Knicks vs. Bulls VI
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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~
~~~(Date: October 22nd, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: Madison Square Garden, New York)~~~
~~~(Time: 4:45 PM)~~~
We start making our way to our bench as the Bulls do on their end too. My mind focuses on the first quarter of the game and how that went. If I can keep playing like that, then I don't have to worry about failing the Mission the system had given me.
My teammates are gassed from the tough first quarter, but I can also see the Bulls are just as tired as my teammates. My badges are preventing me from getting tired, and it makes me stand out even more. But hey, people won't start questioning it.
I'm a professional athlete.
"They're really hitting us hard out there, and the refs aren't doing us any favors. That's for fucking sure. Do you think they'll come into the second quarter looking for hard fouls like at the start of the game?"
Barrett is sitting next to me and starts to ask questions. I couldn't be certain what the Bulls are planning to do, but they do know the refs are on their side. Which means they'll use it.
"I'm willing to bet that you're on the right track, Barrett. No way to be sure, though. Just be ready for when things get tough, cause I think you'll all have it sent your way."
What I mean by it... Shit.
Before Barrett can question me more, Tom walks over and folds his arms. He's not mad at us, but I can see the worry on his face.
"Ulysses, you'll be sitting out the entire second quarter. You're in deep foul trouble, and we'll need you for the second half. That means you're all going to have to dig down deep. They're going to take advantage of this."
I figured as much. I could insist that I play, but I want to know how my team will fair without me. When I'm on the court, it's fucking hard to beat us. But I want to know how difficult it'll be to win if I weren't out there.
The Bulls are going to be happy about this, but there is nothing we can do about it. The refs have thoroughly fucked this game and me.
"Alright, go out there and show New York you can win without me."
It's not something most Players say to their teammates. But I know how good I am, and how valuable I am to the team.
It doesn't take long, but the break ends and the second quarter begins.
I'm stuck on the bench watching, and from the opening possession, I can tell this is going to be rough. The Bulls score 6 straight points in the first minute thirty of the second quarter. Proving that I'll have a tough game when halftime comes around.
The score is now 34 to 26 in our favor. In less than two minutes, the Bulls turned a 14-point deficit into an 8-point one.
~~~(POV: Ellie)~~~
~~~(Date: October 22nd, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: Madison Square Garden, New York)~~~
~~~(Time: 5:01 PM)~~~
Halftime is only 12 seconds away, and the scoring run by the Bulls has completely deflated the people of New York.
The score is 66 to 49 in the Bull's favor. Almost a 20-point lead and Ulysses has been on the bench since the end of the first quarter. I don't like how they've put so much pressure on my son, but Ulysses will respond the way everyone in the Arena is hoping.
Zach Lavine puts up a shot as the buzzer winds down and sinks a 2-pointer. Causing groans, moans, and boos from the crowd. It's adding a lot of salt to the opened wound, and that's being felt all over the Arena.
The score has widened just a little more. Now it's 68 to 49. A 19-point lead as halftime starts.
I can see the anger and frustration on the Knicks Players, and I know for a fact Ulysses will be starting in the third quarter. I look at my son, and I see a calm expression. He's not bothered by any of this.
Maybe he'll finally stop holding back. I want him to unleash everything. He's always trying to get his team involved. Making sure he's doing the right thing.
But he knows that sometimes, you gotta be a ball hog and score.
Which I have a feeling Ulysses will start doing.