his teammates.

Chen Xi accepted his MVP trophy as Adam Silver reconsidered his potential to become a defining star of the NBA. The Thunder and Nuggets began Game 6, where Westbrook attacked the paint and passed out to Little Jordan after Jokic stood his ground.

• Chen Xi accepted another MVP trophy from Silver, raised it for a photograph, and headed to the bench.
• Silver reflected on Chen Xi’s popularity, scoring, and public image, deciding he could become a star on Michael Jordan’s level.
• The Thunder and Nuggets began Game 6 with unchanged starting lineups, and Jokic won the opening tip before Little Porter knocked the ball out of bounds.
• Westbrook used Davis’s fake screen to drive into the paint and challenge Jokic, who held his ground and blocked his path.
• Westbrook passed toward Little Jordan on the side, but he released the ball a little too late.

The Thunder and Nuggets opened Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals with intense defense and fast breaks. Chen Xi scored the first points at the free-throw line, while Davis blocked Murray and the Nuggets kept the game close as play continued.

• Westbrook committed an offensive foul against Jokic, and the Nuggets took possession.
• Pope's pressured cross-court pass forced Little Porter into the corner, and Murray's mid-range jumper missed after Davis contested it.
• Westbrook grabbed the rebound and launched a fast break, where Gordon fouled Chen Xi on his drive to the basket.
• Chen Xi made both free throws to give the Thunder a 2–0 lead.
• Davis blocked Murray's attempt at the rim, and Little Jordan recovered the ball for Chen Xi to start another fast break.
• Westbrook passed to Batum for a three-pointer, but the shot missed and Jokic secured the rebound.

The Thunder struggled to find their offense while the Nuggets’ perimeter shooters caught fire, leaving Chen Xi and Davis to carry the scoring. At halftime, the Thunder trailed 64–53, with Chen Xi and Davis having shouldered most of the first-half workload.

• Gordon ended the Nuggets’ scoring drought with a free throw, then Pope made a three to give Denver the lead after both teams adjusted their attacks toward the perimeter.
• Chen Xi sank a step-back jumper, but the Thunder’s role players continued to struggle while Pope, Little Porter, and Murray helped the Nuggets build a 34–25 lead by the end of the first quarter.
• In the second quarter, Donovan repeatedly rotated players at the two and three positions, disrupting Chen Xi’s rhythm without finding a dependable outside shooter.
• The Nuggets maintained a double-digit lead and went into halftime ahead 64–53, while Chen Xi had 21 points and Davis had 17.

Chen Xi and Westbrook led the Thunder's effort to erase the Nuggets' lead after halftime, while Jokic answered with a difficult score to steady his team. Chen Xi had the ball again with Murray preparing to help as the chapter ended.

• Westbrook rallied the Thunder in the locker room and urged his teammates to take responsibility in the second half.
• Westbrook opened the third quarter by driving past Jokic and scoring a double-clutch layup, cutting the deficit to single digits.
• Chen Xi made a pull-up three after Murray failed to double him, bringing the Thunder within six points.
• Jokic beat Davis with a spin and a one-legged fadeaway to stabilize the Nuggets' lead.
• Chen Xi began another possession at the top of the key as Murray shifted toward the strong side to help defend him.

The Thunder chipped away at Denver’s lead through Westbrook’s scoring and Anthony’s hot shooting, cutting the deficit to three by the end of the third quarter. Chen Xi returned early in the fourth as both teams prepared for a decisive stretch.

• Chen Xi drew Denver’s defense and passed to Westbrook for a two-handed dunk, helping the Thunder begin the third quarter with a 7–2 run.
• Westbrook responded to Denver leaving him open by making three of six perimeter shots and scoring seven points.
• Donovan put the Thunder in a small lineup, and Anthony scored 11 points in the final six minutes of the third quarter.
• The Thunder ended the third quarter trailing 92–89, and Malone brought Jokic back to the court to start the fourth.
• Jokic assisted Monte Morris on a backdoor cut, while Alexander missed a mid-range jumper against Murray.
• Alexander knocked the ball out of bounds on Murray’s drive, allowing Chen Xi and Gordon to check back in.

The Nuggets extended their lead while the Thunder struggled to score, and Chen Xi focused on creating chances for his teammates. With three minutes left and the Thunder trailing by six, a turnover after Chen Xi set up Davis and Little Jordan left him feeling he needed to take charge.

• Jokic grabbed Porter's missed shot and passed to Beasley, who hit a corner three for the Nuggets.
• Chen Xi passed to Gafford, who dunked to cut the Thunder's deficit by two.
• The Nuggets kept widening their lead while the Thunder's starters rested, and Davis struggled to score efficiently after returning.
• With three minutes left, the Thunder trailed 119–113 as both teams returned from a timeout.
• Chen Xi set up Davis in the post, but after Davis passed to Little Jordan, Little Jordan fumbled the ball out of bounds.

Chen Xi sparked the Thunder’s comeback with a hook shot, a fast-break layup, and a four-point play that cut Denver’s lead to two. With 57 seconds left, the Nuggets slowed the game down and worked the ball through Jokic to Little Porter.

• Chen Xi drove past Gordon, faked out Jokic, and scored with a hook shot.
• Westbrook grabbed a defensive rebound and launched a pass ahead to Chen Xi, who made a fast-break layup to cut Denver’s lead to four.
• Jokic scored a second-chance layup through Davis’s foul and made both free throws.
• Chen Xi beat a double-team with a give-and-go, hit a pull-up three, and made the free throw after Pope fouled him, cutting the lead to two.
• Murray ran down the clock before Denver’s pick-and-roll led to Jokic drawing a double-team and passing to Little Porter in the corner.

Chen Xi suffered a hamstring strain late in Game 6 and was ruled out, leaving the Thunder unable to complete a comeback. The Nuggets won the Western Conference Finals 4–2 and advanced to the NBA Finals, while Chen Xi left for the locker room for further evaluation.

• Jokic secured an offensive rebound, drew a foul, and made both free throws to preserve the Nuggets' lead.
• Chen Xi drove past Gordon, cramped in his right thigh, and lost the ball as Gordon scored on a fast break.
• The team doctor suspected a hamstring strain, and Donovan replaced Chen Xi with SGA for the rest of the game.
• Westbrook scored a three-point play after the timeout, but the Nuggets controlled the clock and Murray made his free throws.
• Westbrook missed a forced three-pointer, and the Nuggets won the series 4–2 to advance to the Finals.

After Oklahoma lost to Denver in the Western Conference Finals, Chen Xi comforted his teammates and defended the team at the postgame press conference. Back home, he accepted the defeat and thought about the interrupted Dynasty Quest objectives as he looked ahead to next season.

• Chen Xi welcomed his returning teammates, urged them to remember the loss, and promised they would climb a new mountain next season.
• Chen Xi told Donovan to rest and recover, while Westbrook and the others encouraged Chen Xi to heal his injury before leading them again.
• Chen Xi joined Donovan at the press conference, praised Denver, rejected speculation about what might have happened, and declared that nobody would want to face Oklahoma next season.
• Chen Xi went home with a grade two hamstring strain and reflected on his 37-point, 7-rebound, 18-assist performance, the loss, and the interrupted Dynasty Quest objectives.