Chapter 97: “Give Me Two Minutes, I’ll Be Ready to Come Back”

Nuggets' Jamal Murray stepped up and sank the technical foul free throw, followed by Jokic making another from the line, pushing the Nuggets' lead back up to 19 points, 83-64. Warriors fans worldwide were on edge. With just over three minutes left in the third quarter, a 19-point deficit on the road seemed insurmountable. To make matters worse, Tang Lei was already carrying four fouls, and the Warriors' rhythm was visibly disrupted.

Sensing the urgency, Curry and Durant took charge. On the next possession, Curry found a gap using Green's screen and took a drifting three-pointer, landing it cleanly. 83-67, cutting the lead down to 16. Shortly after, Curry capitalized on a Nuggets turnover, confidently hitting a transition three-pointer. The arc was perfect, and the ball fell through the net! Curry's shooting touch seemed to be back on track.

With the score now at 83-70, the Warriors had clawed back 6 points in quick succession, reinvigorating their spirits. The bench erupted in cheers, and Tang Lei couldn't help but leap up, shouting encouragement. Nuggets' coach Mike Malone immediately called a timeout to halt the Warriors' momentum.

During the timeout, the Warriors gathered around Curry, high-fiving him as they rallied their resolve. Fans watching live across the world were equally fired up, flooding the chat with messages of support as hope for a comeback flickered. Both teams kept their current lineups on the court when play resumed, ready for an all-out battle.

The Nuggets managed to regroup momentarily, with Murray and Jokic linking up for a smooth two-pointer to steady their lead. On the Warriors' next possession, Curry was double-teamed by the Nuggets, forcing him to pass quickly to Thompson in the paint. Thompson caught the ball and leapt for a shot, but Beasley came flying in from the side. Mid-air, they collided, sending Thompson crashing painfully to the floor, letting out a pained cry.

The arena fell silent instantly. Curry clutched his head, visibly distressed, as the Warriors' medical team rushed out to assess Thompson. The Warriors' bench looked on anxiously, each face marked by concern. Fans held their breath, dreading the thought of losing a player, especially someone as resilient as Thompson, at such a crucial moment.

After a brief assessment, Thompson was helped to his feet by the medical staff and teammates, though he was limping noticeably and clearly couldn't continue in the game. Beasley appeared remorseful, offering repeated apologies. Thompson, showing sportsmanship, gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, though his eyes betrayed a sense of frustration. As he was about to be escorted off, Thompson suddenly turned back, signaling his intent to take the free throws himself. This decision drew thunderous applause from the entire arena.

Even in a rival stadium, the audience couldn't help but be moved by Thompson's sheer resilience. Injured yet unwavering, he demonstrated the composure and determination of a top-tier player. As he lined up, he focused and took his shot, sinking it cleanly to bring the score to 85-73. After the free throws, Green committed an intentional foul, allowing Coach Kerr to substitute Thompson out.

Smiling through the pain, Thompson looked at Kerr and said, "Give me two minutes to rest, and I'll be ready to come back." With that, he limped back toward the locker room, Warriors players giving him pats of encouragement as he passed by.

For the remaining minute of the third quarter, the Warriors attempted to chip away at the lead, but both teams struggled to convert on several possessions. By the end of the quarter, the Nuggets maintained their advantage, leading 85-73 with a 12-point cushion going into the final quarter.

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