Chapter Summaries

Tang Tian’s clean MRI reassured fans, while the Warriors searched for a way to stop him before facing elimination in Game 6. The Cavaliers beat the Knicks to reach the Finals, leaving the Pelicans and Warriors to decide the Western Conference champion.

• Tang Tian’s examinations showed he had no injuries, and fans looked ahead to the rest of the Western Conference Finals.
• Steve Kerr, Ron Adams, and Galin Collins discussed how to defend Tang Tian, and Collins identified his ball handling as a possible weakness.
• Collins proposed pressuring Tang Tian’s dribble with layered defenders, and Adams developed the tactic further as Cole approved the plan.
• The Knicks took an early lead against the Cavaliers, but LeBron James led Cleveland to a 106–93 win and a place in the Finals.

The Warriors and Pelicans opened Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals with both teams struggling to score amid intense defense. Klay Thompson caught fire with three consecutive three-pointers, giving the Warriors an early spark as the first quarter continued.

• Green rallied the Warriors before tipoff, and Cole's plans helped raise the team's morale.
• The teams began Game 6 without Jokic and Pachulia, whose injuries left the Pelicans without Jokic for the rest of the playoffs.
• Davis and Curry missed early shots, while Tang Tian was stopped by Durant and also missed.
• Holiday missed a fast-break three, and the teams continued to struggle against strong defense.
• Thompson made two consecutive three-pointers to score the game's first points and ignite the Oracle Arena crowd.
• Tang Tian scored on a cut, but Thompson answered with his third straight three-pointer.

Klay Thompson erupted for 23 first-quarter points as the Warriors built a 17-point halftime lead over the Pelicans in Game 6. With Tang Tian struggling against the Warriors’ targeted defense, Stevens urged him to play more off the ball, and Tang Tian planned to focus more on defense.

• Klay Thompson hit three consecutive three-pointers, forcing Stevens to call a timeout as Tang Tian recognized his Game 6 scoring surge.
• Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday helped the Pelicans cut the Warriors’ lead to one, but Thompson’s layup and three made free throws restored the Warriors’ momentum.
• Klay Thompson scored 23 points in the first quarter as the Warriors took an 18-point lead over the Pelicans.
• Anthony Davis helped the Pelicans reduce the deficit during the second-quarter bench minutes, but Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant found their rhythm after the starters returned.
• The Warriors went into halftime leading 57-40, while Tang Tian had scored 9 points on 3-of-9 shooting.
• Stevens told Tang Tian to play more off the ball in the second half, and Tang Tian said he would devote more energy to defense.

The Warriors opened the second half with a 22-point lead, but Tang Tian sparked a Pelicans rally by stealing the ball three times and scoring on each fast break. After the Pelicans cut the deficit to 12 with a 12-2 run, Steve Kerr called a timeout to stop their momentum.

• Klay Thompson hit a three-pointer and Stephen Curry drew a foul to extend the Warriors' lead to 22 points.
• Tang Tian hit a three-pointer, then stole Green's pass and scored a fast-break layup to cut the lead to 17.
• Tang Tian stole the ball from Green again and finished with a dunk, trimming the deficit to 15 points.
• After Durant hit a jumper, Brogdon answered with a three-pointer for the Pelicans.
• Tang Tian ripped the ball from Durant and scored a finger roll, completing a 12-2 Pelicans run and cutting the lead to 12.
• Steve Kerr called a timeout as Tang Tian's steals threatened to bring the Pelicans back into the game.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans back from a 22-point deficit against the Warriors, recording a playoff quadruple-double and hitting the go-ahead three in the final seconds. The Pelicans won 114–113, eliminated the Warriors 4–2, and advanced to the Finals.

• Tang Tian's steals, scoring, and assists fueled the Pelicans' comeback as he closed in on a quadruple-double.
• Klay Thompson scored 41 points, but Tang Tian's late steals and fast-break plays cut the Warriors' lead to a tie.
• After Durant gave the Warriors a two-point lead, Tang Tian hit a three-pointer with eight seconds left to put the Pelicans ahead.
• Anthony Davis disrupted Durant's final shot, and Tang Tian secured the rebound as the buzzer sounded.
• The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 114–113, completed a 22-point comeback, and advanced to the Finals after winning the series 4–2.

The Pelicans overturned a 22-point deficit to defeat the Warriors and reach the Finals, with Tang Tian recording a historic playoff quadruple-double. After the celebration, Tang Tian concealed a shoulder injury from the press as the team prepared to face the Cavaliers.

• The Pelicans defeated the Warriors in the final seconds, and Tang Tian recorded 29 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, and 10 steals for a playoff quadruple-double.
• Curry congratulated Tang Tian, while Thompson urged him to win the Finals as the Pelicans celebrated their Western Conference title.
• Tang Tian told his teammates he was injured and asked them to keep the shoulder problem from the public.
• The team doctor iced Tang Tian's shoulder, and Tang Tian planned to have it examined the next day.
• At the press conference, Stevens explained Tang Tian's absence by saying he was celebrating with Olson and their sons.

The league announced its All-Rookie, All-Defensive, and All-NBA Teams, highlighting Tang Tian’s growing collection of honors before the Cavaliers and Pelicans’ Finals rematch. On TNT, Jordan enthusiastically predicted Tang Tian would win a third straight championship, leaving Tang Tian desperately trying to temper the praise.

• The league named Brogdon to the All-Rookie First Team, while Siakam missed out.
• The league selected Tang Tian to the All-Defensive First Team for the fifth time and to the All-NBA First Team for the third time.
• TNT invited Tang Tian and Jordan to discuss the upcoming Finals between the Cavaliers and the Pelicans.
• Jordan backed Tang Tian and predicted he could win three consecutive championships, while Tang Tian coughed and tried to warn him not to jinx the Pelicans.
• Tang Tian pointed out that Nikola could not play, but Jordan insisted that Tang Tian’s presence was what mattered.

The Cavaliers defeated the injury-hit Pelicans 103-92 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals as LeBron James recorded a 41-point triple-double and Tang Tian struggled with his injured shoulder. Jokic was cleared to return for Game 2, but Tang Tian privately warned Stevens not to risk Jokic’s future by bringing him back too soon.

• Tang Tian told Davis his shoulder was manageable, and Stevens asked Davis to take on more responsibility because Tang Tian was injured.
• Whiteside struggled against Diop, but James and Love led the Cavaliers as Tang Tian’s poor shooting helped them win Game 1, 103-92.
• Whiteside posted a boastful message declaring Cleveland champions, while fans speculated that Tang Tian and Jokic’s injuries had left the Pelicans in trouble.
• Stevens considered changing the starting center for Game 2 before Jokic said he felt ready to play, and the team doctor cleared him with a warning about the risks.
• Stevens announced that Jokic would start with limited playing time, but Tang Tian privately urged Stevens not to gamble with Jokic’s future.

With Nikola Jokic ruled out and Tang Tian still recovering from a shoulder injury, the Pelicans started Montrezl Harrell against the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Finals. Harrell made an immediate impact, and the chapter ended with him dunking over LeBron James.

• Tang Tian persuaded Brad Stevens to protect Nikola Jokic from aggravating his injury, so Stevens ruled Jokic out and chose Harrell to start instead.
• Stevens rallied the Pelicans and urged Anthony Davis to step up, while Davis stayed after practice to take extra shots.
• Harrell replaced Diop in the starting lineup, and Tang Tian opened the game by making a jumper as his shoulder gradually recovered.
• Harrell grabbed an offensive rebound that led to a Davis basket, then attacked the rim again after Tang Tian missed.
• Harrell leaped over James and slammed the ball through the hoop, stunning the crowd and Tang Tian.

Harrell energized the Pelicans early, but they trailed the Cavaliers at halftime. Davis took over after the break, scoring 37 second-half points as the Pelicans won 108-98 and tied the series.

• Harrell opened with a putback dunk and a spectacular block, but the Cavaliers targeted him and led 50-45 at halftime.
• Tang Tian encouraged Harrell and asked Davis to take more shots in the second half.
• Davis scored repeatedly against the Cavaliers, cutting their lead and helping the Pelicans take control.
• Davis scored 23 points in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth, finishing with 47 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
• The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 108-98 at home, tying the series.

After the Pelicans beat the Cavaliers, Davis revealed that Tang Tian had been playing through a shoulder muscle strain, explaining his poor shooting in the Finals. Tang Tian downplayed the injury and said he might not need his shoulder pad next game, while Davis promised he would return soon.

• Davis led the Pelicans with a dominant performance, and Tang Tian recorded a triple-double in the win over the Cavaliers.
• At the postgame press conference, Tang Tian and Stevens praised Davis for his performance.
• A FOX Sports reporter challenged Tang Tian's poor shooting, and Davis revealed that Tang Tian had been playing through an injury.
• Tang Tian stopped Davis from saying more and explained that he had a shoulder muscle strain that was not serious.
• Tang Tian said he might not need his shoulder pad next game, and Davis assured reporters that he would return soon.

As reports of Tang Tian’s injury shifted opinion toward the Cavaliers, the Pelicans stayed relaxed and traveled to Cleveland for Game 3. Tang wore his Shoulder Pad despite telling reporters he felt better, and the game began with him attacking Love.

• Reports revealed Tang Tian had been injured, and fans grew pessimistic about the Pelicans’ chances in the Finals.
• Tang spent time with Olson and his sons before leaving for Cleveland, where he reassured them he would win.
• The Pelicans arrived in Cleveland, joked about winning two games before celebrating the championship back home, and held an open practice.
• Tang told reporters he felt better, but he still wore his Shoulder Pad when Game 3 began in Cleveland.
• The team doctor told Stevens that Tang had recovered to seventy or eighty percent, and Tang opened the game by attacking Love with a pull-up jumper.

Tang Tian removed his Shoulder Pad during the third quarter and recovered his shooting touch, scoring a playoff-record 32 points in the period as the Pelicans rallied past the Cavaliers. The Pelicans won 116-105 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

• Love and Davis scored effectively as the Cavaliers led the Pelicans 60-48 at halftime.
• After Cleveland fans taunted him, Tang Tian removed his Shoulder Pad during a timeout and made consecutive shots against the Cavaliers.
• Tang Tian caught fire, scored 32 points in the third quarter, and led the Pelicans to an eight-point lead entering the fourth.
• Tang Tian added 12 points and four assists in the final quarter as the Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 116-105.
• Tang Tian finished with 52 points, seven rebounds, 11 assists, and three steals, giving the Pelicans a 2-1 series lead.

Tang Tian’s restored shooting touch helped the Pelicans beat the Cavaliers in Game 3 and regain home-court advantage, while fans and reporters questioned James about the loss. As Tyronn Lue and Drew discussed how to stop Tang, a fan’s Twitter suggestion made Lue smile.

• Fans celebrated Tang Tian’s 32-point quarter and predicted that the Pelicans would defend their title.
• Tang Tian told reporters he believed the Pelicans could win the championship.
• James praised Tang Tian’s performance and said fans should respect their opponents, despite privately blaming their chants for provoking Tang Tian.
• The Pelicans took a 2-1 series lead, and Cavaliers fans debated strategies for limiting Tang Tian.
• Lue and Drew discussed plans for the next game until a tagged Twitter post appeared to give Lue an idea.

Lue and Drew devised a plan to copy the Warriors’ defense against Tang Tian, while the Pelicans secretly trained to prepare Tang for that tactic. Before Game 3, Whiteside began hinting at the Cavaliers’ strategy to reporters, but James arrived before he could reveal it.

• Lue explained a crowd-sourced defensive plan to Drew, and they decided the Cavaliers could copy the Warriors’ tactic against Tang Tian.
• Tang Tian warned Stevens that the Cavaliers would likely target him and asked to simulate the Warriors’ defense in practice; Stevens agreed.
• The Pelicans held a closed-door full-court drill, and Tang Tian gradually adjusted to pressure from Holiday, Ariza, and Davis.
• The Cavaliers kept their practice public and declined interviews, but Whiteside stopped to answer reporters’ questions.
• Whiteside said the Cavaliers planned to limit Tang Tian and began to reveal their tactics before reporters spotted James and rushed toward him.

The Cavaliers tried to contain Tang Tian with a defense modeled on the Warriors’ strategy, but the Pelicans had prepared counters that let them score repeatedly. The Pelicans took an early 6-2 lead in Game 4, leaving Lue and Drew baffled by how readily their plan was being defeated.

• James pulled Whiteside away from reporters and warned him to follow team rules before the Cavaliers and Pelicans met for Game 4.
• Cleveland fans filled Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and Lue watched Stevens closely, believing the Pelicans had not anticipated his tactics.
• Whiteside won the tip, then dunked off a pass from James to give the Cavaliers the first basket.
• Tang Tian used a high post pick and roll, then passed to Harrell for a dunk when James cut off his drive.
• Tang Tian changed approach on the next possession and hit a pull-up jumper over Love, then assisted Davis for a finish that put the Pelicans ahead 6-2.

The Pelicans routed the Cavaliers 110-96 in Game 4, taking a 3-1 Finals lead as the Cavaliers’ much-anticipated tactic against Tang Tian failed. After the game, Tang Tian said the Finals had been less intense than the Pelicans’ scrimmages.

• The Cavaliers’ defensive schemes failed in the first half, and Tang Tian scored 26 points as the Pelicans built a 58-43 halftime lead.
• James and Irving opened the second half with an 8-2 run, but Tang Tian led an 8-0 Pelicans run that restored their advantage.
• The Cavaliers briefly trimmed the deficit in the fourth quarter, but the Pelicans’ starters held on to win 110-96 and take a 3-1 series lead.
• Tang Tian finished with 41 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists, while Davis recorded 31 points and 11 rebounds.
• At the postgame press conference, Tang Tian said the game was less intense than the Pelicans’ team scrimmages.

Tang Tian’s postgame comment sparked a fierce argument between Pelicans and Cavaliers fans, while the Cavaliers headed to New Orleans facing a 1-3 Finals deficit. James wrestled with doubts about his future and his chances against Tang Tian, but James Jones’s encouragement renewed his resolve to fight for a comeback.

• Tang Tian tried to clarify that the Cavaliers’ defense had felt easier than the Pelicans’ practice defense, but reporters and fans took his remarks as a provocation.
• Fans argued fiercely online after the press conference, and the Cavaliers prepared to face the Pelicans in New Orleans with their season nearly over.
• James reflected on his career, his diminishing chances of winning a title, and whether he should remain in Cleveland.
• James Jones reminded James that the team believed in him, and James resolved to take the series one game at a time.

The Cavaliers took a commanding lead in Game 5 as LeBron James and JR Smith caught fire, but Anthony Davis sparked a Pelicans rally with consecutive defensive plays. As Davis completed a 2+1, Stevens finally called Tang Tian into the game.

• James said he believed the Cavaliers could come back from 1-3, while Whiteside made a more boastful claim during interviews.
• Olson asked Tang Tian whether she should wear her wedding ring in case the Pelicans won the championship that night, and Tang Tian told her to wear it.
• James scored 17 first-quarter points and led the Cavaliers to a 35-26 lead, while JR Smith helped push their advantage past 15 in the second quarter.
• James and Smith kept the Cavaliers ahead, and the team entered the fourth quarter leading the Pelicans 95-80 despite Tang Tian's 30 points and Davis's 16.
• After the Cavaliers stretched their lead to 19, Davis blocked Whiteside and Tristan Thompson on consecutive possessions, then dunked through Whiteside's foul for a 2+1.
• Stevens called Tang Tian into the game as Davis prepared to take his free throw.

Tang Tian returned to the game and helped the Pelicans cut into the Cavaliers’ lead by defending James. The chapter ended with Davis blocking James after Tang Tian had already stopped him once, leaving the Pelicans eight points behind and sensing an opening.

• Tang Tian checked in, and Davis made his and-one free throw to reduce the Pelicans’ deficit to 13 points.
• James and Tang Tian traded baskets as the Cavaliers maintained their lead, reaching the final four minutes ahead 112–100.
• Tang Tian asked Stevens to let him guard James, and Davis scored after Tang Tian drew a double-team to cut the deficit to 10.
• Tang Tian blocked James’s James Step, grabbed the rebound, and launched a fast break that ended with Ariza scoring to make it an eight-point game.
• James tried another James Step, but Davis blocked his shot out of bounds.