Chapter 32: Volleyball-Style Block! Warriors Force Timeout in First Three Minutes
With the grand introduction ceremony over, the game was about to begin.
Starting Lineups:
• Warriors: Curry, Thompson, Green, Looney, Tang Lei.
• 76ers: Embiid, Butler, Simmons, Harris, Redick.
The jump ball between Looney and Embiid, one of the league's most dominant centers, predictably went to Embiid, who tapped it to Ben Simmons. Simmons pushed the ball across half-court, quickly finding Embiid, who had established position down low. Simmons delivered a crisp bounce pass, and Embiid spun off Looney, finishing the play with a jump shot over him.
Score: 0–2
The Sixers struck first.
Looney inbounded to Green, who carried it up the court and passed it to Curry, already moving into position. Curry's quick fake sent Simmons flying, and he took advantage, driving in for an easy layup.
As Tang Lei contested Redick's next shot, the ball bounced off the rim. Looney grabbed the rebound and threw a quick pass to Tang, who sprinted upcourt. Facing Redick's defense, Tang wasted no time and pulled up from deep. The ball arched beautifully through the air, then swished cleanly through the net.
Score: 5–2
The Warriors took the lead.
Hearing the DJ call out his name and witnessing Caroline jump up and cheer for him filled Tang Lei with a renewed sense of purpose. This wasn't just for the crowd—seeing her excitement made him feel an added surge of motivation.
Today was different. He wanted to make a statement, not just because Caroline was watching, but to show Embiid that he was not to be ignored. He'd heard Embiid's dismissive pre-game comments loud and clear. If two game-winners and the youngest triple-double record didn't register, he was about to ensure Embiid would remember his name.
As Butler missed a three-pointer on the next possession, Green grabbed the rebound and pushed up the floor. Just as Tang Lei looped around to get free, he saw the defense wasn't treating him as a serious threat. The 76ers didn't have a tough defender assigned to him; evidently, they didn't think much of him. In their eyes, he was just another Asian player who had been lucky so far.
That only made him more determined.
With the ball in his hands and Redick in front of him, Tang Lei rose up for another three-pointer, unfazed by the minimal defense.
Swish! Another three-pointer!
Score: 8–2
Tang had scored six points in a row.
"Three-pointer from—Tang!!" the DJ called out again, his enthusiasm igniting the crowd.
Enthusiastic cheers erupted from around the arena, and Tang Lei could feel the energy of the fans who were slowly starting to believe in him. He knew that in this country, if you played well, people would rally behind you, respect you, and treat you like a hero.
Embiid looked over, finally taking notice of Tang Lei. Their eyes met, and Tang felt a surge of competitive fire as their gazes locked.
The 76ers inbounded, and once again, Embiid posted up, calling for the ball. As he spun past Looney and went up for the shot, a figure leaped up from behind.
Smack!
Tang Lei swatted the ball out of bounds, a volleyball-style block that sent the arena into a frenzy.
The crowd roared as Curry and the rest of the team came over to high-five Tang. Embiid's face darkened, clearly frustrated and eager to retaliate.
On the next possession, Embiid tried to force a shot but missed. Tang grabbed the rebound, pushing it up himself. Redick set his hands wide, anticipating a pass. But as Tang approached the Warriors' logo at midcourt, he pulled up and launched an audacious three.
Swish! Yet another three-pointer!
Score: 11–2
Tang had scored nine straight points, leaving the 76ers reeling.
"Timeout, Sixers!" yelled the DJ, his voice barely audible over the cheers from the fans. In just three minutes, the Warriors had forced the 76ers' head coach, Brett Brown, to call an early timeout.
The fans were hyped, thrilled to see their underdog Warriors dominate a championship contender. For them seeing the Warriors perform like this without Durant against a top team was a perfect Christmas gift.