Tang Tian was not an impulsive person. On the contrary, having lived through an entire lifetime, he was usually calm in a way that did not resemble a young man.
But this time, he was truly angry—angrier even than when Pachulia had committed that ankle-breaking foul.
Attacking someone's family on the court was already going too far, let alone attacking someone who had already passed away.
When Pachulia had committed that ankle-breaking foul, Tang Tian had thrown a punch. Now, he was ready to teach Reeves a lesson too.
Reeves drove past Joe Harris and soared in for a layup, scoring two points.
Harrell's catch-and-finish layup in the frontcourt was stopped by Aldridge.
The Clippers pushed the fast break. Reeves used a three-point shot pull-up fake move to deceive Harris, drove into the paint, shook off Harrell, and scored another layup.
Reeves put together a Personal Scoring Run, helping the Clippers cut into the deficit again and again.
He had joined the Clippers two years earlier and received plenty of Playing Time under Rivers. His improvement had been obvious as well.
Stephenson missed a three-point shot from outside. Harrell grabbed the offensive rebound and powered up for a shot, drawing a defensive foul from Aldridge.
Harrell got two free throw opportunities, and the game entered a dead ball situation.
Tang Tian checked in for Stephenson.
The substitution stirred up the on-site fans.
It was already Garbage Time, and Tang Tian was still checking in? Was he stat padding?
But that did not seem right. With 30+ points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds, Tang Tian's numbers were already incredible.
No one could guess why Tang Tian had entered the game.
The players on both sides of the court were equally confused.
Harrell made one of two free throws.
96 to 69.