Chapter Summaries

The Pelicans overwhelmed the Hornets in the season opener, with Tang Tian and his teammates building a 19-point lead by the end of the first quarter. Walker watched from the bench as his confident start to the season turned into a crushing defeat.

• Tang Tian greeted Walker and Jeremy Lin before the game, and Walker told Tang Tian he felt more confident than ever.
• Jokic opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and Tang Tian and Ariza helped the Pelicans race to an 8–0 lead.
• Walker scored for the Hornets, but Davis blocked Jefferson and Tang Tian finished a fast break with a soaring dunk to make it 10–2.
• The Pelicans’ defense and shooting kept the Hornets from finding answers, and they led 32–13 at the end of the first quarter.
• Walker looked at the score and Tang Tian during the break, and the group chat notification said Walker had left.

The Pelicans opened the season with four straight wins, overwhelming the Hornets, Nets, Hawks, and Lakers. After the Lakers game, Kobe announced that he would retire after the season.

• The Pelicans beat the Hornets 95-72, and Tang Tian joked in a courtside interview that the team’s shooting came from using Rejoice shampoo.
• Stevens praised the opening win but urged the Pelicans to improve their defense and offense.
• The Pelicans defeated the Nets 102-84 after a decisive third quarter, then beat the Hawks 105-83 on the second night of a back-to-back.
• The Pelicans beat the Lakers at Staples Center to extend their winning streak to four games.
• Kobe told reporters that his basketball career was ending and confirmed he would retire after the season.

Kobe confirmed he would retire after the season, while Tang Tian and the Pelicans extended their winning streak to five by beating the Jazz. Their next game against Durant’s undefeated Thunder set up a high-profile test of the Pelicans’ strength.

• Kobe announced on social media that he would retire after the season, and Tang Tian messaged him to enjoy his final year.
• Tang Tian and Davis took over in the Fourth Quarter to lead the Pelicans past the Jazz 96-85 and secure their fifth straight win.
• The Pelicans prepared to face Durant and the undefeated Thunder in a matchup fans anticipated as the Tang-Durant showdown.
• Durant rallied his teammates before the game and urged them to claim their fifth win of the season.
• Stevens stressed defensive details to the Pelicans, aiming to make defense their greatest weapon against the Thunder.

The Pelicans and Thunder battled to a 45-45 halftime tie as Tang Tian and Durant led a first-half scoring duel. At halftime, Stevens told Tang Tian to guard Durant in the second half and asked the other Pelicans starters to carry more of the scoring.

• Adams won the opening tip, and Durant scored twice as the Thunder took an early 4-0 lead.
• Stevens urged the Pelicans to improve their defense, and Tang Tian scored on a fast break after Davis stopped Westbrook's layup.
• Tang Tian and Durant traded baskets as the Pelicans struggled offensively, with Tang Tian scoring 20 points and Durant scoring 21 before halftime.
• Stevens assigned Tang Tian to guard Durant in the second half and told Davis, Jokic, and Holiday to score more.

The Pelicans turned a tied game into a commanding lead after Tang Tian shut down Durant on defense, but Kanter helped the Thunder cut into the deficit in the fourth quarter. Stevens sent Tang Tian back in to attack Roberson one-on-one, setting up a test of Tang Tian’s newly acquired Triple Threat ability.

• Davis and Holiday scored as the Pelicans opened the second half with a 6-0 run.
• Stevens assigned Tang Tian to guard Durant, who missed shots and lost the ball to him as Tang Tian repeatedly disrupted his offense.
• The Pelicans outscored the Thunder 28-12 in the third quarter and took a 16-point lead.
• Bojan made a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter, but Kanter scored repeatedly inside as the Thunder cut the deficit to nine.
• Stevens brought Tang Tian back into the game, and Tang Tian faced Roberson one-on-one in a Triple Threat stance.

Tang Tian dominated the fourth quarter against the Thunder, using his improved Triple Threat moves to score and create easy baskets as the Pelicans pulled away. New Orleans won 103–91, extending its winning streak to six games while ending Oklahoma City's at four.

• Tang Tian repeatedly beat Roberson off the dribble and scored as the Pelicans maintained a double-digit lead.
• After the Thunder began double-teaming him, Tang Tian fooled Roberson and Waiters, then passed to an unguarded Biyombo for a dunk that pushed the lead to 15 points.
• Durant returned to the game but initially missed shots, while Dinwiddie scored on a fast break off Tang Tian's pass.
• Tang Tian deceived Roberson and Durant for a layup and an-and-one, giving the Pelicans a 20-point lead with about eight minutes left.
• Durant later found his shooting touch, but the Pelicans won 103–91; Tang Tian finished with 37 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block.

The Pelicans beat the Thunder and Suns, then won their next three home games to open the season 10-0 and set a franchise record. Tang Tian’s late-game scoring helped seal wins, while the Thunder’s Durant left the story on a sour note after smashing his phone.

• Bojan read social-media praise for Tang Tian aloud in the Pelicans’ locker room, and Stevens reviewed defensive mistakes after the Thunder game.
• Durant smashed his phone after reading online comparisons with Tang Tian, then left the Thunder locker room as Collison continued addressing the team.
• The Pelicans crushed the Suns 115-85 in Phoenix, with Porzingis scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
• The Pelicans beat the Magic and Bulls handily, then Tang Tian scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to seal a win over the Trail Blazers.
• The Pelicans improved to 10-0, setting the best start in franchise history.

The Pelicans extended their winning streak to 15 games as they prepared to face the Celtics in Boston on Thanksgiving. Danny Ainge publicly said Brad Stevens should thank Boston for giving him an NBA coaching opportunity, and Tang Tian rallied the Pelicans to make the Celtics remember the game.

• The Pelicans defeated the Bucks, Wizards, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and Pacers, reaching a 15-0 record while the Warriors also remained undefeated.
• The Pelicans traveled to Boston to face the Celtics, whose coach, McHale, had built a strong defense and whose 9-7 record put them fifth in the Eastern Conference.
• Danny Ainge told reporters that Stevens should thank Boston for giving him an opportunity to coach in the NBA.
• Stevens said he was grateful to Boston and its fans for supporting his team, but media headlines presented his remarks as agreement with Ainge.
• Bojan and the Pelicans grew angry at Ainge's comments, and Tang Tian urged the team to give Boston an unforgettable Thanksgiving.

The Celtics faced the Pelicans in a packed TD Garden, hoping their defense could end New Orleans’ winning streak. Tang Tian exploited a mismatch to score, and Stevens applauded his decision, revealing the trust and freedom Tang Tian had in Stevens’ system.

• Danny Ainge watched from the stands, confident that a Celtics victory would strengthen the team and McHale’s standing.
• Davis won the opening tip for the Pelicans, but Boston stopped their first possession with a double-team and a defensive rotation.
• Davis blocked Sullinger’s attempt and secured the rebound after the Celtics struggled to score.
• Tang Tian called Jokic up for a screen, beat Sullinger off the dribble, and dunked to give the Pelicans the first points.
• Stevens applauded Tang Tian’s change to the play, showing that he trusted Tang Tian’s on-court judgment.

Tang Tian and the Pelicans overwhelmed the Celtics from the opening tip, building a huge lead through dominant offense and defense. The Pelicans’ reserves kept scoring in the fourth quarter, extending the margin beyond 30 points.

• Tang Tian and Jokic repeatedly exploited the Celtics’ defense, helping the Pelicans open with an 8-0 run and take a 15-2 lead.
• McHale brought Isaiah Thomas and Olynyk off the bench, but Tang Tian targeted Thomas as the Pelicans maintained control.
• The Pelicans led 80-55 after three quarters, prompting Stevens to begin the fourth with reserve players.
• Harrell grabbed an offensive rebound, drew Lee’s foul, made one free throw, then recovered the miss and dunked over Lee.
• Bojan hit a three-pointer, and Dinwiddie assisted McGee on an alley-oop that pushed the Pelicans’ lead beyond 30 points.

The Pelicans crushed the Celtics before narrowly defeating the Spurs to extend their winning streak to seventeen games. With a showdown against the Warriors approaching, Curry led Tang Tian in the first MVP rankings, sparking debate among fans.

• The Pelicans defeated the Celtics 112-73, and Smart stayed behind to greet Stevens after the game.
• Tang Tian asked Duncan whether he would have a retirement tour, but Duncan indicated he would leave the announcement until he was ready to retire.
• Tang Tian stole Leonard's clutch shot and scored on a fast break as the Pelicans beat the Spurs 91-88 for their seventeenth straight win.
• The Warriors also won, setting up a December 6 showdown with the Pelicans as both teams carried sixteen-game winning streaks.
• The league named Stevens Coach of the Month and Curry Player of the Month, while Curry ranked ahead of Tang Tian in the first MVP standings.
• Fans debated whether Curry's statistics or Tang Tian's team success gave either player the edge in the MVP race.

The Warriors and Pelicans prepared for a heavily publicized showdown between two unbeaten teams on historic winning streaks. After both sides made their final preparations and the commentators debated their chances, the starters took the court for the game.

• The Warriors and Pelicans entered their first matchup of the season with winning streaks of 18 and 19 games, drawing widespread attention and a Warriors-favored betting line.
• Curry said he would focus on helping the Warriors win, while Green boasted that they would beat the Pelicans and planned a team celebration at a bar.
• Tang Tian expressed confidence in the Pelicans and teased a secret weapon, while Bojan joked that it would excite the crowd.
• Tang Tian said he trusted the referees to officiate fairly, indirectly highlighting the scrutiny surrounding the game after last season's controversial matchup.
• The Warriors opened with a small-ball lineup, while Van Gundy and Miller debated whether the Pelicans' defense or the Warriors' offense gave either team the edge.
• Both teams finished warming up and their starters took the court as the highly anticipated game was about to begin.

Jokic used his improved strength and low-post skill to score twice against Green as the Pelicans and Warriors opened their game. The Pelicans also stopped the Warriors on their first possession, and Jokic left Green facing an increasingly difficult matchup.

• Jokic beat Green in the opening tip, giving the Pelicans the first possession.
• Jokic scored a close-range hook shot over Green after using a reverse spin in the low post.
• The Pelicans defended the Warriors' cutting offense, and Tang Tian grabbed the rebound after Thompson missed.
• Tang Tian fed Jokic in the low post again, and Jokic backed down Green before scoring a bank shot.
• Jokic isolated Green successfully twice in a row.

Jokic's low-post offense and passing helped the Pelicans build an early double-digit lead over the Warriors, while Tang Tian and Davis finished his assists with dunks. Green briefly answered with a defensive stop and a three-pointer, but Jokic powered past him for another emphatic dunk.

• Curry exploited a switch against Jokic and passed to Barnes, who made a corner three for the Warriors.
• Jokic's post play drew a double-team, and his pass found Tang Tian cutting for a one-handed dunk.
• Jokic passed to Davis after the Warriors rotated to help, and Davis dunked over Barnes to make the score 8–3.
• The Pelicans led 27–17 when the teams began substituting, and the Warriors later kept Green at center against Jokic.
• Green stopped one of Jokic's post moves and hit a three-pointer to cut the Pelicans' lead to single digits.
• Tang Tian fed Jokic in the post, and Jokic spun past Green for a two-handed dunk.

The Pelicans held a 15-point halftime lead over the Warriors, but Curry’s hot shooting threatened to bring Golden State back into the game. Tang Tian answered with a three-pointer and a spectacular self-assisted dunk, leaving the teams locked in a fierce third-quarter duel.

• The Pelicans entered halftime ahead 62-47, and the Warriors replaced Iguodala with Bogut for the second half.
• Curry hit consecutive three-pointers to cut the Pelicans’ lead to single digits.
• Tang Tian scored a three-pointer over Thompson on the Pelicans’ Play 1 to restore a 12-point lead.
• Curry scored a floater after making another three, keeping the Warriors’ comeback hopes alive.
• Tang Tian drove past Thompson, tossed the ball off the backboard, and dunked it over Jokic and Bogut.

The Pelicans held off the Warriors’ fourth-quarter comeback as Davis repeatedly scored over Green in the low post. After Green received a flagrant foul for pulling Davis down, he appeared to kick toward Davis’s groin, and Tang Tian shouted a warning.

• Thompson hit three three-pointers over Holiday, prompting Stevens to call a timeout and assign Tang Tian to guard him.
• Davis beat Green with a drive and bank shot, then scored again with a hook shot despite Green’s defense.
• Curry missed a deep three-pointer, and Davis scored another basket to extend the Pelicans’ lead to eight points.
• Davis spun past Green for a dunk, but Green yanked him down and received a flagrant foul.
• Green fell back to the floor and appeared to kick toward Davis’s groin, so Tang Tian shouted for Davis to watch out.

After Davis was injured by Green, Tang Tian targeted Green with repeated scoring plays and knocked him down with an elbow during a drive. The referees called no foul, and the Pelicans finished the possession with a Jokic dunk while Green remained on the floor.

• Green's kick injured Davis, and the referees assessed Green a Flagrant 1 Foul while Davis left the game.
• Tang Tian crossed Green and hit a three-pointer, then scored another three over him on the Pelicans' next fast break.
• Curry made a floater and an and-one free throw, cutting the Warriors' deficit to 12 points.
• Tang Tian drove into Green with an elbow, knocking him down as the referees let play continue.
• Tang Tian passed to an unguarded Jokic, who finished with a two-handed dunk while Green remained on the floor.

Tang Tian and the Pelicans defeated the Warriors 117-109, ending Golden State’s 18-game winning streak and extending New Orleans’ streak to 20. Tang finished with 50 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, then left the game rather than stay in to chase a triple-double.

• Cole called a timeout after Tang Tian elbowed Green, whose nose was bleeding and bruised; Iguodala temporarily replaced him.
• Curry hit a three-pointer to keep the Warriors close, but Tang answered with a driving and-one and later a three-pointer over Green.
• The Pelicans’ defense disrupted the Warriors’ attempts to make threes, and Tang scored on a fast break to extend the lead.
• With the outcome decided, Tang declined to return for a chance at his tenth assist, and the Pelicans beat the Warriors 117-109.
• After the game, Curry and Thompson congratulated Tang, while Green expressed displeasure; Tang casually asked whether Green’s nose was all right.

After the Pelicans defeated the Warriors, Tang Tian left his record-setting performance behind and waited for Olson to give birth to their twin sons. The healthy boys were named Tang Yongqi and Towns.

• Tang Tian told a reporter he had no regret about missing a 50-plus triple-double because the Pelicans had already won and he had achieved one before.
• Davis tried to prank Tang Tian with water, accidentally soaked the reporter, and asked her out afterward.
• Fans celebrated the Pelicans' 20-game winning streak and discussed the growing rivalry between the Pelicans and Warriors.
• Tang Tian waited with both sets of parents while Olson underwent a C-section and delivered two healthy sons.
• Tang Tian, Olson, and their parents discussed names for the twins and chose Tang Yongqi for the older boy and Towns for the younger one.

After Davis was ruled out for about half a month, the Pelicans planned to rely more on their other players, while Tang Tian’s teammates secretly agreed to help improve his stats and MVP case. Tang Tian returned for the Clippers game, where the Pelicans’ unusually strong screens helped him open the scoring with a dunk.

• Tang Tian shared the names of his newborn twins on Twitter, and fans celebrated the news alongside the Pelicans’ win over the Warriors.
• The Pelicans learned that Davis had only bruised his knee, but Stevens planned to rest him for around half a month and urged Aminu and Harrell to step up.
• Metta World Peace told the players that Tang Tian was still behind Curry in the MVP Ranking, and the team agreed to help raise Tang Tian’s stats without harming their chances of winning.
• Stevens increased Tang Tian’s offensive role for the Pelicans’ game against the Clippers, while Aminu replaced Davis in the starting lineup.
• After Pierce scored for the Clippers, Tang Tian drove past him and dunked as Jokic and Aminu boxed out Jordan and Griffin, then celebrated their screens with a high-five.