Chapter Summaries

The Pelicans deliberately created chances for Tang Tian to build his stats while controlling the Clippers, and Tang finished with a triple-double in a 103-88 win. The victory extended New Orleans’ winning streak to 21 games as fans celebrated Tang’s performance online.

• Jokic and Aminu boxed out the Clippers to help Tang Tian collect rebounds, and Tang scored the Pelicans’ first six points as his teammates fed him chances.
• Rivers ordered the Clippers to double-team Tang Tian, so Tang passed to Ariza, who scored while Jokic boxed out Jordan.
• The Pelicans led 50-35 at halftime, with Tang recording 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.
• Louis Williams led an 8-0 run in the third quarter, prompting Stevens to put Tang back in to restore the Pelicans’ lead.
• Tang finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists as the Pelicans beat the Clippers 103-88 and extended their winning streak to 21 games.
• Fans praised Tang’s first triple-double of the season on social media, while some criticized the Pelicans for padding his stats.

The Pelicans beat the Bucks to extend their winning streak to 22 games, while Tang Tian recorded another triple-double and gained momentum in the MVP discussion. Against the Hornets, Bojan’s buzzer-beating three gave Tang his third consecutive triple-double, tying LeBron’s active-player streak record.

• The Pelicans used a fourth-quarter 2-3 zone to defeat the Bucks 91-79, extending their winning streak to 22 games as Tang Tian posted 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
• Fans increasingly backed Tang Tian for MVP after his consecutive triple-doubles and the Pelicans’ stronger record than Curry’s Warriors.
• The Hornets opened strongly, but the Pelicans dominated both ends and led 77-60 near the end of the third quarter.
• Bojan made a buzzer-beating three off Tang Tian’s pass, bringing Tang’s totals to 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
• Bojan celebrated as Tang Tian tied LeBron’s record of three consecutive triple-doubles among active players.

The Pelicans beat the Knicks to extend their winning streak to 24 games, while Tang Tian set a record with four consecutive triple-doubles. After Tang missed the next game to stay with his sick newborn son, the Pelicans narrowly beat the Grizzlies and pushed the streak to 25.

• The Pelicans defeated the Hornets 100-86, extending their winning streak to 23 games as Tang Tian recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in three quarters.
• The league named Tang Tian Western Conference Player of the Week and placed him first in the MVP Ranking for the first time.
• Tang Tian hit a buzzer-beating jumper to lead the Pelicans past the Knicks 107-106, recording 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for his fourth consecutive triple-double and the team's 24th straight win.
• Tang Tian missed the Grizzlies game to stay at the hospital with Olson and their feverish newborn son, Towns, whose fever broke the next day.
• Jokic scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Bojan made five threes as the Pelicans edged the Grizzlies 91-90 without Tang Tian and Davis, extending their winning streak to 25 games.

Tang Tian extended his consecutive triple-double streak to five games, but the Pelicans lost to the Trail Blazers and saw their 25-game winning streak end. He urged his teammates to stop prioritizing his stats, and the Pelicans then crushed the Pacers as Davis prepared to return.

• Tang Tian returned to the Pelicans and recorded 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Trail Blazers, but Lillard's four-point play sealed a Portland win and ended New Orleans' winning streak at 25 games.
• Tang Tian told his teammates to stop deliberately helping him chase triple-doubles and to focus on winning instead.
• Davis completed full-contact training and was ready to return, while Stevens said the team would not have risked Davis's health to extend its winning streak.
• The Pelicans beat the Pacers 112-90 after building a large lead, with the starters resting for the fourth quarter.

After extending their winning streak and reaching a league-best 28-1 record, the Pelicans prepared to host the Rockets in a highly anticipated Christmas Day Game. The chapter ended as the teams and fans gathered at New Orleans Arena before the matchup.

• The Pelicans blew out the Suns and Nuggets by more than 30 points each, then reached Christmas with a 28-1 record atop the league standings.
• Tang Tian celebrated Christmas with his family and gave Olson a Ferrari, then promised the Pelicans a two-day yacht party as a gift.
• Bojan gave each teammate a high-end home dehumidifier, and the Pelicans grew excited about their upcoming party.
• Tang Tian met Zhang Weiping at the open practice, while Yang Yi interviewed Harden about his affection for Chinese Fans.
• D'Antoni declared that the Rockets had found their chemistry and could beat the Pelicans, whose fans and players gathered at New Orleans Arena for the Christmas Day Game.

The Pelicans and Rockets battled closely on Christmas Day as Stevens tested a zone defense against the Rockets’ Magic Ball offense. The Pelicans tied the game after forcing a missed three and scoring in transition.

• The Rockets introduced Paul, Harden, Cousins, Tucker, and Batum as their starters, while Pelicans fans booed D'Antoni and cheered Stevens.
• Davis won the opening tip, and the Pelicans and Rockets traded baskets before ending the first quarter tied at 27.
• Harden led the Rockets’ second-unit offense on a 5-0 run, but Bojan answered with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to two.
• Stevens switched the Pelicans to a 2-1-2 zone after observing that the Rockets had avoided mid-range shots.
• The Rockets refused to take open mid-range shots, Terry missed a contested three, and McGee secured the rebound.
• Dinwiddie sped past Terry on the fast break and scored a soaring layup to tie the game.

The Pelicans used their defense to disrupt the Rockets, but DeMarcus Cousins exploited Nikola Jokic inside and gave Houston the lead in the matchup. Tang Tian provoked Cousins into switching onto him, then beat him for a dunk and called his defense soft.

• The Pelicans' zone defense disrupted Houston's perimeter shooting, prompting Mike D'Antoni to call a timeout and shift the Rockets' offense toward Cousins in the paint.
• Cousins scored repeatedly over Jokic, while Jokic answered with a pass that set up an Anthony Davis dunk.
• The Rockets kept Cousins in the paint through defensive switches, and Tucker defended Tang Tian as Tang Tian scored a stop-and-pop jumper.
• Tang Tian drew a foul from Cousins and taunted him, then Cousins rushed his next inside attack and Jokic stopped him.
• Cousins switched onto Tang Tian on the next screen, and Tang Tian drove past him for a dunk before insulting his defense.

Tang Tian and the Pelicans exploited Cousins’s anger and defensive mistakes to build a commanding lead over the Rockets. Cousins went to the bench, and the Pelicans carried a lead of more than 15 points into halftime.

• Cousins fouled Jokic on offense, then earned a Technical Foul while arguing with the referee, giving the Pelicans a free throw and possession.
• Tang Tian drew Cousins away from the paint and passed to Davis, who dunked as the Rockets’ defense collapsed.
• Cousins blamed Tucker for helping on defense, then missed another post-up shot as his frustration continued to hurt his play.
• Tang Tian drove past Cousins for a dunk that put the Pelicans ahead 52-42 and forced D’Antoni to call timeout.
• Paul tried to calm Cousins, but Harden pulled Paul away, and D’Antoni eventually substituted Cousins out.
• The Pelicans exploited Capela’s matchup problems and stretched their lead beyond 15 points by halftime.

The Pelicans beat the Rockets on Christmas Day, while the Cavaliers later defeated the Warriors to boost James’s confidence about a championship. The next day, Tang Tian hosted the Pelicans aboard the Mars Project and considered holding next year’s training camp on its basketball court.

• The Pelicans defeated the Rockets 113–103 as Cousins was ejected, ending Houston’s seven-game winning streak and extending New Orleans’s winning streak to four games.
• Russell hit a game-winning three to lead the Nets past the Heat, and the Spurs defeated the Thunder 106–98 behind Leonard’s strong performance.
• The Knicks beat the Mavericks and strengthened their hold on second place in the East.
• James led the Cavaliers past the Warriors, then told reporters they were confident they could beat Golden State and win the championship if they met again in the Finals.
• Tang Tian hosted a party for the Pelicans aboard the Mars Project and considered using its basketball court for next year’s Brothers of Hard Work Training Camp.

The Pelicans took an early lead against the Mavericks, but Dallas fought back with Butler, Nowitzki, and Harris keeping the game close. Ariza helped restore New Orleans’ advantage before landing on Pachulia’s foot and going down in pain.

• Embiid returned from a foot injury as the Mavericks hosted Tang Tian and the Pelicans in Dallas.
• Tang Tian and Davis led the Pelicans to a 25-15 lead before Butler and Nowitzki helped the Mavericks tie the score with a 12-2 run.
• Tang Tian scored against Butler in the second quarter while Harris answered with repeated jumpers, keeping the game close.
• Ariza defended Harris effectively, and Tang Tian’s transition three helped the Pelicans extend their lead to nine points.
• Tang Tian found Ariza cutting to the basket, and Ariza scored before stepping on Pachulia’s foot and falling in pain.

Tang Tian punched Pachulia after Pachulia undercut Ariza, earning a Flagrant 2 and ejection, while Ariza was taken for an ankle examination. The Pelicans overcame the loss of both players to beat the Mavericks 107-99, and Tang Tian later apologized for the punch while insisting he would act the same way again.

• After Pachulia undercut Ariza and injured his ankle, Tang Tian punched Pachulia and was ejected with a Flagrant 2, while Pachulia received a Flagrant 1.
• Tang Tian stayed in the locker room to watch as Stevens adjusted the lineup, and the Pelicans took a 51-46 halftime lead.
• Tang Tian urged his teammates to win for Ariza, and Bogdan, Davis, and Jokic led the Pelicans to a 107-99 victory over the Mavericks.
• At the postgame press conference, Tang Tian apologized for his punch but said he would make the same choice again to defend his team from unsportsmanlike play.

Fans, media members, and former players argued over Tang Tian’s retaliation, while the Pelicans learned Ariza would miss two to three months and the league handed down suspensions and fines. With Ariza injured and Tang suspended for five games, Stevens faced a brutal stretch beginning with an away game against the Spurs.

• Fans and media split over Tang Tian’s response, and Barkley, Smith, and O’Neal debated it on TNT.
• The Pelicans announced that Ariza had suffered a Grade 3 sprain and was expected to miss two to three months.
• The league suspended Pachulia for two games and fined him $15,000 for a non-basketball play.
• The league suspended Tang Tian for five games and fined him $25,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
• With Ariza injured and Tang suspended, Stevens prepared the Pelicans for a difficult schedule starting with an away matchup against the Spurs.

Tang Tian watched the suspended Pelicans face the Spurs from the arena lobby, where Davis kept New Orleans close before San Antonio built a lead with its bench. Holt unexpectedly joined Tang Tian to watch, hoping the Spurs’ advantage would upset him.

• Tang Tian stayed with the Pelicans in San Antonio despite his suspension, and Stevens named Bojan and Dinwiddie starters while adding Harris to the active roster.
• Tang Tian watched the game from the lobby as Duncan and the Spurs opened against Davis and the Pelicans.
• Davis scored 10 points in the first quarter, keeping the Pelicans within one point before the teams made substitutions.
• Pau Gasol led the Spurs on an 11-2 run against the Pelicans’ struggling reserves, giving San Antonio a 10-point lead.
• Holt found Tang Tian in the lobby, sat beside him, and watched the Spurs lead, hoping the game would frustrate his former player.

Tang Tian watched the Pelicans face the Spurs with Holt, whose confidence in a Spurs win wavered as the Pelicans took an eight-point lead. The Spurs rallied to tie the game, leaving both teams even with eight minutes remaining.

• Holt sat beside Tang Tian to watch the game, and Joe Harris hit two threes to help the Pelicans cut the Spurs' lead to five.
• Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis traded baskets, and the Spurs went into halftime leading 52-49.
• Jrue Holiday heated up from outside in the third quarter as Davis kept scoring inside, giving the Pelicans an eight-point lead.
• Popovich brought Leonard in early in the fourth quarter, and the Spurs steadily erased the deficit.
• With eight minutes left, both teams had their starters back on the court and the score was tied.

The Pelicans beat the Spurs in a tense finish despite Tang Tian sitting out, and Davis took responsibility for the win. After celebrating, the team returned to New Orleans to prepare for a difficult rematch with the Mavericks while Tang Tian remained suspended.

• Leonard missed a potential game-winning shot, and the Pelicans defeated the Spurs as Holt suffered heart pain and took his medicine.
• Holt told Tang Tian that the Pelicans could win without him, and Tang Tian replied that he would have stopped Kawhi from taking the final shot.
• Davis praised the team’s resolve and finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals, while Holiday scored a season-high 28 points.
• The Pelicans celebrated in the locker room, where Davis teased Bojan about practicing after his poor shooting night.
• The Pelicans returned to New Orleans to face the Mavericks, while suspended Tang Tian watched from the locker room and fans filled the arena.

The short-handed Pelicans defeated the Mavericks behind strong games from Jokic and Bojan, then extended their winning streak as Davis returned and earned Player of the Week. Tang Tian returned from suspension and helped the Pelicans crush the Trail Blazers, leaving them with an 11-game winning streak.

• Jokic and Bojan led the depleted Pelicans to a 97-93 win over the Mavericks, extending their streak to seven games.
• Davis returned and helped the Pelicans beat the Suns, Kings, and Wizards, earning his first Player of the Week honor.
• Tang Tian returned from his five-game suspension as the Pelicans began a new 10-game winning streak.
• Tang Tian defended Lillard and fed Davis as the Pelicans built a commanding lead over the Trail Blazers.
• Seven Pelicans scored in double figures as New Orleans won 115-91, extending its streak to 11 games.

The Pelicans extended their winning streak to 13 games, and Tang Tian set a new All-Star fan vote record. Before their rematch with the Warriors, Monty Williams learned that his wife had been critically injured in a car accident; after the Pelicans lost, the team returned to New Orleans to support him at the hospital.

• The Pelicans beat the Jazz and Clippers to improve their record to 38-1 and hold off the Warriors in the standings.
• Tang Tian received 3.22 million All-Star votes, breaking Howard’s record and joining Kobe and Curry as a Western Conference starter.
• Stevens told Tang Tian that Williams’s wife was in critical condition after a car accident and that Williams had rushed back to New Orleans.
• The Pelicans struggled emotionally against the Warriors and lost 106-116, their second defeat of the season.
• The team flew back to New Orleans and visited Williams at the hospital, where he waited with his injured children outside the operating room.

After Ingrid died despite emergency treatment, Williams resigned as the Pelicans' First Assistant Coach to care for his children. The Pelicans then began searching for a defensive-minded replacement as they tried to protect their league-best standing.

• Tang Tian, Davis, and Holiday stayed with Williams until doctors confirmed that Ingrid had died, and Williams began arranging her funeral.
• At Ingrid's memorial service, Williams told Benson and the Pelicans staff that he would resign to care for his four children, and the Pelicans announced that he would still receive his remaining contract salary.
• After the Pelicans lost three straight games and their lead over the Warriors fell to 1.5 games, Dempsey asked Nash about the vacancy, but Nash chose to remain a consultant.
• Dempsey approached Warriors assistant Ron Adams and Rockets assistant Buzdrik, but both declined to join the Pelicans.
• The Pelicans considered Lionel Hollins, Mike Brown, and J.B. Bickerstaff as defensive-minded candidates, and all three showed interest in the position.

The Pelicans hired Mike Brown as an assistant coach after their pursuit of Bickerstaff failed, and Brown joined Stevens and Tang Tian in discussing the team’s defense. Before Brown’s first game against the Cavaliers, Woj reported that James had once advised the Heat not to draft Tang Tian, reigniting the history between them.

• Tang Tian recommended Bickerstaff over Hollins and Brown, but Ainge persuaded Bickerstaff to stay with the Celtics.
• Dempsey negotiated a two-year, $2 million deal with Brown, who then joined the Pelicans’ coaching staff.
• Brown met with Stevens and Tang Tian to discuss defensive strategies, including frontcourt pressure and protecting Jokic near the basket.
• The Pelicans announced Brown’s hiring ahead of his first game against the Cavaliers.
• Woj reported that James had told Pat Riley the Heat did not need to draft Tang Tian in 2011, setting off intense media and fan discussion.

After news revealed that James had helped keep Tang Tian from joining the Heat, the Pelicans faced the Cavaliers in a highly anticipated game. Tang Tian and the Pelicans started strongly, while James struggled with his teammates as the Cavaliers fell behind.

• Fans reacted to the report that James had played a part in Tang Tian failing to join the Heat, and Tang Tian read the news after practice.
• Tang Tian set winning the game as the Pelicans' immediate priority, and the teams began their nationally watched matchup in New Orleans.
• Tang Tian opened the scoring with a dunk, Davis blocked Love, and Bojan hit a three-pointer to give the Pelicans a 5-0 lead.
• Jokic helped stop Irving's layup, and Tang Tian scored a fast-break three-point play to extend the Pelicans' lead to 8-0.
• James scored for the Cavaliers, but Davis missed against help defense, and Shump turned over James's long pass, leaving James frustrated with his teammates.