The two-day schedule passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the highly anticipated Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals officially tipped off in Oakland.
"I'm not going to say we need to try our best to win tonight. I'm definitely not going to say what happens if we lose. I just want to say, screw the Pelicans, screw New Orleans. We will win. We have to win!"
Before the game, Green raised his voice in the Warriors' locker room and delivered a rousing speech.
"Who are we?!"
"The Warriors!"
"What do we want?!"
"The championship!"
It had to be said that Green's role as the locker room leader was especially apparent at the crucial moment.
Cole's targeted tactical arrangements before the game, combined with Green's pep talk, had sent the Warriors' morale soaring.
Oracle Arena was already packed to capacity. Fans held up signs calling for a Game 7, urging the team to win tonight's game.
At the same time, in New Orleans on the Gulf Coast, Pelicans fans also streamed into New Orleans Arena to watch through the live LED broadcast.
Many fans had even prepared streamers and other celebration supplies, getting ready to celebrate the possible Western Conference championship.
At the Commentary Booth in Oracle Arena, in addition to Mike Breen and Reggie Miller, there was also special guest Mitchael Thompson.
ESPN had originally wanted to invite Dell Curry, but Old Curry worried that his commentary would be too biased and politely declined.
"This could be the Warriors' final game of the season. If they can't make effective adjustments, then the Pelicans will defeat them here tonight and march proudly into the Finals."
Commentary needed both a good cop and a bad cop to be interesting, and Breen was playing the good cop tonight.