Sun's possession at the mid-court sideline.
Nash with the inbound pass...
Curry and Carlos swiftly reposition themselves, with Carter and Frye moving forward to create screens, aiming to provide Curry and Carlos with optimal opportunities to receive the ball and ample shooting space.
However...
The Thunder players are no fools.
Durant and Westbrook, like octopuses, tightly cling to Carlos, denying him not only shot attempts but also any chance to connect with the ball.
Of course...
"The Beard" Harden is keeping a close eye on Curry. With Curry hitting 7 three-pointers tonight and having a hot hand, he's a formidable opponent that must be prevented from comfortable offensive plays.
On the sidelines...
Nash holds the basketball, searching for an opportunity. Curry is covered, Carter has no opening, and Carlos struggles to find a good chance to receive the ball. The shot clock is ticking down, nearing 5 seconds.
"Swoosh!"
Carlos makes a quick cut towards the center circle, momentarily escaping Durant and Westbrook's defense. Nash's gaze is sharp.
"Splash!"
The ball is passed...
"Clap!"
The moment Carlos catches the ball, he drives towards the paint, facing Durant and Westbrook head-on. With a sudden stop and a lateral step...
"Squeak!"
An abrupt stop... It has to be quick...
With only 1.6 seconds left, Carlos has no choice but to make a quick stop.
Certainly, driving into the paint for a secure two-pointer would be a safer option, dragging the game into overtime and providing more opportunities for assists to complete the system's task of a 40+ triple-double.
Even though Curry is open beyond the arc, Carlos can't afford to let the sharpshooter take the shot, as time is running out. The thoughts are abandoned.
One meter outside the three-point line, Carlos makes a sudden stop, jumps, and shoots a three-pointer.
"Boom!"
Durant bends his knees and extends his long arms like a massive whip, just 1 cm away from blocking Carlos's shot. Yet, it creates significant disturbance.
As the ball leaves Carlos's hand, the red light on the shot clock illuminates.
"This is tough!"
"Carlos doesn't have a three-point skill. Shooting from a meter beyond the three-point line, facing Durant's long arms – this shot is harder than reaching the sky."
"It's over!"
"The Thunder has won!"
"Hahaha."
...
Watching the ball fly out, Thunder fans raise their hands, preparing to celebrate victory. Suns fans, however, gaze intensely at the airborne ball, seemingly forgetting to breathe, praying for Carlos's shot to go in.
The ball traces a strange trajectory in the air, heading towards the basket.
"Clang!"
The ball hits the rim and bounces up.
"Did it miss?!"
All Suns fans simultaneously gasp, and the hearts of Curry, Nash, Carter, and others pound nervously, reaching the peak of tension.
"We won!"
A Thunder fan can't contain the excitement.
However...
In the next instant...
The high-bouncing ball hits the inner rim as it descends, rolls along the inner rim for two rounds, and then... unbelievably drops into the net.
"Swoosh!"
The ball finally falls from the net.
Scored on the buzzer...
Carlos hits the three-pointer, once again sealing the win for the Suns!
Buzz!
The arena falls silent for a moment, then erupts into deafening cheers, as if a super bomb has been detonated on the court, creating a massive roar.
"Game-winner! We won!"
"Our Suns won!"
"From the Mexican center, Carlos, with the buzzer-beater!"
"Cool, that's truly amazing!"
At this moment...
Countless fans stand up, waving their arms, some even jumping in excitement, celebrating unabashedly. Some fans are so overwhelmed that tears of joy flow from their eyes!
That's right!
All the home fans start to enjoy the joy of the game-winning shot!
"Wow!"
"Carlos with the game-winner, a three-point buzzer-beater!"
"Ahhhhh!"
On the Suns' bench, Dragic and George jump up, disbelief written all over their faces. In the next moment, they rush onto the court to celebrate with Carlos. Meanwhile, Curry, Nash, and others have already embraced Carlos, celebrating the thrilling victory.
Inside the Mexican National Sports TV studio:
"Oh! My God!"
"Carlos hits a three-point buzzer-beater, facing Durant's block! What a performance! What a shot! Carlos is incredible, @^%!^&!"
Mario is so excited that his words become a bit incoherent.
Jose, with a big smile, adds, "Good, very good! This buzzer-beater shows that Carlos has a 'big heart.' A rookie with such a 'big heart' is a promising sign for Mexican basketball!"
Back to the arena:
The atmosphere in the Suns' home court is electric, reaching its peak of excitement.
As for the "Thunder's" trio led by Durant, they stare blankly at everything happening before them. Despite the undeniable reality, none of them can believe, or want to believe, that they have been defeated by a rookie center with a three-point buzzer-beater.
"How did this happen?!"
Harden is in a daze, his not-yet-formed "Beard" making him look a bit green. This touch of greenness adds a touch of innocence to his shocked expression.
Westbrook is speechless, beaten by a rookie to the point of madness. Durant, though wearing a grim expression, realizes that the rookie who sealed the victory is none other than a super rookie on par with "Shaq" O'Neal.
He knows he underestimated the opponent.
Durant doesn't approach Carlos but watches him from a distance, muttering softly, "Carlos, I was careless this time. Next time... back on my home court, I will seriously battle you. I'll vent the shame of today's defeat completely on you."
On the court:
"Carlos, you're so cool!"
Curry sincerely gives Carlos a thumbs up. Even if it were Curry taking that last three-pointer, he's unsure he could make it, feeling a bit nervous.
But Carlos...
Not only did he make it, but it was also a high-difficulty shot. Hitting a crucial three-pointer is not his strong suit, making this buzzer-beater even more impressive.
On their first night as teammates, Curry can't help but admire Carlos's skill and big heart.
"Fortunately, fortunately!"
Carlos scratches his head, smiling happily. If he had told everyone about his intention to go for overtime to achieve the system's "40+ triple-double" mission, who knows if his teammates would have beaten him up, even though that was indeed his plan.
"Although we won, I couldn't complete the system mission, and I missed out on acquiring Curry's three-point ability. It's a pity, a real pity!"
While the Suns players joyously celebrate the victory, Carlos feels a slight tinge of regret in his heart.