Coming out of the timeout, Steve Kerr went all in.
Every Warriors starter checked back in.
Malone?
He subbed out everyone except Wade, signaling that Cleveland was ready to close this one out.
This was it—the final battle of Game 1.
Through three quarters, it had been a war of attrition.
Jokić's emergence and Wade's resurgence had put Cleveland on equal footing with Golden State.
But now?
The fourth quarter belonged to Han Sen.
And with the Cavaliers already holding a double-digit lead, their win probability had skyrocketed to 80%.
The only thing that could flip the script?
A miracle from the Splash Brothers.
Steph and Klay were capable of bending reality when they caught fire.
And Malone knew it.
That's why he threw every defensive resource at them, forcing the ball out of their hands at all costs.
Hell, he even had Covington sag off LeBron, allowing him to get inside freely.
LeBron's lack of explosion on drives meant that even if he scored twos, as long as Cleveland kept their offense rolling, it would just burn more clock.
Since some people were already calling LeBron Cleveland's inside man, Malone might as well let him do the job for real.
---
But the miracle never came.
Cleveland held their ground, and despite a late push from the Warriors, the Cavaliers closed out a 126-118 victory.
Game 1 was in the books.
This wasn't just a win—it was a statement.
Fans would talk about Han Sen clowning LeBron and Wade's cutthroat celebration for days.
And that third-quarter scoring frenzy?
A must-watch classic.
This was the high-intensity Finals matchup the world had been waiting for—
Except the outcome wasn't what most people expected.
---
Postgame Press Conference – Warriors Camp
LeBron, sitting at the podium, kept his composure when asked about Han's fake handshake incident.
"That's the kind of thing kids do. I only focus on basketball."
The only correct answer—because what was he supposed to say?
That he got humiliated on live TV?
Then came the question about Wade's throat-slash gesture.
LeBron's demeanor changed.
"DW is my brother, but that celebration is banned. The league should penalize him."
The 'bigger man' act was in full effect.
Had Wade been anyone else, LeBron would've gone nuclear—
Probably demanding a suspension like Draymond last year.
But with Wade?
He kept it just subtle enough.
Steve Kerr was far less concerned about the antics.
"They played a near-perfect game, but keeping that up won't be easy. The Finals are just getting started."
He had a point—128 points wasn't Cleveland's usual scoring output.
Golden State's real counterpunch was coming.
---
Postgame Press Conference – Cavaliers Camp
Han Sen, seated at the podium, dropped a direct tribute to Kobe.
"We all know this is a war. Victory belongs to whoever wants it more."
No gimmicks.
Just cold, hard truth.
Then came the elbow question.
Han didn't even flinch.
"If LeBron wants to hoop, I'll hoop. If he wants to play games, I'll keep doing what I did today."
A straight-up warning.
The league wasn't about to suspend Han in the Finals—not for something as minor as an elbow.
Compared to dirty closeouts or mid-air shoves, this was nothing.
Han was simply playing the game within the rules—
While letting LeBron know exactly where he stood.
Wade was a good guy.
But Han Sen?
He was the league's most infamous villain.
---
Cleveland anticipated blowback from Wade's throat-slash gesture, so they kept him away from the media.
But avoiding it completely?
Impossible.
Han was immediately asked to comment.
"I think DW was just letting out some emotions—it wasn't personal."
The classic deflection.
But then—
"If the league fines him, will you cover it?"
Han laughed.
"You want me to pay the fine for a guy who's made $200 million in his career?"
If Wade really asked, Han would do it in a heartbeat.
Because that gesture wasn't just a celebration—
It was Wade severing ties with LeBron.
LeBron could never use Wade again.
Would Wade turn into a full-time LeBron hater? Probably not.
But LeBron?
He'd never get that same loyalty again.
---
As expected, the NBA handed Wade a $25,000 fine—but no suspension.
That throat-slash celebration?
One of the most banned gestures in league history.
Right below LeBron's infamous eye-pull three celebration from his first Cavs stint—
Which had racial connotations the league wanted buried.
But this time?
LeBron had no power to push for more.
The days of him dictating NBA policy were over.
---
While fans were still debating Game 1's wild moments, something completely unexpected happened.
Han's fake handshake and hair-slicking taunt had been too smooth—
So smooth that it accidentally made his shampoo sponsor go viral.
In the NBA, most players either had buzz cuts or went fully bald.
Less hair meant less sweat interference.
Even guys with longer hair kept it styled tight—cornrows, dreadlocks, or mohawks.
Nobody thought of shampoo sponsorships for NBA players.
Except Han.
Unlike most, he rocked a loose, flowing mid-length cut.
That's why, even back in his rookie year, he had landed a shampoo endorsement deal.
And now?
That one subtle taunt on LeBron had unexpectedly blown up on social media.
Sometimes, going viral wasn't about quality—
It was about timing.
---
Two days later, Game 2 tipped off in Oakland.
And this time?
Golden State had no margin for error.
Going down 0-2 before heading to Cleveland?
That was a potential death sentence.
And under those circumstances, the Warriors unleashed hell.
They shot 54% from the field.
An insane 60% from three.
They put up over 130 points.
Golden State's true power wasn't defense.
It was their explosive firepower.
The Splash Brothers caught fire.
LeBron attacked the rim with zero hesitation.
Every Warrior on the floor played like their season was on the line.
And just like that—the series was tied.
With each team taking a game in Oakland, the series now shifted to Cleveland.
This result?
Both sides could live with it.
For the Warriors, bouncing back after Game 1 was a must.
For the Cavaliers, stealing one road game meant they had flipped homecourt advantage.
Now?
Their job was to protect their house.
Game 3 was next.
And it was about to get even more personal.
---
Before Game 3 tipped off, both teams were locked in preparation.
Players trained.
Coaching staffs adjusted.
But the Cavaliers' social media team?
They were arming the fanbase.
On Cleveland's official account, they openly asked fans for ideas on how to rattle the Warriors.
And the comment section?
Pure gold.
Some fans pulled out old Clippers lore—suggesting using real-life models instead of posters to distract Golden State players.
Others went straight for the kill, focusing on LeBron's free throw struggles—proposing huge cutouts with messages like:
"Cleveland already has a real King."
Then came the classic 'Daddy' chants, a reference that had now transcended Boston and officially become an NBA-wide phenomenon.
The self-media era had no shortage of creativity, but what strategy the Cavs actually used?
That would only be revealed once the game started.
---
On game day, a light drizzle covered Cleveland.
But nothing was stopping this crowd.
If anything?
The cooler temperatures only made it more comfortable for fans arriving early.
The Cavs were fully prepared—even setting up a free poncho distribution area outside the arena.
Everything off the court was in place.
Now?
It was up to the players to execute.
---
During warm-ups, Han Sen made an unusual change.
Instead of his usual highlight dunks, it was Derrick Jones Jr. and J.R. Smith putting on the show.
Han?
He simply took his shots, then sat courtside, chatting with Malone.
Something was different.
Cleveland's game plan tonight wasn't the same as the first two games.
---
Starting Lineups Announced
Golden State Warriors:
- Stephen Curry
- Klay Thompson
- Andre Iguodala
- LeBron James
- Draymond Green
Cleveland Cavaliers:
- Han Sen
- J.R. Smith
- P.J. Tucker
- Robert Covington
- Nikola Jokić
Kerr made a lineup adjustment, rolling out a small-ball starting five.
Game 2 had been a shooting clinic, but hot hands weren't sustainable—especially on the road.
So tonight?
Golden State was ready to scrap.
This change caught Cleveland slightly off guard, forcing Malone to make last-minute adjustments in the huddle.
---
The opening whistle blew.
Jokić won the tip, tapping it back into Cleveland's possession.
And right away—the Cavaliers revealed their adjustments.
Jokić didn't go into the low post.
Instead?
He immediately pulled up to the high post—setting a screen for Han Sen.
A Han-Jokić pick-and-roll to start the game wasn't surprising.
But this?
This was a hard screen—no slip, no roll.
Which meant Han Sen was now matched up with Draymond Green.
Han wasted no time.
One hard step forward—then an instant stop for a mid-range jumper.
Bucket.
On the next possession, Thompson jumped the screen to double-team Han.
Han kicked it back to Jokić—who didn't pass.
Instead, Jokić reset the play, handing the ball back to Han before setting another stonewall screen on Klay.
Han went right back at Draymond.
This time?
Pump fake, step-through, easy bucket.
And as soon as the ball fell through the net—
Han dropped low, slapped the floor, and hit Draymond with a 'Too Small' celebration.
---
Malone's strategy was fully exposed.
He wasn't just hunting Draymond defensively—
He was trying to neutralize Golden State's only real interior defender.
If Draymond broke down, then Jokić would have free reign inside.
On the Warriors' bench, Mike Brown—a defensive mastermind and former Cavs head coach—was the first to react.
He shot up, yelling defensive adjustments.
But some things couldn't be fixed.
Han was too calculated when it came to mental warfare.
Draymond tried to keep his cool—but the cracks were showing.
If he had snapped over LeBron stepping over him, how was he supposed to handle Han deliberately targeting him?
Even if he didn't engage, his game was already suffering.
The biggest statistical impact?
Draymond's three-point shooting imploded.
He went 0-for-3 from deep in the first half—
And when he clanked his third miss off the rim?
Han didn't even hesitate—
"He has no three! Crash the boards!" he shouted to Jokić.
Green's frustration was boiling over.
You could see it in his body language.
And the Cavs fans?
They pounced.
---
When LeBron went to the free-throw line, a section of fans held up a massive crying LeBron cutout—
Right next to a sign that read:
"Cleveland already has a real King."
When Curry went to shoot free throws?
The front-row female fans took it up a notch—
Shedding their jackets to reveal bikini tops, blowing kisses right behind the basket.
Cleveland fans weren't picking just one method—
They were going all in.
And then—
The ultimate dagger.
Right before halftime, Draymond finally got to the line.
The crowd fell completely silent.
Then—
In perfect unison, the entire arena erupted into a chant.
"LEBRON WILL TRADE YOU!"
Draymond's entire playoff run had been solid.
But here?
In Cleveland?
Malone's game plan had completely unraveled him.
And this—this chant?
This was personal.
Because this wasn't just fan trolling.
It was something that might actually happen.
Draymond snapped.
He turned to the hecklers near courtside, screaming "SHUT UP!"
But the louder he got—
The louder they chanted.
Even the broadcast cameras were locked in.
Not on Draymond—
But on LeBron.
Standing at the free-throw line, expressionless.
Not saying a word.
That?
That was pure cinematic gold.
Han Sen?
He couldn't help it anymore—he laughed out loud.
For all the mind games he'd played, he never expected his own fanbase to be even more ruthless than him.
The power of the people.
And with that, Game 3 was officially off the rails.