OKC vs Knicks 2

"Charles, the Knicks haven't exactly been a comeback team this season, right?" Kenny Smith asked as the fourth quarter loomed.

"Exactly," Barkley nodded. "It's either they hit first, or get hit hard."

It was true. Most of the Knicks' wins came from setting the tone early. If they fell behind, it often stayed that way.

Now, they were trailing 90–78 at Madison Square Garden heading into the final quarter.

Coach Mike D'Antoni made the call—Lin Yi was going in to start the fourth.

First assistant coach Herb Williams leaned in with concern. "Mike, we're nearing playoff time. It's just a regular-season game. Shouldn't Lin rest up?"

D'Antoni gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Herb, at some point, you've got to take the reins. And remember, we're not obsessed with second place in the East. The fact that we're even in the mix is a credit to this team."

He paused before continuing.

"People love Lin now—for the highlights, the interviews, the buzz. But all that fades. In this league, it's about what you accomplish. When the playoffs come, everything tightens. Life-or-death situations. Lin's our anchor. These are the moments that shape him—and the team."

Herb nodded, silent for a beat. "You're right, Mike."

Of course, he still wanted to joke, Are you sure this isn't just your dramatic way of saying we're all in? But Herb knew better. He also knew he didn't stand a chance if D'Antoni challenged him to one-on-one.

...

The fourth quarter began with the Knicks rolling out Lin Yi, Harrington, Gallinari, Chandler, and Lou Williams.

Thunder responded with Ibaka, Jeff Green, Sefolosha, Harden, and Westbrook.

"They came prepared," Wu Xiaolei muttered in the press area.

"Xiaolei, do you think the Knicks still have a shot?" Qi Jun asked.

Wu Xiaolei bit the end of her pen, mulling it over. "Qi Jun, remember that Wildcats–North Carolina game?"

He nodded. "Yeah, when Curry had to step out due to an injury, and then came back swinging."

"Exactly. Lin Yi reminds me of that. He's confident—almost like he sees the game a beat ahead—but somehow it doesn't come off as arrogance."

"So what does that have to do with tonight?" Qi Jun asked.

Wu Xiaolei smiled slightly. "My gut says he's about to turn this around."

Qi Jun raised an eyebrow—That's it? Your gut? But something about the look in her eyes made him keep that thought to himself.

...

On the Knicks bench, Gallinari leaned over toward Lin Yi to crack a joke and lighten the mood.

But Ewing Jr. tugged his jersey. "Hey—shhh. Not now. He's locked in. Trust me, you don't want to mess with that focus."

Gallinari gave a small nod. He'd felt the shift, too. Lin had a different energy about him since halftime.

"Come on, Danilo," Ewing Jr. said, handing him a towel. "Fourth quarter's starting. Let's back him up."

...

With Lin on the floor, the Knicks opened the fourth.

Thunder coach Scott Brooks made a quick adjustment, managing minutes carefully.

"You've got four minutes, Kevin. If the Knicks get close, you'll have two more to close it."

Durant sat under a towel, breathing slowly and controlled. He didn't speak much—just nodded.

Brooks returned to the sideline. He doubted it'd even come to that.

The Thunder had been executing a modified "Jordan Rules" game plan all night—limit Lin Yi's touches, wear him down, and dare the rest of the Knicks to beat them.

You want scoring? Brooks thought. You've got Lin. We've got Durant.

On the court, the Knicks had barely crossed half when Lou Williams was met with Westbrook's relentless pressure.

"Damn, this guy never lets up," Lou muttered as he protected the ball, scanning for options. But the Thunder had clamped down, and he wasn't sure who to give it to.

Fifteen seconds left on the shot clock.

Lin Yi came up to the top of the key. Lou quickly passed it over and then caught Lin's subtle gesture.

Twenty-four. Spread the floor.

A classic move.

Ibaka was on Lin Yi tonight. He'd done decently over three quarters. Sure, Lin had made a few ridiculous shots, but Ibaka had held his own.

Thump, thump, thump.

Something was coming.

Ibaka raised his arms wide. You're going left again, huh?

Lin exploded to the right. Ibaka slid quickly to cut him off—

Nope, Ibaka realized too late.

Lin yanked the ball back with a crossover, shifting weight effortlessly. A fake into a step-back jumper?

Ibaka leaned in, ready to contest.

Too late.

Lin suddenly twisted his wrist, snapped the ball back, planted his foot hard, and blew by him. He rose with power and hammered in a tomahawk dunk.

First strike of the fourth quarter!

"In & out!" Wu Xiaolei's eyes widened in the media section.

"In & out. Lin with the jump-, NO, a fake! Tomahawk SLAMMMM!!" Barkley jumped up at the TNT desk, echoing the call.

Madison Square Garden erupted.

90–80. Knicks still down by 10, but the momentum was shifting.

"That was unreal," Wu Xiaolei whispered, struggling to find the words. As Lin Yi jogged back on defense, she suddenly remembered what he had once said to her during their first meeting.

"Wanna know what I'm best at?"

"Let me guess... shooting?"

"Nope. Dribbling."

She had scoffed then. A seven-footer bragging about his handles?

But it's starting to look like his thing.

Back on the floor, Westbrook took his time, waiting for a chance. He'd been deferring most of the night, but Durant was on the bench now.

He called for a pick.

Ibaka rolled to the rim after the screen, but Westbrook didn't pass.

Instead, he pulled up for a deep three at the top of the arc. Up 10, he figured a dagger might bury the Knicks for good.

Clang!

Off the rim.

Lin Yi boxed out perfectly and grabbed the board. The Knicks were off on the break.

The Thunder scrambled to get back, but the Knicks moved quicker.

Lou Wei got it back and pulled up for three off Lin's outlet pass.

Clang!

A miss.

Harrington fought for the board and tipped it before Jeff Green could reach it. The veteran's hustle kept it alive—Gallinari swooped in for the second-chance rebound.

Sefolosha couldn't match his timing.

Gallinari, eyes wide, snapped a pass back to the top.

Ibaka realized too late—

Lin Yi was already there.

He rose, graceful, like a painting in motion. Release. Flick of the wrist.

Swish.

"Seven-point game!" Wu Xiaolei shouted, unable to contain her excitement.

Over on the Thunder bench, Durant pulled the towel off his head.

Brooks didn't wait.

A timeout, Thunder.

Lin Yi had opened the fourth with five straight points and swung the energy back toward New York.

On the Knicks bench, Coach D'Antoni finally let out a breath.

"Solid start. Let's stick to the game plan now," he said, glancing around at his players.

Everyone nodded, but all eyes drifted to Lin Yi.

Because during the break after the third quarter, it was Lin who had quietly laid out the plan for this final push.

Back then, he had turned to the coaches and said—

...

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