Chapter Summaries

The Pelicans built a commanding lead over the Warriors, but Green kicked Davis in the groin during a shot attempt and Davis had to leave for the locker room. Tang Tian heard Green deny doing it intentionally and prepared to retaliate as the game continued.

• The Pelicans' reserves extended their lead to 17 points as Davis repeatedly scored over Green.
• Green kicked Davis in the groin while shooting, and Stephenson shoved him as the players clashed.
• The referees gave Green and Stephenson technical fouls, and Davis left for the locker room with an injury.
• Thompson helped the Warriors cut the deficit to 12 points during the bench segment.
• Tang Tian heard Green claim the kick was unintentional and returned to the court determined to answer him.

Tang Tian was called for an offensive foul after his dunk attempt injured Green, and the Pelicans went on to defeat the Warriors 113-93 for a 3-0 series lead. The league opened an investigation into whether Tang Tian had deliberately struck Green, while both players and fans disputed his intent.

• Curry sparked an 8-0 Warriors run after Davis left with an injury, cutting the Pelicans' lead to nine points.
• Tang Tian drove at Green and attempted a dunk, striking Green in the groin as Green tried to block him and sending him off the court on a stretcher.
• The referees reviewed the play and ruled an ordinary offensive foul, while Tang Tian maintained that he had not hit Green on purpose.
• Stevens adjusted his lineup, and the Pelicans attacked the Warriors' weakened interior defense to restore their lead and win 113-93.
• Cole accused Tang Tian of attempting to injure Green, while Tang Tian denied doing it deliberately; the league began an investigation as fans argued over the play.

The league ruled that Tang Tian and Draymond Green’s groin kicks were both unintentional, while Green’s injury ended his season. In Game 4, the Warriors built a 30-point lead over the Davis-less Pelicans, and Tang Tian rallied his team to keep fighting.

• The Pelicans and Warriors announced that Davis would miss two to three games, while Green required surgery and was out for the season.
• The league investigated the kicks and ruled that both Green and Tang Tian had acted unintentionally, imposing no further penalties.
• Pelicans fans called for a sweep as Warriors fans filled Oracle Arena and urged their team to avoid it.
• Curry, Thompson, and the Warriors’ other shooters built a 30-point lead, while Jokic picked up his fourth foul.
• Green high-fived his teammates and taunted Jokic, angering the Pelicans players.
• Tang Tian urged the Pelicans to keep fighting, and the team shouted its championship chants despite trailing by 30 points.

The Pelicans mounted a comeback against the Warriors, with rookie Harrell energizing the team and Tang Tian leading the offense. After cutting the deficit to nine points, the Pelicans had made the game close, though the Warriors still held the lead.

• Tang Tian scored through contact and Holiday hit a corner three as the Pelicans chipped away at the Warriors' lead, but the Pelicans still trailed 95-115 after three quarters.
• Stevens brought in Harrell, who blocked Barbosa, grabbed a defensive rebound against Ezeli, and dunked off Stephenson's pass to help cut the deficit to 16 points.
• Stephenson taunted Green with a repeated 3-0 gesture during a sideline confrontation as the Pelicans continued their comeback.
• The Pelicans cut the deficit to 11 points, but Curry answered with a deep three before Tang Tian hit a pull-up three of his own.
• Curry drew Jokic's sixth foul and made one free throw, then Tang Tian passed to Harrell, who dunked through Barnes's foul and made the free throw to cut the deficit to nine.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans' late comeback against the Warriors, turning a five-point deficit into a chance to win with seconds left. He hit a game-winning three at the buzzer, leaving the Pelicans victorious.

• Tang Tian stole Curry's pass and made a three-pointer to cut the Warriors' lead to five.
• Thompson missed a shot, and Harrell was called for a rebounding foul, but Barnes missed both free throws.
• Tang Tian passed to Harrell, who dunked through Bogut's foul and made the free throw to bring the Pelicans within two.
• Curry missed a deep three, and Harrell secured the rebound to give the Pelicans one final possession.
• Tang Tian faked a pass, drove past Thompson, and hit a game-winning three as time expired.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans to a historic comeback and a sweep of the Warriors, sending New Orleans to its first Finals. The Cavaliers then eliminated the Knicks, setting up a Finals matchup with the Pelicans as Davis had time to recover.

• The Pelicans erased a 30-point deficit to beat the Warriors, complete the sweep, and advance to the Finals.
• Jokic taunted Green with a bye-bye gesture, while Tang Tian joked at the press conference that the Warriors could still win the series 5-4.
• The Pelicans returned to New Orleans and practiced defense while waiting for their Finals opponent and hoping Davis would recover.
• The Cavaliers overcame an eight-point halftime deficit against the Knicks and won 122-106 to advance to the Finals.

The Cavaliers defeated the Pelicans 116-106 in the Finals opener, despite Tang Tian scoring 40 points, as LeBron James dominated and Nikola Jokic fouled out. After the loss shifted public opinion toward Cleveland, Anthony Davis practiced with the Pelicans ahead of Game 2, and the team remained upbeat.

• Experts and fans overwhelmingly predicted a Pelicans championship, but Davis was ruled out for the Finals opener because his recovery was slow.
• The Cavaliers attacked the Pelicans' weakened interior from the start, while Tang Tian answered with baskets and the officials called several fouls against New Orleans.
• LeBron James scored 40 points with 10 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Cavaliers beat the Pelicans 116-106 after Nikola Jokic fouled out late.
• Cavaliers fans and media celebrated the win, and analysts praised Tyronn Lue's tactics as Cleveland became the newly favored team.
• The Pelicans practiced ahead of Game 2 in good spirits, and Anthony Davis took part in the full practice.

Davis returned from injury for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, restoring the Pelicans’ interior defense against the Cavaliers. The Pelicans opened with a strong defensive showing and looked far more balanced than they had in the opener.

• Tang Tian told reporters that Davis had fully recovered and would play in Game 2.
• James said the Cavaliers would ignore outside opinions after winning the Opening Game as underdogs.
• Fans packed New Orleans Arena as Davis returned to the Pelicans’ starting lineup for Game 2.
• Tang Tian scored on a pick and roll with Davis to give the Pelicans an early basket.
• Davis blocked Irving’s layup attempt, then Tang Tian contested Love and forced him to miss a three-point shot.

The Pelicans crushed the Cavaliers in Game 2 to tie the Finals, then Tang Tian’s fourth-quarter explosion carried them to a Game 3 win in Cleveland. The Pelicans took a 2-1 series lead.

• The Pelicans raced to a 20-point halftime lead and defeated the Cavaliers 118-93, with Tang Tian recording 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.
• After the teams traveled to Cleveland, Brown advised Stevens to focus the defense on LeBron, and Stevens accepted the plan.
• Lue adjusted the Cavaliers’ approach in Game 3, while Irving’s scoring and home-court calls kept the game close despite the Pelicans containing LeBron.
• Tang Tian scored 25 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Pelicans to a 117-103 win and finishing with 50 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.

After losing Game 3, Tang Tian persuaded Stevens to shift the Pelicans toward an offense-first approach to counter the Cavaliers’ scoring and the referees’ whistles. The Pelicans opened Game 4 with a fast-paced offensive surge, while Lue believed the shootout favored Cleveland.

• Tang Tian recognized that the Cavaliers’ offense could overwhelm the Pelicans, especially with Irving and James scoring freely and the referees’ calls limiting defensive aggression.
• Tang Tian proposed that Stevens trade offense with the Cavaliers, and Stevens devoted the Pelicans’ next two days of training to offense.
• The Pelicans started Bojan in place of Ariza for Game 4 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
• James scored through contact on the opening possession, but Bojan answered with a corner three and the Pelicans began scoring quickly.
• Tang Tian dunked in transition, assisted Davis at the rim, then scored on a fast break as the Pelicans built a 7-4 lead.
• Lue recognized the Pelicans’ offensive approach and confidently believed the Cavaliers would win an offensive shootout.

The Pelicans overwhelmed the Cavaliers with their offense and defeated them on the road, taking a 3-1 lead in the Finals. They returned to New Orleans with a chance to win the first championship in team history at home.

• Tang Tian and the Pelicans outscored James, Irving, and the Cavaliers to take a 72-58 halftime lead.
• James took charge of the Cavaliers' defense after halftime, helping them open with a 5-0 run.
• Tang Tian repeatedly attacked Love and set up Bojan's three-pointers, restoring the Pelicans' lead and extending it to 25 points after three quarters.
• The Pelicans beat the Cavaliers 133-113, with Tang Tian recording 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists in three quarters.
• The Pelicans won their third straight game and took a 3-1 series lead, putting them one win from the championship.

The Pelicans lost Games 5 and 6 of the Finals to the Cavaliers amid controversial officiating, with Anthony Davis ejected after kicking LeBron James. The series was tied 3-3, leaving the Cavaliers one win away from making Finals history with a comeback from 1-3.

• The Cavaliers rallied past the Pelicans to win Game 5 after a string of disputed calls, prompting Stevens and Tang Tian to criticize the officiating and receive fines.
• The Pelicans took a 10-point halftime lead in Game 6 despite what they viewed as biased officiating, then extended it to 15 points early in the second half.
• After referees called a foul on Davis instead of James, James stepped over Davis, and Davis kicked him from behind.
• The referees ejected Davis with a Flagrant 2, and the Cavaliers rallied to win Game 6 and tie the Finals 3-3.
• Barkley said James had baited Davis into the kick, while Cavaliers and James fans anticipated a historic Game 7 comeback and championship.

Tang Tian’s anger lifted the Pelicans’ morale before Game 7, and he opened the Finals decider with a dominant scoring run. The chapter left the Pelicans ahead as Tang Tian scored seven straight points despite the Cavaliers’ pressure and a missed foul call.

• Tang Tian berated his teammates at practice, reigniting the Pelicans’ defensive intensity and morale.
• Davis apologized for his actions in Game 6, and Tang Tian told him to focus on attacking while promising the Pelicans would win.
• Tang Tian and the Pelicans entered Game 7 at New Orleans Arena with the home crowd behind them.
• Tang Tian drove past Love for an opening dunk, then scored an underhand layup on a fast break after Davis blocked Irving’s shot.
• Tang Tian hit a contested pull-up three despite Smith making contact, bringing his opening streak to seven straight points.

Tang Tian entered the Zone and dominated the Cavaliers in Game 7, scoring through increasingly aggressive double teams and helping the Pelicans build a 20-point lead. The chapter ended with Davis dunking after Tang Tian passed out of a three-man trap.

• Tang Tian scored 26 points in the first quarter as the Pelicans took a 40-25 lead over the Cavaliers.
• Tang Tian added 12 points in the second quarter, and the Pelicans went into halftime ahead 65-50.
• The Cavaliers began double-teaming Tang Tian, but he hit a difficult fadeaway over the trap.
• Davis grabbed offensive rebounds and passed back to Tang Tian, who scored again despite the Cavaliers' double team.
• Tang Tian led a fast break for a soaring layup, then passed through a three-man trap to Davis for a two-handed dunk that made it 73-53.

Tang Tian dominated Game 7, adapting to the Cavaliers’ defense and scoring 62 points by the end of the third quarter. He broke the NBA Finals single-game scoring record, while the Pelicans held a 20-point lead.

• Lue called a timeout after Tang Tian’s scoring burst, and the Cavaliers briefly cut the Pelicans’ lead with a 5-0 run.
• Tang Tian scored through contact, then used his off-ball movement to create openings as Jokic organized the Pelicans’ offense.
• Tang Tian faked out Love and hit an open three, reaching 49 points before scoring 20 in the quarter and raising his total to 58.
• Shump fouled Tang Tian on a buzzer-beating three, and Tang Tian made the shot and the ensuing free throw to reach 62 points.
• Tang Tian’s free throw broke Elgin Baylor’s NBA Finals single-game scoring record, and the Pelicans ended the third quarter ahead 95-75.

The Pelicans held off the Cavaliers in Game 7 to win the first NBA Championship in team history, with Tang Tian leading the team to the title. The chapter ended with the players and fans celebrating together as Metta World Peace’s song played.

• Tang Tian rested in the fourth quarter while Davis led the Pelicans against James and the Cavaliers.
• Davis kept the Pelicans’ lead near 20 points as James and Irving tried to mount a comeback.
• Lue conceded the game with one minute remaining and pulled the Cavaliers’ starters.
• The final buzzer confirmed the Pelicans’ championship, and Tang Tian embraced Davis as the players celebrated.
• Metta World Peace’s song played, and the Pelicans and arena crowd joined in singing along.

After defeating the Cavaliers to win the 2015-2016 NBA championship, the Pelicans celebrated and received the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Tang Tian and Davis showed their championship tattoos to the cameras, ending the ceremony on a moment that electrified the crowd.

• Irving, Love, Marion, and James watched the Pelicans celebrate before James left the court with the Cavaliers, recognizing that Tang Tian had beaten him without excuses.
• Tang Tian brought out Maotai for the Pelicans in the locker room, and the players toasted their championship, with most coughing from the baijiu while Ariza and Jokic handled it easily.
• The Pelicans returned to the court in championship T-shirts as Xiao Hua congratulated the Cavaliers and officially announced New Orleans as the 2015-2016 NBA champion.
• Xiao Hua presented the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy to Stevens, who handed it to the Pelicans players to celebrate and kiss.
• Davis gestured for Tang Tian to show their arms to the cameras, revealing their championship tattoos and setting off another roar from the crowd.

After the Pelicans won the first championship in franchise history, Stevens and the players celebrated and gave interviews, with Tang Tian promising the team would win more titles. Tang Tian then unanimously won the Finals MVP, completing a historic season of individual honors.

• Stevens thanked the Pelicans organization and his wife, Tracy, for their support during the championship season.
• Tang Tian told the home crowd he was excited, reflected on the team's growth through past defeats, and vowed the Pelicans would build a dynasty.
• Davis grew emotional during his interview, while Holiday and Jokic also spoke with reporters.
• Tang Tian's Finals MVP vote was announced, and he received all eleven media votes before accepting the trophy from Bill Russell.
• Tang Tian finished the season having won the Regular Season MVP, All-Star Game MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year.

After the Pelicans won the championship, New Orleans fans chanted for Tang Tian, who then proposed to Olson in the arena, fulfilling a promise he had made years earlier. Olson accepted, and the couple celebrated with their children and the team.

• New Orleans fans chanted for Tang Tian, celebrating his championship and his contributions to the city.
• Tang Tian thanked the league, team staff, teammates, and fans but deliberately left Xiao Hua unmentioned.
• Tang Tian reminded Olson of his promise to propose when he won his third championship and apologized for waiting until after their children were born.
• Tang Tian presented Olson with a ring featuring the Wittelsbach Diamond and asked her to marry him.
• Olson accepted, Tang Tian put the ring on her finger, and they kissed as the arena celebrated.
• The Pelicans players and the couple's children joined Tang Tian and Olson for a photograph.

After winning their first championship, the Pelicans celebrated and planned a New Orleans parade. Tang Tian and Dempsey then reviewed the roster and offseason priorities, and Dempsey proposed extending Tang Tian’s contract early.

• Tang Tian criticized the Finals officiating at the press conference, then celebrated the Pelicans’ championship with Davis, Stevens, and the team.
• Tang Tian and Dempsey finalized a boat and street parade plan that would end with speeches outside the New Orleans Arena.
• Dempsey and Tang Tian discussed defending the title and agreed the Pelicans should retain their championship roster while making only minor adjustments.
• Dempsey reviewed the players’ contracts with Tang Tian and said Metta World Peace planned to retire.
• Tang Tian and Dempsey noted that several key players were entering contract years, and Dempsey proposed extending Tang Tian’s contract early.