Chapter Summaries

New York fans packed the streets and Madison Square Garden as the Knicks prepared to host the Lakers in Game 7 of the 1999-2000 NBA Finals. With the series tied 3-3, the chapter ended as TNT’s commentators previewed the decisive matchup before tipoff.

• Knicks fans filled New York’s roads, restaurants, and bars, cheering Li Fei and the team ahead of Game 7.
• Fans queued outside Madison Square Garden, buying Knicks merchandise and sharing their excitement as the arena doors opened at four in the afternoon.
• The crowd packed the arena, sang the Knicks’ team song, and roared when Li Fei appeared on the giant screen.
• Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton began TNT’s pregame coverage, describing the tied series and the teams’ strengths.
• Bill Walton noted that historical statistics favored home teams in Game 7s as the Knicks and Lakers prepared for tipoff.

The Knicks and Lakers prepared for Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, with the home crowd rallying behind Li Fei and his teammates. After the introductions and final warmups, both teams were ready for tip-off.

• Kevin Harlan described the Knicks' home-court advantage and analyzed the strengths of both teams before the game.
• Kobe, O'Neal, and the Lakers entered the court and began warming up amid boos and cheers.
• Li Fei led the Knicks out of the tunnel as Madison Square Garden erupted in support.
• The arena announcer introduced both lineups, and Kobe responded to the crowd's boos with a quiet gesture.
• Li Fei practiced mid-range shots while Sprewell, Houston, and Sabonis worked on their skills before the game.

The Knicks and Lakers prepared for Game 7 of the NBA Finals as Li Fei and Kobe focused on the decisive matchup. Kobe and O'Neal faced reporters with serious promises to win, leaving the teams ready to take the court.

• Kobe practiced three-pointers and O'Neal worked on dunks while commentators assessed both teams before tip-off.
• The Knicks and Lakers returned to their benches as Li Fei calmly watched the court and Kobe prepared to defeat the Knicks.
• Kobe told reporters he felt no nervousness and that the Lakers would not back down from the decisive game.
• O'Neal acknowledged this was his first NBA Finals Game 7 and vowed to overpower the Knicks inside like a diesel engine running at full throttle.

Before Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Li Fei and Sabonis spoke confidently about leading the Knicks against the Lakers, while the teams prepared for the decisive game. As the arena lights came on, the tension mounted ahead of the opening whistle.

• Reporters gathered around Li Fei, who recalled winning a previous Finals Game 7 and said he intended to lead the Knicks to a three-peat.
• Sabonis acknowledged O'Neal's strength and vowed to defend the paint and give everything to help the Knicks win.
• Kobe focused quietly on his game, while O'Neal tried to appear relaxed despite his nerves.
• Li Fei discussed final tactics with Sprewell and Allan Houston as Sabonis prepared for the game.
• Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton commented on the players' interviews and the pressure surrounding Game 7.
• The arena lights came on as both teams waited for the game to begin.

Madison Square Garden filled with celebrities, NBA legends, and wealthy fans for the record-breaking Game 7 between the Knicks and Lakers. As Li Fei and O'Neal prepared for the opening tip, the chapter left the championship showdown moments from beginning.

• Barkley, Pippen, and Olajuwon watched courtside while Michael Jordan observed the game alone.
• Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, and Will Smith joined the many celebrities awaiting tip-off.
• Kevin Harlan and Marv Albert reported that Game 7 tickets had reached record prices, with regular seats costing over ten thousand dollars.
• Li Fei and O'Neal took their places for the opening tip as both teams' starters readied themselves.
• Barkley watched Li Fei and believed his former teammate could lead the Knicks to victory.

Li Fei won the opening tip and helped the Knicks break the Lakers' double-team, setting up Allan Houston's first basket. The Lakers then fed Shaquille O'Neal in the post, where Li Fei prepared to defend him one-on-one.

• Li Fei beat O'Neal to the opening tip and tipped the ball to Allan Houston.
• When the Lakers trapped Li Fei with O'Neal and Fox, Li Fei passed to Sabonis, who found Houston for a successful mid-range shot.
• The Knicks celebrated the basket and retreated on defense as the Lakers began their first possession.
• Fisher passed the ball to O'Neal under the basket, and Li Fei faced him alone while the Knicks left Sabonis free to protect the rim.

Li Fei blocked O'Neal's opening attack in Game 7, then sparked a fast break that earned Sprewell two free throws. Sprewell roared back from a hard fall and prepared to shoot, with the result of his first free throw still unknown.

• O'Neal tried to overpower Li Fei in the paint, but Li Fei blocked his shot and sent the ball out of bounds.
• Li Fei recovered the ball and passed it to Sprewell, who drove upcourt and drew a foul while attempting a layup.
• Sprewell got back up after falling, roared with determination, and received encouragement from Li Fei.
• Sprewell stepped to the free-throw line and released his shot as the arena watched.

The Knicks opened Game 7 with a 6–0 lead after Li Fei blocked the Lakers and Sprewell made two free throws. The Lakers began their next attack with Kobe drawing a defensive foul on Allan Houston, leaving Kobe at the free-throw line.

• Sprewell made both free throws to extend the Knicks' lead to 6–0.
• Phil Jackson urged the Lakers to adjust, while Kobe and O'Neal prepared to fight back against Li Fei and the Knicks.
• The Lakers inbounded the ball, and Kobe took over the offense after O'Neal lost his early momentum.
• Kobe drove past Allan Houston, who fouled him as both players lost their balance.
• The referee called a defensive foul on Houston, and Kobe went to the free-throw line.

The Knicks and Lakers fought through a bruising first quarter of Game 7, with Li Fei shutting down O'Neal and Kobe carrying the Lakers' offense. Kobe's buzzer-beater tied the score at 8-8 as the teams headed into the second quarter.

• Kobe made both free throws after Houston fouled him, cutting the Lakers' deficit to 6-4.
• Li Fei repeatedly stopped O'Neal at the basket, while Kobe became the Lakers' main source of offense.
• Li Fei scored over O'Neal with a mid-range jumper to put the Knicks ahead 8-6 with 30 seconds left in the quarter.
• Kobe hit a mid-range shot at the buzzer to tie the game 8-8.
• The TNT and China Central Television commentators recapped the physical first quarter and anticipated the teams' next adjustments.

Chinese fans across the country watched the tied Game 7 between the Knicks and Lakers, cheering for Li Fei after his strong first quarter. The chapter ended with nationwide excitement and social media anticipation for the second quarter.

• Zhang Weiping praised the intensity and fighting spirit of the low-scoring first quarter.
• Fans in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu watched the game and celebrated Li Fei’s plays while reacting to Kobe’s buzzer-beater.
• Villagers, airport passengers, hospital patients, and office workers across China followed the game and cheered for Li Fei and the Knicks.
• Netizens discussed the 8–8 tie, Li Fei’s six points, four rebounds, and two blocks, and hoped he would lead the Knicks to victory.

Kobe and Phil Jackson encouraged Shaquille O'Neal after Li Fei shut him down in the first quarter, while Jeff Van Gundy prepared the Knicks to pressure Kobe and keep Li Fei on O'Neal. The second quarter began with O'Neal passing out of a double-resistant post-up, and Allan Houston's jumper put the Knicks ahead 10–8.

• Kobe urged Shaquille O'Neal to regain his confidence and fight alongside him in the second quarter.
• Phil Jackson reassured O'Neal and planned to give him more touches while asking him to focus first on defense.
• Jeff Van Gundy assigned Sprewell to pressure Kobe, Marshall to help, and Li Fei to guard O'Neal while leading the Knicks' offense.
• Sprewell forced Kobe to pass to O'Neal, who could not move Li Fei and kicked the ball out to Horry.
• Horry missed a three-pointer, Sabonis secured the rebound, and Li Fei set up Allan Houston for a jumper that gave the Knicks a 10–8 lead.

The Knicks and Lakers traded baskets in a tightly contested second quarter as Li Fei kept New York ahead with his mid-range shooting and O'Neal strengthened Los Angeles's defense. With the buzzer sounding, Li Fei launched a contested three-pointer, leaving the shot's result unresolved.

• O'Neal ended his scoring drought with a dunk to tie the game at 10-10, then helped the Lakers with rebounds and rim protection.
• Li Fei scored over a double-team to put the Knicks ahead 14-12, while Kobe and Allan Houston kept their teams within reach.
• Both teams intensified their defense as the score remained close, drawing tense reactions from courtside spectators and fans watching in China.
• With 15 seconds left in the second quarter, Horry missed a three-pointer, and Sabonis rebounded before passing to Li Fei.
• Li Fei raced up the court and released a fading three-pointer against Kobe as the buzzer sounded; the ball's result was not shown.

Li Fei hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Knicks a 28–26 lead over the Lakers at halftime in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He left the court with 30 first-half points as the commentators and Barkley praised his performance, with the outcome still uncertain.

• Li Fei made a buzzer-beating three over Kobe, and the Knicks ended the second quarter ahead 28–26.
• Kobe reacted with frustration, while O'Neal recognized the shot's impact on the Lakers' morale.
• The halftime stats showed Li Fei leading all scorers with 30 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists.
• Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton praised Li Fei's performance and discussed the close contest ahead.
• Barkley cheered Li Fei on and urged him to lead the Knicks to the championship in the second half.

Li Fei led the Knicks to a 28-26 halftime lead over the Lakers in Game 7 after scoring 30 points, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer over Kobe. As the teams prepared for the second half, sports coverage highlighted Li Fei’s performance and the game’s record-setting audience.

• Li Fei’s 30-point first half earned applause from Jordan and celebrities, while the Knicks and Lakers regrouped for the second half.
• Kobe vowed to rally the Lakers, and O'Neal resolved to regain his offensive rhythm after scoring only 4 points.
• Fans in Madison Square Garden and China cheered for Li Fei as discussion of his first-half performance topped social media.
• ESPN reported the Knicks’ 28-26 halftime lead and detailed Li Fei’s 30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 assists.
• Yahoo Sports reported that the game drew record viewership, with U.S. ratings above 18.7% and more than 50 million online viewers in China.
• Sports Illustrated described the matchup as an evenly matched showdown and noted Li Fei’s sports brand’s competition with Nike, Adidas, and Jordan's AJ Brand.

After Li Fei’s 30-point first half gave the Knicks a two-point lead over the Lakers in Game 7, the performance set off a frenzy among fans and sports media. During halftime, both teams prepared to fight on without major tactical changes, leaving the championship contest poised for a hard-fought second half.

• TNT Sports and sports forums highlighted Li Fei’s unprecedented 30-point half and his buzzer-beating three.
• Fans across the United States reacted to the close game, while a huge crowd gathered beneath a Manhattan screen to watch the halftime coverage.
• Phil Jackson told the Lakers that desire and willpower, not new tactics, would decide the game.
• Kobe vowed to lead the Lakers’ comeback, while O’Neal resolved to play tougher and break through Li Fei’s defense.
• Jeff Van Gundy urged the Knicks to maintain their defensive intensity and battle for every rebound.
• Li Fei remained calm and showed no fatigue as the Knicks prepared for the second half.

At halftime, Li Fei steadied the Knicks and urged them to maintain their defense and composure against the Lakers’ expected comeback. The third quarter began with both teams locked in a scoreless stretch of brutal physical play, while record viewership thrilled NBA Commissioner David Stern.

• Li Fei told the Knicks to keep their pace, protect the paint, and fight for every possession as they pursued a three-peat.
• The Knicks and Lakers returned to Madison Square Garden for the third quarter and immediately intensified their physical defense.
• Sprewell continued hounding Kobe, while Li Fei held his ground against O'Neal and both teams missed their early shots.
• Neither team scored a field goal during the first five minutes of the third quarter, leaving the score at 28-26.
• TNT reported record-breaking Finals viewership, and David Stern watched the contest with excitement, believing it would become a classic matchup.

Kobe broke the third-quarter field-goal drought, and Li Fei answered with a baseline jumper as the Knicks and Lakers traded baskets in a tense duel. Li Fei put the Knicks ahead 40–38 just before the buzzer, and Kobe missed a last-second shot.

• Kobe made a mid-range jumper over Li Fei and Sabonis, ending both teams’ field-goal drought in the third quarter.
• Li Fei answered with a baseline jumper over O'Neal and Fox as the Knicks’ offense came alive.
• Li Fei and Kobe traded mid-range baskets while both teams kept the score close.
• Li Fei scored with a minute left to give the Knicks a 38–35 lead, but Kobe completed a three-point play to tie the game at 38–38.
• Li Fei hit another mid-range jumper with ten seconds left to put the Knicks ahead 40–38, and Kobe’s final shot rimmed out as the third quarter ended.

The Knicks and Lakers stayed locked in a close Game 7 Finals battle, with Li Fei and Kobe leading their teams through the fourth quarter. With three minutes left and the score tied at 52-52, Fisher hit a three-pointer to put the Lakers ahead.

• After three quarters, the Knicks held a 40-38 lead as Li Fei, Kobe, and O'Neal led their teams' performances.
• The fourth quarter began with both teams centering their offenses on their star players and trading the lead.
• The game reached its final three minutes tied at 52-52.
• Kobe drew the defense and passed to Fisher, who sank a three-pointer for the Lakers.

In Game 7 of the Finals, Fisher’s clutch three put the Lakers ahead before Sabonis answered with a tough 2+1 to tie the score. Sabonis then stripped O’Neal and dived for the loose ball, bloodying his mouth and inspiring the Knicks as the final minutes continued with the championship undecided.

• Fisher hit a clutch three-pointer to give the Lakers a 55-52 lead.
• Sabonis grabbed an offensive rebound, scored through a foul, and made the free throw to tie the game at 55.
• Sabonis stood his ground against O’Neal’s post-up and stripped the ball from him.
• Sabonis dove out toward the sideline to save the loose ball, striking his mouth on the court and bleeding.
• Li Fei patted Sabonis on the shoulder as his effort fired up the Knicks and intensified the teams’ battle in the final three minutes.

After Sabonis injured his mouth diving for a loose ball, his bloodied determination rallied the Knicks and moved fans around the world. During the timeout, Li Fei praised Sabonis and vowed to take over the game as the players returned to the court.

• Sabonis's bloody effort stunned the Knicks, and the crowd at Madison Square Garden erupted in cheers and tears.
• Jeff Van Gundy called a timeout so the team doctor could treat Sabonis and the Knicks could regroup.
• Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton praised Sabonis's sacrifice during the broadcast.
• Li Fei told Sabonis that the team had seen his effort and promised to carry the rest of the fight for the championship.
• Sabonis affirmed his resolve, and Li Fei prepared to shoulder the Knicks' offense as the timeout ended.