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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~
~~~(Date: October 22nd, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: Madison Square Garden, New York)~~~
~~~(Time: 5:58 PM)~~~
The timeout ends, and I make my way back onto the court with my teammates. The score being 119 to 117 is not something Tom liked, but he made sure we understood we're entering the final stretch of the game.
The Bulls bring the ball down the court, and there is less than 1:10 left on the game clock. Zach is handling the ball, and in a surprise to everyone. He elevates from way behind the line and puts up a shot. Knocking it off the backboard and into the net.
Scoring one of the most important 3-pointers I've seen in this game. We're out of timeouts too, and instead of bringing the ball down. I make my way to my spot on the wing and let Brunson bring it down. I'm going for the off-ball offense.
It takes me a moment to get free, and as I do. The pass makes it to my hands, and I take a long 2-pointer. Hitting the shot with nothing but net. Making the score 121 to 120. The crowd is going from dread to hope. Over and over as this game continues.
There are 38 seconds on the clock as Zach brings the ball down the court. They want a two-for-one, and that's something we've gotta stop. But to my displeasure, Kostos gets free from Jericho. Zach sees this and lobs the ball from where he's at.
Kostos catches it and dunks the ball hard. Screaming in the faces of the team as he does. There are 30 seconds left on the clock, and they'll have last possession.
We use the same plan as last time, and Brunson brings the ball down the court. The score is 122 to 121 in favor of the Bulls, and they're looking to make this our last possession. Brunson nearly loses the ball from a steal attempt.
He gets a bad pass off to me, and I'm soon swarmed by Bulls players. Kostos is making sure I don't have an easy shot.
There are 3 seconds left on the shot clock, and I'm far fucking out from the basket. A good 5 feet behind the 3 point line. I elevate with Kostos in my face, and I take my shot.
His hand collides with my shooting arm, and he blocks my landing spot. The whistle for the foul is heard. And to the utter despair of the Bulls, my shot sinks. Making the score 124 to 122, and I get a free throw.
"LET'S GOOOOOO!!!"
Brunson is more hyped than anyone, but they're all celebrating as if we won the game. I sink my free throw, making the score 125 to 122, and there are 2.9 seconds left on the game clock for the Bulls to do something.
They rush down the court and take a panicked shot. But it rims out, and the game buzzer goes off. The crowd goes nuts, and I place my hands on my hips and look up into the sky. I kiss my hand and point it upward.
That last shot was beautiful; I know my parents are watching me from above. My eyes slowly turn to where my mom is, and I see her bouncing up and down like a kid getting ice cream.
The Bulls are walking off the court and saying nothing as they do it.
~~~(POV: Ellie)~~~
~~~(Date: October 22nd, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: Madison Square Garden, New York)~~~
~~~(Time: 6:00 PM)~~~
"Oh, my God!!"
"Oh, my God!!"
"Oh, my God!!"
"I can't believe he really just did that!!!"
The words leave my mouth in rapid succession, and my eyes are locked on the boy I raised since he was a pre-teen. I can't imagine what the world is going to think after this game. It was one of the worst and most biased called games ever.
And Ulysses still won.
He won with so many things stacked against him. Brunson and Barret stepped up today, but the spotlight ends on my son. I look up toward the board and see his final stats.
47 Points, 10 Assists, 13 Rebounds, 1 Block, and 2 Steals.
He's short 3 points from a 50-point triple-double.
And with the win tonight, they're 2-0 on the season.