8 Three-Pointers Thrown, Step-Back Fadeaway Three-Pointer for the Win!

Duhong had said he would create opportunities for Su Yan, but that didn't mean... letting him attack alone. Just now, he was at the top of the key on the right side, with a defender in front of him.

Passing directly to Gallinari in the right corner was risky—easy to read, and the chance might not materialize. Letting Su Yan relay it once would definitely open up the opportunity.

Clearly.

Gallinari, also a shooter, had a better chance.

But Su Yan went straight for the long-range shot, as if he had made up his mind, throwing caution to the wind.

It was an unreasonable shot.

No wonder Duhong was fuming.

Yet... for Su Yan, who possessed the [Max Level Three-Pointer], his three-pointers were inherently unreasonable.

But they went in.

Duhong swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue, pulling a Sichuan Opera Face Change just like Larry Hughes had before.

How many?

The 7th three-pointer.

The first five, the Thunder hadn't paid much attention—Su Yan shot them easily. The last two, he slowly found his opportunities.

But he seized them.

In short: Su Yan, during so-called garbage time, drained 7 three-pointers, helping his team cut a once 20-point deficit.

Down to just 1 point.

More importantly, after this game, he would earn at least 21,000 USD.

And his 10-day short-term contract was only worth 20,000 USD total.

This was truly sweet.

"Making bank, hehehe~"

Su Yan grinned like a fool.

Harden saw this and sneered, "Look at you, so easily pleased. I've got 30 points, and am I bragging?!"

Though efficient.

But don't get it twisted—your team is still down by 1 point. If you lose, it's a total milestone!"

20.9 seconds on the clock.

Durant had the ball. In theory, if they just ran out the clock, they could secure the win.

The Knicks weren't having it.

"Full-court double team!"

D'Antoni shouted from the sidelines.

Everyone understood—Gallinari, Duhong, Su Yan, and the rest—the entire Knicks squad pressed full-court.

Best case, they'd stop them.

If not, they'd foul.

The Thunder's Big Three took turns receiving the ball, refusing to give the Knicks a chance to steal, content not to attack themselves.

Time kept ticking.

20.9 seconds.

15.3 seconds.

10.7 seconds.

5.8 seconds.

Still couldn't strip the ball. David Lee saw no other option and decisively fouled Harden, who was holding the ball.

Sending him to the free-throw line.

So far this season.

Durant's free-throw percentage was 90%, Harden's 80%, Westbrook's 78%.

It seemed best to let Westbrook shoot.

But David Lee figured Harden, being a rookie, might not handle the pressure in a clutch moment.

That reasoning was sound.

"Clang!"

"Swish!"

The slightly green Harden was indeed under immense pressure.

The first free throw missed, and the second one bounced on the rim a couple times before wobbling in.

One of two.

Brother Harden, you're really nervous.

Watching Harden's terrible free throws, Su Yan wanted to tell him, "Have a Mai Dong."

Out of form at the critical moment? Anytime, anywhere, Mai Dong brings it back!!!

Score difference: two points.

Time left: 5.8 seconds.

"Beep beep!"

D'Antoni called a timeout.

He said in a low voice, "5.8 seconds, plenty of time. We can run a full offensive set.

Priority goes to Su Yan for a three-point game-winner.

Or play it safe, create an opportunity for David Lee under the basket, and force overtime first!"

"Got it."

Everyone acknowledged.

D'Antoni patted Su Yan on the shoulder and encouraged him, "Su Yan, don't be nervous. Relax.

You've already done enough tonight.

No pressure from here on out. Play the way you have been, and if the chance comes, shoot decisively.

We all believe in you."

No need to tell me that. As long as you dare give me the chance, I'm definitely taking it.

Come on.

If I make it, that's 3000 USD. If I miss and we lose, I've got nothing to lose.

Relax, I'm not nervous at all. Give me the ball, and I'll go for it.

Su Yan's expression was firm, and he said seriously, "Yes, Coach! I'll do my best to hit the shot when the opportunity comes!!!"

Over on the Thunder side.

Defensive strategy: give up the two, lock down the three. As long as they don't get beaten by a game-winner, everything's still possible.

Key point: clamp down on Su Yan.

Even though no one thought much of him, he had still nailed seven three-pointers for real—they had to respect it.

Before long.

The game resumed.

"Boom!"

The home Knicks fans erupted with deafening cheers. Everyone was waiting to see the game-winner.

And not just any game-winner.

If the Knicks won, it would be an epic 20-point comeback—a historic turnaround.

20-point comeback + game-winner + ending a 10-game losing streak.

The Knicks fans craved it.

It would also set the league on fire.

At the midcourt sideline, David Lee—tall and with decent ball-handling—prepared to inbound. Harrington, Gallinari, and Su Yan, the three shooters, started moving.

On the Thunder side.

Durant and Harden both chased Su Yan, while the others also kept an eye on him, not letting him get a chance to catch the ball.

On the Knicks side.

Gallinari, Harrington, and Duhong—seemingly running routes to find openings—were actually setting screens for Su Yan.

"???"

At the commentary desk.

Reggie Miller couldn't help but exclaim, "Su Yan, a benchwarmer, has become the offensive and defensive core for both teams.

The Thunder are watching him, not letting him shoot.

The Knicks are relying on him, creating three-point chances for him.

An undrafted player getting this kind of treatment in a decisive moment—that's really rare!!!"

"Haha!"

Barkley rubbed his shiny bald head and laughed, "If you hit seven three-pointers in five minutes, you'd get the same treatment."

On the court.

Su Yan used the screen to run continuous zigzag patterns, trying to shake off Durant and Harden and find an opening to catch the ball.

But the "Thunder's Big Three" were freakishly talented and had seen through the Knicks' offensive strategy—they locked onto Su Yan.

He simply couldn't shake them.

What to do?

Let the other players take the three-pointer?

Too unreliable.

Su Yan wouldn't accept that either. If someone else shot, it meant those 3000 USD were gone, and that hurt worse than death.

"I need the ball!"

Su Yan gritted his teeth and burst out, sprinting all the way to the perimeter near the Logo Area.

David Lee was also focused on finding Su Yan, trusting him completely.

"Whoosh~"

Even though the position near the logo wasn't ideal, getting the ball was the priority. Otherwise, a five-second inbound violation would ruin everything.

"Smack!"

Su Yan caught the ball successfully.

Even in the Logo Area, if he were unguarded, Su Yan's three-point skill—surpassing Curry at his peak and reaching a near-mythical level—meant he'd dare to shoot.

But... Harden chased out anyway, refusing to give Su Yan a comfortable release.

Force a logo shot?

That wasn't smart.

Time was ticking. Su Yan had no time to overthink. The moment he caught the ball, he accelerated to the right wing and charged forward.

No logo shot.

He was also certain that Harden, closing in, wouldn't dare make a reckless move. A three-shot foul would ruin everything too.

5.8 seconds.

4.7 seconds.

3.2 seconds.

Su Yan charged to the top of the key on the right side, but he still hadn't shaken Harden, and time was almost gone.

"Screech!"

Su Yan slammed on the brakes, took a big step to the right, and created half a body's distance from Harden.

Without a hint of hesitation, he rose into a drifting three-point shot, launching it over Harden's block.

Released at 2.4 seconds.

The spinning ball arced through the air toward the basket as time expired, and the red light flashed.

Everything came down to this one three-pointer.

Miss, and they lose.

Make it, and it's a game-winner!!!