Within fifteen minutes of the final buzzer, sports media across the United States were all doing the same thing—putting "3–2" in their headlines.
Not "Knicks win," not "Lakers lose," but "Knicks move one win from the title."
A massive photo filled the entire screen on ESPN's homepage.
It wasn't a shot of Li Fei dunking or Kobe taking a jumper. It captured the moment Li Fei passed to Sprewell cutting to the basket while being double-teamed in the fourth quarter.
His eyes looked left, the ball flew right, and his face betrayed nothing.
The headline read: "77 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks. Li Fei delivers the greatest individual performance in NBA Finals history as Knicks take a 3–2 lead, one win from the title."
TNT's homepage took a more emotional approach.
Their photo showed Li Fei and Sabonis embracing after the game.
The 2.24-meter Li Fei bent down, wrapping his arms around the 2.21-meter Sabonis. Both men's jerseys were soaked through.
The headline read: "One more game. The veteran and the new king are one win away from a three-peat."
Woj's column went live within ten minutes of the game's end. It was a lengthy piece with a long headline, but its very first sentence set the tone.
"Game 5 of the NBA Finals. New York. Madison Square Garden. Li Fei: 77 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks. Knicks 112, Lakers 98. A 3–2 series lead. This wasn't an ordinary victory. It was a declaration. Li Fei was telling the world—this is my era, this is my league, and no one can stop me."
The front page of The New York Times' sports section featured a photo of Li Fei hitting a fadeaway jumper in the first quarter.
His body leaned slightly backward in midair,