Tang Lei's return, alive with energy, left the Warriors' medical staff and coaches in utter disbelief. This type of resilience was beyond anything they'd ever witnessed. But with their tests all clearing him to play, there was no reason to hold back. The game was still close, and with Tang Lei back, victory was within reach.
As he strode out from the locker room and onto the court, the Oracle Arena erupted into thunderous applause. The energy soared, disbelief melting into excitement at his return. Fans who'd braced for the worst now cheered Tang Lei's resilience. For some, it was the best gift they could've received on this Christmas evening.
Caroline, unable to hold back her emotions, found tears brimming in her eyes, and Tina, too, let out a sigh of relief. Beside them, fans all around the arena stood up in a roaring ovation, caught up in the unexpected surge of hope.
Across the ocean, viewers in the Tencent livestream chat were buzzing with excitement. Shocked and amazed, they sent out a flood of messages celebrating Tang Lei's return.
"Tang Lei's a beast! Not even that fall could stop him!"
"No way! Is this some kind of miracle?"
" He's gotta show the Sixers who's boss now!"
" let's go! Make them regret it!"
Even commentators Huang Meng and Yang Qun joined the celebration, both awestruck by Tang Lei's resilience. They reassured fans that his return had been cleared by the medical team, allowing everyone to focus on the game with their excitement building.
Warriors' Possession
The Warriors quickly called a timeout. With just three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the game was slipping from their grasp. The team's hard-won lead had been erased early in the final quarter, leaving them down by fifteen. Durant's absence was tough enough, but Tang Lei's injury had felt like the final blow.
"Are you ready for this?" Coach Kerr asked Tang, searching his expression.
"Coach, I've got this," Tang Lei replied, determination sparking in his eyes.
"Alright, everyone, listen up. We're down 15, so let's get fast. Move the ball quickly, keep it aggressive, keep it smart," Kerr instructed, locking eyes with each player in turn. "We need full energy on both ends!"
With fists raised in solidarity, the team's resolve was renewed. Tang Lei, however, knew this comeback would take more than just their best efforts. As his teammates rallied around him, he quickly accessed his system menu, investing 30 of his hard-earned points into activating "Eclipse Mode."
Tonight wasn't just about a comeback—it was about redeeming his performance and answering Scott's foul with undeniable dominance. Eclipse Mode, replicating Klay Thompson's devastating "Radiant Burst," would push him to an unmatched shooting rhythm. For a short time, he would transform into a player with near-flawless accuracy, raining down shots that could shred the lead and pull his team back from the brink. It was the ultimate weapon, a shot-for-shot answer that even the fiercest defense could barely touch.
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[Note] Eclipse Mode: A unique boost enabling a player to achieve an elevated shooting state, amplifying shot accuracy, range, and rhythm for a brief period. The effect mirrors Klay Thompson's iconic "Radiant Burst."
"'Radiant Burst' refers to Klay Thompson's historic third-quarter performance on January 23, 2015, against the Sacramento Kings, where he set an NBA record by scoring 37 points in a single quarter. In this game, Thompson was unstoppable: he went 9-for-9 from three-point range and shot a perfect 13-for-13 from the field overall, showcasing an unparalleled level of precision. This burst of scoring, in which he seemed to ignore any defense thrown his way, earned him the nickname 'Buddha's Light,' as fans likened his streak of high-efficiency scoring to a state of divine intervention. This phrase captures Thompson's unique ability to enter a "hot streak," where he becomes nearly unguardable and can accumulate points with incredible efficiency in a short period."