The on-site fans had gone through an emotional roller coaster, and the Cavaliers players even more so.
One second ago, they had been thrilled to bring the series back to Cleveland. The next, they learned they had already been eliminated.
Going from heaven to hell took only a few minutes.
James was the first to leave the court.
He had experienced scenes like this far too many times.
Making it to the Finals, only to fall short of the championship.
He truly did not want to go through that again.
The other Cavaliers players also gradually left the arena.
They were not generous enough to stay and watch the Pelicans celebrate their championship.
The Handshake Ceremony meant absolutely nothing to them now.
Still, some people remained.
Jones, Love, Irving, and a handful of other players stayed to complete the Handshake Ceremony with the Pelicans before leaving the court.
Irving was the last to go. He looked over the court and at Tang Tian, his gaze filled with reluctance, before finally turning and entering the players' tunnel.
Meanwhile, New Orleans Arena had already descended into wild celebration.
The fans took out the streamers they had prepared long ago and fired them into the air.
Streamers filled the sky, while the Pelicans players celebrated wildly on the court.
Brogdon and Siakam bounced around like joyous kangaroos, hopping back and forth across the court.
The excitement in Davis and Holiday's eyes seemed almost tangible.
Gentry excitedly embraced Stevens on the sidelines.
Bojan and Williams somehow found buckets full of champagne and dumped them over Stevens and Gentry.
After celebrating with his teammates, Tang Tian had gone to the sidelines to stand with Olson and his two sons, kissing and hugging them while shamelessly flaunting his affection.
Only David West, the tough guy, sat