Chapter Summaries

Diop joined the Pelicans and made his debut against the Jazz as Tang Tian’s triple-double streak kept growing. After wins over the Grizzlies, Jazz, and Clippers, Tang Tian tied Chamberlain’s record with nine consecutive triple-doubles, leaving him one game away from breaking it against the Thunder.

• Diop reported to the Pelicans, reunited warmly with Tang Tian, and impressed Stevens during training.
• Tang Tian recorded 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists as the Pelicans defeated the Grizzlies 100-86, extending his triple-double streak to seven games.
• Diop made his Pelicans debut against the Jazz and helped steady the bench as the team rallied to win 108-88; Tang Tian posted 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists for his eighth straight triple-double.
• Tang Tian recorded 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists in the Pelicans’ 113-103 victory over the Clippers, tying Chamberlain’s record with nine consecutive triple-doubles.
• The Pelicans’ next game against the Thunder became Tang Tian’s chance to break the record.

Russell Westbrook answered the media’s claims that he was a fake triple-double king by leading the Thunder to a dramatic comeback win over the Magic, setting up his showdown with Tang Tian. The chapter ended as Tang Tian and Westbrook prepared to face each other in a sold-out arena, with Tang poised to break the consecutive triple-double record.

• Westbrook scored 57 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists as the Thunder overcame a 17-point deficit to beat the Magic in overtime.
• FOX Sports branded Tang Tian and Westbrook the “True and False Triple-Double Kings,” stirring up arguments among fans.
• Adams urged Westbrook to prove he was the real triple-double king, and Westbrook resolved to beat the Pelicans.
• Tang Tian and Westbrook greeted each other before the sold-out Thunder-Pelicans game, as the crowd anticipated their showdown.

Tang Tian and the Pelicans dominated the opening quarter against Westbrook and the Thunder, but Oladipo led a second-quarter run that narrowed the gap. With the score 40-32 and the starters returning, Westbrook looked ready to fight back.

• Westbrook struggled against the Pelicans' defense while Tang Tian set up Jokic for a jumper and scored a fadeaway, helping the Pelicans take a 6-2 lead.
• Tang Tian launched a fast break that ended with Davis dunking, and the Pelicans finished the first quarter ahead 32-16 as Tang Tian outplayed Westbrook.
• Tang Tian rested on the bench and expected Westbrook to respond, while Davis congratulated him on proving himself the real Monkey King.
• Oladipo sparked a 10-2 Thunder run, prompting Stevens to call a timeout and cutting the Pelicans' lead to single digits.
• Brogdon helped the Pelicans steady the game, but Oladipo kept scoring as the teams traded baskets and reached 40-32 with more than four minutes left in the quarter.
• The starters began returning, and Westbrook watched the court with fierce resolve while Tang Tian remained calm.

Tang Tian and Westbrook traded baskets in a fierce duel as the Pelicans held a 92-82 lead after three quarters. Both stars remained hot, and the chapter left their matchup unresolved heading into the fourth quarter.

• Westbrook led the Thunder’s comeback in the second quarter, while Tang Tian answered with clutch shots and the Pelicans took a 62-57 halftime lead.
• Tang Tian and Westbrook traded scores after halftime, each opening the third quarter with a pull-up jumper.
• The Pelicans extended their lead to 92-82 by the end of the third quarter despite Westbrook reaching 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.
• Tang Tian had 42 points, 9 rebounds, and 13 assists through three quarters, putting him on pace for another 40-plus-point triple-double.

Tang Tian took over as the Pelicans’ primary defender on Westbrook and repeatedly shut down his attacks while scoring over him. The Pelicans restored a double-digit lead, and Tang Tian’s success settled the True and False Monkey King showdown in his favor.

• Oladipo scored eight straight points, cutting the Pelicans’ lead to six before they called a timeout.
• Tang Tian asked to guard Westbrook, then blocked his drives twice and forced him into a missed jumper.
• Tang Tian launched a fast break that ended with Ariza scoring a layup and pushing the Pelicans’ lead back into double digits.
• Westbrook guarded Tang Tian on the next Pelicans possession, but Tang Tian spun into a fadeaway jumper and made it.
• Tang Tian’s defense and scoring settled the showdown, leaving Westbrook unable to match him at either end.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans past the Thunder with a record-breaking 10th consecutive triple-double, then extended the streak in a close win over the Mavericks. The Pelicans kept winning, and Tang’s record streak continued.

• Tang Tian scored 53 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 14 assists as the Pelicans beat Westbrook and the Thunder 118-105, earning their 10th straight win.
• Westbrook and Tang Tian praised each other at their separate postgame press conferences, while Tang said winning mattered more to him than extending his triple-double streak.
• After two days of rest, the Pelicans narrowly defeated the Mavericks with a late 10-2 run by Tang Tian and Davis.
• Tang Tian recorded 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Mavericks, extending his consecutive triple-double record by another game.

Tang Tian’s Pelicans finished the regular season as the West’s only 70-win team, while Tang Tian averaged a triple-double and led the league in scoring, assists, and steals. The standings set the playoff field, with the West’s five super teams joined by the Trail Blazers, Clippers, and Thunder, and the chapter ended with Tang Tian and Westbrook making history as the first pair to average triple-doubles in one season.

• Jimmy Butler argued heatedly with Head Coach Carlisle as the Mavericks struggled after the All-Star Game.
• Tang Tian scored 22 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and made 7 assists against the Lakers, ending his consecutive triple-doubles streak at 11 games.
• The regular-season finale left the Cavaliers atop the East with 60 wins and the Pelicans atop the West with 70 wins.
• Tang Tian finished the season averaging 32.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 11.6 assists, leading the league in scoring, assists, and steals.
• The Warriors, Spurs, Rockets, and Mavericks completed the West’s top five, while the Trail Blazers, Clippers, and Thunder claimed the remaining playoff spots.
• Westbrook averaged a triple-double alongside Tang Tian, making them the first two players in league history to do so in the same season.

The Playoffs began, and Tang Tian considered reducing his ball-handling to help the Pelicans get more from their teammates. Kemba Walker opened the postseason with a 43-point performance that led the Hornets to an upset over the Raptors.

• The league announced that Cole won Head Coach of the Year and Giannis Antetokounmpo won Most Improved Player.
• Tang Tian watched the Raptors-Hornets series opener with Davis as Lowry and DeRozan helped Toronto build a 15-point halftime lead.
• Walker erupted for more than 20 points in the third quarter, leading Charlotte's comeback.
• Walker finished with 43 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists as the Hornets beat the Raptors 93-83.
• Davis remarked that Walker had played like Iverson and said he would be great to play with.

The Pelicans opened their playoff series against the Thunder with a new offense that reduced Tang Tian’s ball-handling and put Jokic in charge of organizing plays. As the Pelicans scored on their first two possessions, Thunder coach Donovan began to suspect they were using the game to practice their tactics.

• Tang Tian and Stevens agreed to reduce Tang Tian’s ball-handling so his teammates could regain their form, and Jokic’s confidence and shooting improved in practice.
• The Pelicans welcomed the Thunder to a packed New Orleans Arena, where Donovan surprised them by starting Jerami Grant in place of Sabonis.
• Tang Tian defended Westbrook from the opening possession, while the Thunder missed their first two shots and failed to start a fast break.
• Tang Tian passed to Jokic, cut to the basket, and scored the Pelicans’ first points with a layup.
• Jokic organized another possession and found Davis for a dunk, putting the Pelicans ahead 4-0 and leading Donovan to suspect they were practicing a different offense.

The Pelicans rotated through offensive tactics against the Thunder while relying on Tang Tian when plays stalled, building a lead and winning their playoff opener 106-86. The Thunder could not mount a comeback, and the Pelicans left with a 1-0 start to the series.

• Roberson hit two early three-pointers as the Thunder took a 6-4 lead, but Tang Tian tied the score with a pull-up jumper.
• Davis scored from the post, and Holiday made a three-pointer to put the Pelicans ahead 11-6.
• After the Thunder narrowed the gap with a second-chance basket, Tang Tian hit a three and Holiday added another to extend the Pelicans' lead.
• The Pelicans kept changing their offensive sets and led by 20 points by the third quarter, while Westbrook struggled to score.
• The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 106-86 as Davis led with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Tang Tian finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The Pelicans beat the Thunder in Game 2 after Tang Tian took over late, then overwhelmed them in Oklahoma City to take a 3-0 series lead. Donovan faced another barrage of criticism after the Thunder’s defense failed to slow the Pelicans.

• After the Thunder lost Game 1, Westbrook defended Donovan at the press conference, and Donovan prepared the team with targeted defensive drills.
• Before Game 2, Tang Tian and Stevens agreed the Pelicans needed to be ready for the Thunder’s adjustments and kept their tactics unchanged.
• The Thunder’s targeted defense made Game 2 a close, low-scoring battle, but Tang Tian scored 12 straight points late to lead the Pelicans to a 91-81 win.
• Donovan expressed confidence that the Thunder could respond at home after taking the Pelicans down to the wire in Game 2.
• The Pelicans beat the Thunder 104-82 in Oklahoma City, taking a 3-0 series lead as the Thunder’s defense proved ineffective.
• Donovan faced harsh criticism from local reporters after the defeat, while Westbrook did not step in to defend him.

The Pelicans swept the Thunder 4-0 after defeating them 105-95 in Game 4, then the league announced Tang Tian as Defensive Player of the Year. Tang Tian won the award for the fourth time in his career, tying the record and earning the nickname “Historical Superstar Tester.”

• The Pelicans overcame the Thunder’s halftime lead in Game 4 and won 105-95 to complete the 4-0 sweep, with Westbrook recording 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
• Tang Tian embraced Westbrook after the game and encouraged him for remaining in Oklahoma City and leading the Thunder to the playoffs.
• The first-round playoff series continued across the league, with the Cavaliers, Knicks, Raptors, Warriors, Spurs, and Rockets holding leads in their matchups.
• The league announced the Defensive Player of the Year results, and Tang Tian beat Green, Leonard, and Gobert with 44 percent of the vote.
• Barkley praised Tang Tian’s defense on TNT, while Kenny Smith called him a “Historical Superstar Tester,” a nickname that spread across social media.

The Rockets eliminated the Mavericks to set up a second-round rematch with the Pelicans, while the other Conference Semifinals matchups were finalized. As the Rockets framed the series as an opportunity to avenge last season, Stevens planned to increase Tang Tian’s ball-handling against their stronger roster.

• Butler led the Mavericks to a 106-101 win over the Rockets in Game 5, but the Rockets beat Dallas 105-87 in Game 6 to take the series 4-2.
• The Cavaliers, Knicks, Raptors, Hawks, Warriors, and Spurs all advanced, completing the Conference Semifinals matchups.
• D’Antoni called facing the Pelicans an opportunity for the Rockets to overcome their loss to them the previous season.
• Stevens discussed the Rockets series with Tang Tian and planned to give him more time handling the ball after the Pelicans’ first-round experiments had helped other players find their form.

The Pelicans and Rockets opened their Western Conference Semifinals series with an intensely physical game. After both teams struggled to score, Tang Tian broke the deadlock with a contested fadeaway, leaving the Pelicans with the first field goal.

• The Pelicans welcomed the Rockets to New Orleans, where Tang Tian greeted Olson and their sons before accepting his fourth Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
• Davis won the opening tip for the Pelicans, and Tang Tian’s first attack ended with Holiday missing under Paul’s recovery defense.
• The Rockets’ opening possession also failed as Davis contested Cousins and Harden missed a shot.
• Both teams traded bruising defensive stops, and neither scored during the first three minutes.
• Tang Tian drove through the defense and hit a contested fadeaway over Morris and Paul for the game’s first field goal.

Tang Tian dominated the opening against the Rockets, scoring the Pelicans’ first nine points while his sons watched from courtside. After the Rockets briefly adjusted, Tang Tian blocked Chris Paul's shot and finished a spectacular fast-break dunk, leaving the game at 9-2.

• Tang Tian scored twice and disrupted James Harden's shots as the Rockets struggled to score.
• Tang Tian made a three-pointer on a fast break to put the Pelicans ahead 7-0, then high-fived his sons during the timeout.
• Chris Paul ended the Rockets' drought with a mid-range jumper, and the Rockets' defense stopped Tang Tian and Jrue Holiday on the next possession.
• Tang Tian blocked Paul's pull-up jumper, raced downcourt, and slammed in a bow-bodied Tomahawk Dunk to bring the Pelicans' lead to 9-2.

Tang Tian dominated the opening of the Pelicans-Rockets playoff game, and New Orleans led by seven at halftime despite a strong Rockets bench run. After the break, he scored over a three-man defense, leaving the Pelicans still ahead as the second half began.

• Tang Tian blocked Harden’s shot, then found Davis for a dunk as the Pelicans built an early lead.
• Tang Tian finished the first quarter with 14 points and 3 assists, while the Pelicans led 23 to 12.
• Gordon led the Rockets’ bench comeback, cutting the deficit before the starters returned and the teams traded baskets.
• Stevens told the Pelicans to run the offense through Tang Tian and warned him to prepare for more minutes if Williams and Bojan stayed cold.
• The Pelicans disrupted Paul and Cousins on the opening defensive possession of the second half, then Tang Tian hit a fadeaway over a three-man defense.

Tang Tian erupted for 16 points in the third quarter as the Pelicans built a commanding lead over the Rockets. The chapter left D'Antoni watching helplessly as the Rockets struggled to contain him.

• Cousins scored to open the second half, but Tang Tian answered with a five-point play after working with Jokic to beat the Rockets' double team.
• Tang Tian added a driving layup and a fast-break basket, stretching the Pelicans' lead to 12 points despite scores from Harden and Paul.
• Tang Tian hit a pull-up three, then Davis dunked after Tang Tian passed over the Rockets' collapsing defense, pushing the lead to 15 and forcing D'Antoni to call timeout.
• Harden made three free throws after drawing a foul, but Tang Tian responded with a fake-pass layup and a pull-up jumper to make it 57-41.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans past the Rockets with 50 points, then watched the Spurs take a huge lead over the Warriors before Leonard suffered a serious ankle injury. The Spurs' championship hopes appeared to collapse as the Warriors nearly erased their 25-point halftime lead.

• Tang Tian scored 30 points in the third quarter and finished with 50 as the Pelicans beat the Rockets 99-83 to end the series.
• Tang Tian brought his two sons to the postgame press conference and said they had become his new source of motivation.
• The Knicks defeated the Raptors by 20 points, with Lowry and DeRozan combining for 22 points.
• Tang Tian, Davis, and Diop watched the Spurs face the Warriors, and Diop revealed that Leonard had been dealing with a left ankle injury.
• Leonard scored 26 points by halftime as the Spurs built a 25-point lead over the Warriors.
• Leonard injured his ankle on a fall after a shot over Pachulia, and the Warriors went on an 18-0 run after he left the court.

After Pachulia’s foul ended Kawhi Leonard’s season, Tang Tian comforted Leonard and focused on the Pelicans’ second game against the Rockets. The Pelicans won 93-87 to take a 2-0 series lead, while D’Antoni acknowledged his late-game coaching mistake and suggested the Rockets could adjust for the next game.

• Davis and Diop condemned Pachulia’s foul, and Tang Tian said they would meet him again.
• The Warriors beat the Spurs 113-111, and Leonard told Tang Tian he believed the injury was an accident.
• The Spurs reported that Leonard had a season-ending ankle sprain, while the league cleared Pachulia and the Warriors did not suspend him.
• Tang Tian scored 15 points by halftime as the Pelicans and Rockets went into the break tied 42-42.
• The Pelicans repeatedly switched Tang Tian onto Cousins, and Holiday hit an open three during an 8-0 run that helped secure a 93-87 win and a 2-0 series lead.
• D’Antoni admitted he had made a mistake with his late-game tactics, leaving the next games open to further adjustments.

The Rockets surprised the Pelicans in Game 3 by starting Eric Gordon and using a defensive adjustment to limit Anthony Davis, while James Harden repeatedly attacked Nikola Jokic in mismatches. Houston took an early lead, and the chapter left the Pelicans searching for an answer as Tang Tian had yet to shoot.

• Eric Gordon won Sixth Man of the Year, and Tang Tian congratulated him before the Pelicans flew to Houston to prepare for Game 3.
• The Rockets started Gordon in place of Morris, catching Tang Tian and Stevens off guard.
• Harden opened the game by scoring step-back three-pointers against Jokic in mismatches.
• Davis scored on an offensive rebound and dunk, but the Rockets adjusted by putting Tucker on Jokic and keeping Cousins near the basket.
• The Rockets forced Davis into a missed mid-range shot, and Cousins secured the rebound as Jeff Van Gundy and Breen praised Houston's chances.