Chapter 378: Yi Nan Takes the Court

At 7 p.m., the game began.

Due to Yi Nan's addition to the team, this game garnered significant attention in China.

Fans were eagerly anticipating the sight of Wade Dong and Yi Nan on the court together. Huang Yu, who grew up in Europe, was currently playing exceptionally well, but he couldn't match Wade Dong's brilliance, so he didn't receive as much attention in China. Domestically, his popularity might not even surpass that of the veteran Yi Nan.

This was the Kings' fourth meeting with the Suns this season and their last regular-season encounter.

In previous matchups, including last season, the Kings had not won a single game.

Especially in the last game of last season, the Suns defeated the Kings to secure 73 wins, breaking the regular-season record.

At the same time, Wade Dong achieved the league's first and only 'quintuple-double' and became the league's shortest-ever blocks leader.

For fans, that game was Wade Dong's crowning achievement.

However, for the Kings' players, it was as if they had been nailed to a pillar of shame, especially those who had experienced that game. They couldn't forgive the Suns or Wade Dong.

For instance, Cousins had performed exceptionally well in the three previous games against the Suns, but they still lost.

The referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the game.

Cousins and Durant jumped for the tip-off, and Durant tapped the ball to Wade Dong.

Wade Dong dribbled to the frontcourt, crossed over Gay, and then flicked his wrist, passing the ball to Thompson beyond the three-point line.

Swish!

Thompson rose for a three-pointer, and the ball went straight through the net.

Three-nothing!

This was why the Kings couldn't beat the Suns. Their defensive system couldn't contain the Suns' offense, who always found open shots.

The Kings' offense.

Isaiah Thomas dribbled, broke through Curry's defense, and went for a layup!

Smack!

Wade Dong blocked the shot.

Cousins yelled at Thomas, "Why didn't you pass me the ball?!"

"Huh..."

Thomas smirked.

It wasn't that he didn't want to pass to Cousins; it was just that Cousins was still eight meters away from the basket and was being guarded by Durant. Even if he got the pass, could he have made the shot?

Wade Dong blocked Thomas' layup, and as the ball flew out of bounds, Curry dove to save it, passing it to Durant, who then passed it to Wade Dong. After saving the ball, Curry fell into the stands and was caught by the spectators.

 - Your turn: Wade Dong dribbled to the frontcourt, crossed over McLemore, and pulled up for a mid-range jumper.

 - Swish!

 - The ball went through the net.

 - Five-nothing!

 - This was the difference in attitude between the two teams.

 - Curry's dive to save the ball was something the Kings might have let go. With the game just starting, it wasn't worth the risk of diving into the stands for a single ball.

 - The Kings' offense.

 - Some fans in the arena started chanting, "Dongge, you can get another quintuple-double!"

 - This comment caught Cousins' attention, and he glared at the chanting fans. Then, he demanded the ball in the low post, and Thomas passed it to Gay, who passed it to Cousins.

 - Cousins backed down Green, forcing him to retreat two steps.

 - Under the basket, Cousins spun and swung his elbow, hitting Green on the head and knocking him to the ground!

 - Clang!

 - Elbowing Green, Cousins jumped and slammed home a one-handed dunk!

 - "Defense! Defense!"

 - After scoring, Cousins urged his teammates to get back on defense, but the referee didn't give him any leeway, blowing the whistle.

 - "Offensive foul, number 15 of the Kings!"

 - "What did I do?!"

 - Cousins, called for an offensive foul, spread his hands and glared at the referee, clearly dissatisfied with the call.

 - Cousins didn't understand why he was called for a foul, but Green showed him.

 - "F**k you..."

 - Green didn't wait for his teammates to help him up; he got up and pushed Cousins.

 - "What are you doing?!"

 - Cousins pushed Green back.

 - As a fight seemed imminent, the teammates pulled Green and Cousins apart.

 - "No fighting..."

 - The conflict ended with both Green and Cousins receiving technical fouls.

 - The game had barely started, but the tension on the court was already high.

 - The Kings' play became more aggressive, and with seven minutes played in the first quarter, both teams had seven fouls each, and Cousins and Green had three fouls apiece.

 - As they walked off the court, they continued to argue.

 - Yi Nan watched, bewildered. He had only been away for a few years, and the NBA had become so savage?

 - The game was paused, and both teams returned to their benches.

 - With three fouls, Green would be on the bench for a while, but this didn't significantly impact the Suns. On the other hand, Cousins' absence was more challenging for the Kings.

 - Regardless of his temper, Cousins was still the Kings' star player.

 - Thibodeau asked Yi Nan, "Are you ready to play?"

 - "Huh?"

 - Yi Nan was so surprised by the sudden opportunity that he looked at Wade Dong for guidance.

 - Wade Dong encouraged him, "Yi Nan, I believe you're ready to play."

 - "Okay..."

 - Yi Nan nodded and told Thibodeau, "Coach, I'm ready to play."

 - Thibodeau instructed him, "You'll replace Green, but since you're not familiar with our team's tactics, just focus on defending the paint and don't let the Kings score easily down low."

 - "Okay!"

 - Yi Nan nodded again.

 - "Go, Yi Nan!"

 - "Go, Yi Nan!"

 - "Go, Yi Nan!"

 - Yi Nan was about to enter the game, and his teammates cheered him on.

 - Wade Dong smiled, "You didn't win the CBA championship this year, but don't take it to heart. After all, winning the CBA championship is more challenging. Now, work hard and strive for an NBA championship, which is relatively easier."

 - Yi Nan, "???"

 - ...

 - As Yi Nan took the court, Chinese fans went wild.

 - "Yi Nan is in the game!"

 - "Cherish this opportunity and strive to establish yourself in the NBA!"

 - "With Dongge by your side, I believe Yi Nan will make a name for himself."

 - "Go, Yi Nan!"

 - Chinese Live Stream.

 - Yu Jia smiled, "I didn't expect Yi Nan to get playing time so soon."

 - Zhang Zhiyuan, "Green already has three fouls, and the Suns need a power forward to replace him. Plus, the Kings aren't very strong, so it's reasonable to let Yi Nan play and adapt to the NBA's pace."