Chapter 126: Record Breaker! A 30+5+5 Playoff Debut

As the game wound down and garbage time began, both teams emptied their benches, sending in deep reserves. Even though they still had timeouts left, neither team found any reason to use them. With such a wide margin separating the Warriors and the Clippers, stopping the clock seemed unnecessary.

In the final moments, with just 15 seconds remaining, the Warriors chose not to attempt another shot. Instead, they dribbled out the clock, adhering to the NBA's unwritten rule: when leading by a large margin, the final possession is often foregone as a gesture of respect, conceding a harmless turnover. The clock expired without fanfare, cementing a decisive Warriors victory.

The last five minutes of play breezed by, completed in under six real-time minutes—a stark contrast to the grueling final moments of closely contested games. In those tense matchups, timeouts are called in rapid succession, fouls are traded, and coaches meticulously orchestrate every possession, often stretching two minutes into a half-hour of riveting drama. When controversy arises, officials review every angle, slowing the game to a crawl as anticipation builds.

But such theatrics were absent here. With the Warriors dominating, the game had lost its competitive edge well before the final buzzer. Even so, when stakes are high and the score is close, these drawn-out moments can be the most exhilarating part of a game, where basketball's true magic comes alive. Fans live for those clutch plays and buzzer-beaters that turn games into unforgettable moments of history.

This game, however, lacked such drama. For the Warriors, it was a foregone conclusion, and for their fans, it was a night to celebrate dominance rather than suspense.

As the Warriors secured their victory, reactions across the league poured in. Analysts and fans had anticipated a Warriors win, but few expected such a commanding performance. The Clippers, touted for their depth and resilience, seemed utterly outmatched, and questions began to arise about whether their reputation had been overstated.

Golden State's stars—Curry, Durant, and Thompson—barely broke a sweat. Each played only around 25 minutes and spent the entire fourth quarter on the bench, cheering on their teammates. The real story of the night, however, was Tang Lei. 

Assigned to a sixth-man role, Tang delivered a performance for the ages. In just 26 minutes, he tallied 31 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals, putting his fingerprints all over the game. It was not only a personal triumph but a historic achievement. Tang set a new franchise record for the most impressive playoff debut in Warriors history and became the youngest player in NBA history to record a 30+5+5 stat line in their playoff debut.

Before this game, Tang had faced criticism from analysts who viewed him as a one-dimensional player—someone reliant on his three-point shot and unwilling to embrace physical play. Data from the regular season showed Tang averaging fewer than two physical confrontations per game, fueling narratives that he was "soft" and unfit for the physical demands of playoff basketball.

Tonight, Tang obliterated those doubts. He displayed not only scoring prowess but also defensive tenacity, court vision, and the ability to rise to the occasion. The critics who had dismissed him as a "regular-season dragon" were left scrambling to revise their opinions.

While the Warriors celebrated, the rest of the league had a tumultuous night. In Denver, the second-seeded Nuggets fell to the seventh-seeded Spurs, losing 101–96 in a shocking upset. The game underscored the genius of Gregg Popovich, whose strategic brilliance enabled the Spurs to steal a critical road win.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference saw two more surprises. The heavily favored Toronto Raptors lost 104–101 to the Orlando Magic in a dramatic finish, and the Philadelphia 76ers faltered against the Brooklyn Nets, losing 111–102. Both home teams entered their series as favorites, but their opening losses cast doubt on their credentials as true title contenders.

Of the four games played that day, only the Warriors managed to uphold expectations and defend their home court. For the Nuggets, Raptors, and 76ers, the criticism came swiftly and harshly. Fans and pundits labeled them pretenders rather than contenders, with their defeats igniting heated debates about their postseason potential.

For the Warriors, however, the night was one to remember. Tang Lei's dazzling debut not only solidified his status as a rising star but also proved that he could shine under the bright lights of the playoffs. As the team celebrated its dominant performance, one thing was clear: Tang Lei wasn't just playing in the postseason—he was rewriting its history.