Summer League: Knicks v. Thunder II

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: July 19th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: On Court, Thomas & Mack Center)~~~

~~~(Time: 3:36 PM)~~~

[Mission Added!]

[The Singularity Is Coming...]

[Details: Show the world that you're where you belong, and there is nothing stopping you from being the best player in the world right out of the gate.]

[Objective 1: Score 45 Points, 12 Rebounds, 10 assists, 4 blocks, and 2 steals.]

[Objective 2: Don't Shoot Less than 80% from the Feild or Three-point.]

[Objective 3: Hold your Defensive Match-up (Scotty Hopson) to 20% or lower from the Field and Three-point.]

[Rewards: Upgrade to The Simulation Space, A New Badge]

[Failure: You must complete 2/3 Objectives, or all Stats will suffer an entire grade drop.]

The screen that's hovering in front of my eyes is something I've been waiting a long time to see. I've had missions from the system in the past. But nothing to this level before. It's actually getting my blood pumping.

I dismiss it with a thought, and I look toward the two Centers waiting for the ref to throw the ball up. Dewan Hernadez for my team and De'Quon Lake for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

[A/N: These are players from the G-League teams of both organizations this year.]

"You ready for this, Rookie?"

My match-up, Scotty Hopson, decides to speak to me before the ref throws the ball up. I simply look at him and then back at the tip-off.

The ref throws the ball up, Dewan wins the tip-off, and the ball heads straight into MJ Walker's hands. He tosses it to Kethan Savage, and we all make our way across half court. We get first possession. I head to my spot on the court, and I screen for Walker.

We shift, and Walker gets the ball passed to him. But the defense did a good job on the shift. So he passes to me, and I'm right at the elbow. I elevate immediately since Hopson is so much smaller than me, and I sink the shot for an easy 2 points.

The crowd was roaring when I had the ball, but as the ball swishes in. My whole body is vibrating. Knicks fans are filling the arena right now.

We're on defense now, and I'm covering my guy, Hopson. He tries to help his team with some screens. And he does a good job. I have to shift on defense and cover Rob Edwards, their Shooting Guard, going for a layup.

Too bad for him, I'm fast, and I run up behind him and block the ball off the back glass and land. My team is already on a fast break, and I'm running past others to catch up.

The difference between me and other players my size is on full display. I'm out running guards. Kethan sees me open on the wing and tosses it to me. I get an easy shot and sink a 3-pointer with a swish. My shot is just beautiful and has a high release point at perfection.

That's 5 points and 1 block in the first 3 possessions of the game. Oklahoma calls a timeout, and I'm heading back to the bench with my team.

I take a seat, and I start drinking some Gatorade.

"Okay, boys! This has been a great start, but our shifts were weak! Don't let Ulysses cover for your failed shifts and rush into the paint for a block! He shouldn't have to do that! But you guys did great on offensive shifts! Keep at it!"

Coach Yoshimoto keeps talking to the team, but I just drown him out, and I look to my left and see Ellie and Hannah with tears in their eyes. It's at this moment I realize how loud the arena really is. Coach had to yell to talk to us.

After another 30 seconds, timeout ends, and we're making our way back onto the court. Oklahoma has possession. Hopson is standing next to me as Sedrick Barefield brings the ball up. He's their Point Guard.

"I'll say this, Rook. You're not going to make this easy on us."

I ignore Hopson and focus on defense as Barefield makes it to the top of the 3-point line. I'm already moving to shift on defense, and I see a lazy pass to Hopson from Edwards come to him. I stick my fingers out in the passing lane and get a steal.

I toss the ball ahead to Kethan as he's charging down the court, and it's a perfect outlet pass. He scores an easy 2 points.

Making the score 7-0 in our favor, and I've already got 5 points, 1 block, 1 steal, and 1 assist. It's the 5th possession of the game after Kethan's bucket.