Chapter 49: Ten Wins Streak! Warriors Sweep Hornets in Three Quarters to Hold West’s Top Spot

The player introduction ceremony began, and when Tang Lei's name was called, the Oracle Arena erupted in deafening cheers. Tang Lei had fully won over the Warriors' fans after his triumphant return against the 76ers, cementing himself as a crucial piece in Golden State's championship puzzle.

Game Start

Starting Lineups:

Warriors: Curry, Thompson, Green, Iguodala, Tang Lei

Hornets: Kemba Walker, Lamb, Zeller, Williams, Batum

Green and Zeller lined up for the jump ball. With his reach advantage, Zeller tapped the ball over to Walker, who, seeing the Warriors' slightly relaxed defense, confidently launched a three-pointer, sinking it smoothly for the opening basket.

But the Warriors responded with authority. Curry, Thompson, and Tang Lei each sank a three-pointer, putting Golden State ahead 9–3. The Hornets struggled to find rhythm, except for Kemba Walker, who managed a determined layup against Green, drawing a foul and converting the free throw. Despite Walker's efforts, the Warriors continued to rain down points with relentless accuracy, extending their lead to 14 points midway through the first quarter.

Coach Borrego quickly called a timeout for Charlotte and substituted in Tony Parker, replacing the struggling Lamb. The seasoned Parker added stability, helping the Hornets close the gap to seven points by the end of the first quarter, trailing 38–31.

The Warriors began the second quarter with Green and Thompson leading the reserves, giving Curry and Tang Lei a chance to rest. When the Hornets cut the lead to just three points, Coach Kerr reinserted his star duo, and Curry and Tang Lei promptly answered with back-to-back threes, restoring a comfortable nine-point cushion.

The first half concluded with the Warriors leading 62–45, fueled by Curry's 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists, as well as Tang Lei's impressive 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Since adding length to his wingspan, Tang Lei's rebounding and defensive impact had become even more pronounced.

The Warriors opened the second half with unrelenting intensity. Thompson went on a shooting spree, making 5 of 6 three-pointers to lead an offensive blitz that saw the Warriors extend their lead to a daunting 30 points by the end of the third quarter. With the game in hand, the starters were able to clock out early, having secured the team's tenth consecutive win and solidifying their place at the top of the Western Conference.

The Warriors ultimately claimed a decisive 121–102 victory, with their Big Three of Thompson, Curry, and Tang Lei combining for an astounding 67 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. Tang Lei's performance stood out, notching a 20+5+5+5 stat line in just three quarters, a feat that set yet another NBA record for youngest player to reach such numbers.

After the game, Tang Lei earned another 3 attribute points and 8 system credits from his Basketball God System. Still riding high from his recent adjustments, he immediately added all 3 points to his wingspan, which now reached an impressive 2.19 meters—17 centimeters beyond his height of 2.02 meters. This marked the maximum extension allowed for his wingspan, creating a nearly "non-human" physical profile.

After post-game interviews and a team celebration, the Warriors boarded the bus, heading toward their next stop: an away game against the Brooklyn Nets. This matchup would mark their final game of 2018, closing out a remarkable year for Tang Lei and his team.