Chapter 125: The Sky’s the Limit

Halftime adjustments set the stage for the Warriors' starters to return, while the Clippers deployed their strongest lineup to begin the third quarter. Down by 11 points, the Clippers knew they had no room for error.

The second half began with the Clippers catching fire, sinking three consecutive three-pointers from different players. The Warriors, in contrast, managed only a thunderous dunk from Klay Thompson.

Within minutes, the Warriors' lead shrank to just four points. The scoreboard read 62–58, and momentum seemed to shift toward the Clippers. 

But just as the visitors appeared ready to mount a serious comeback, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant stepped up. The duo combined for six quick points, restoring a double-digit lead at 68–58. 

Watching from the sidelines, Doc Rivers shook his head in frustration. Despite his team's valiant effort, the Warriors' ability to score in bursts was simply overwhelming. Across the court, however, Steve Kerr looked anything but satisfied. He noticed his team's wavering focus and relaxed body language—symptoms of overconfidence. 

"We can get away with this now, but it's going to bite us later if we don't fix it," Kerr thought to himself, already planning how to address these lapses in preparation for future rounds.

As the quarter wore on, the Warriors' stars alternated between dominating stretches and moments of complacency. Whenever the Clippers closed the gap, one of the Warriors' stars—Curry, Durant, or Thompson—would respond to keep the lead hovering around 10 to 15 points.

With just over five minutes left in the third quarter, Tang Lei subbed back in. By this point, the Clippers' starters were visibly fatigued from dealing with the relentless firepower of the Warriors' starting five. Sensing an opportunity, Tang Lei took charge.

Leading the second unit, Tang Lei spearheaded a late-quarter run that pushed the Warriors' lead to 20 points. By the end of the third, the scoreboard read 91–71, leaving the Clippers with a monumental deficit.

The fourth quarter began with Tang Lei unleashing his full arsenal. He dazzled with a mix of solo drives, pinpoint assists, and even a few steals that he converted into fast-break points. His relentless energy and versatile skill set left the Clippers scrambling for answers.

Even timeouts couldn't stem the tide. Within minutes, Tang Lei had extended the Warriors' lead to 30 points, effectively sealing the game. Garbage time arrived early.

From the bench, Curry, Durant, and Thompson watched in awe as Tang Lei put on a masterclass. His performance didn't just inspire admiration—it hinted at an unspoken truth: Tang Lei was playing with a chip on his shoulder, fueled by a desire to prove he belonged among the league's elite.

By the time Tang Lei left the court, the entire Oracle Arena was on its feet, showering him with applause. His final stat line was nothing short of spectacular: 31 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals in just 26 minutes. Unsurprisingly, he was named Player of the Game.

As Tang Lei walked off, his teammates lined up to greet him with high-fives and pats on the back. The camaraderie was evident, but one person in the arena wasn't sharing in the joy: Warriors GM Bob Myers.

Watching from his courtside seat, Myers wore a pained expression. Tang Lei's remarkable performance only deepened the conundrum facing the Warriors' front office. With Tang Lei set to become an unrestricted free agent, his market value was skyrocketing. If his playoff heroics continued, Myers knew the Warriors would struggle to retain him without compromising their already stretched payroll.

Across the Pacific

While the Warriors coasted through garbage time, the Tencent Sports Live chatroom erupted with activity.

"Tang Lei is unstoppable! The Clippers don't stand a chance!"

"This is legendary. Tang Lei keeps this up, and he's a lock for a max contract."

"The Warriors can't afford another max deal. If they can't pay him, Tang Lei should walk."

"Tang Lei: 'This isn't the only team in the league. I'll thrive anywhere!'"

"The Lakers could use him. He deserves to be a franchise player."

"LeBron: 'Are you joining to help me or to replace me?'"

"Forget the speculation. The focus now is winning the championship. Let's secure the three-peat first—everything else can wait!"

The Warriors' victory was a foregone conclusion, but Tang Lei's performance was a revelation. His rise from a supporting role to a game-changing force underscored one thing: the sky was the limit for Tang Lei, and the league was taking notice.