Facing Destiny.

During the first quarter, Han Sen and Durant went head-to-head, with Durant scoring 15 and Han Sen right behind him with 14.

It was a spectacle of both players showcasing their scoring prowess, leaving the Oklahoma City crowd in awe.

Durant, having secured the scoring title once again this season, had cemented his place among the top five players in the league.

But for Han Sen to keep pace like this? It was unexpected.

When Han Sen got subbed out for a break, he sat on the bench, catching his breath.

The intensity of tonight's game was the highest of the series. With Randolph restricted from getting the ball, Han Sen had to take on more offensive responsibility, increasing his fatigue.

In just those two minutes while Han Sen rested, the game shifted.

Memphis' bench wasn't particularly strong, while OKC had Harden, who consistently bridged the gap with his offensive spark.

By the end of the first quarter, OKC led 30-24.

In a 48-minute game, every moment counts.

This is also why Miami fell short of expectations this season—their big three struggled to create advantages from the start, leading to frequent deficits.

The only solution? Extend the minutes of the big three.

After a short two-minute rest, Han Sen was back in at the start of the second quarter alongside Marc Gasol.

Gasol had been performing well this series, particularly since Haddadi and Crawford weren't much help at this level of competition.

Right off the bat, Han Sen drove to the basket on a feed from Gasol. Harden didn't force it on the next play, instead opting to facilitate.

Westbrook's attempt to drive was blocked by Gasol. Although overshadowed by Randolph, Gasol's role on the team was also indispensable.

Back on offense, Han Sen returned the favor with an assist to Gasol, keeping the Grizzlies steady.

When the starters came back in, the game was tied again.

Randolph got into a rhythm down low, scoring consistently, and Westbrook responded with a steal and a ferocious dunk, igniting the home crowd.

By halftime, the score was tied at 58.

The intensity felt more like an NBA Finals game than a Conference Finals one.

Han Sen scored 22 points in the first half—a career playoff high—but at the cost of significant energy expenditure.

During the halftime break, he was completely drained.

When the second half began, Han Sen and Durant both shifted their strategies to play more as decoys, aware that high-intensity isolation plays would only lead to exhaustion down the stretch.

The third quarter became a battle between Randolph and Westbrook. Randolph had the upper hand, but when Brooks put Harden back in, the momentum shifted again.

The camera panned to Rudy Gay, suited up on the sidelines. His absence was felt even more in this tightly contested game.

By the end of the third, OKC was up 82-75.

After another brief two-minute rest, Han Sen was back on the floor to start the fourth quarter.

The Grizzlies began closing the gap, but it came at the cost of Han Sen's energy. He couldn't afford to sit this quarter out.

With seven minutes left, the game was tied at 86.

A well-rested Durant returned and immediately drained a contested three and drew a foul on a drive, putting OKC up 93-88 with five minutes remaining.

Han Sen was drenched in sweat, and Coach Hollins called a long timeout on Joerger's advice.

Han Sen, sitting on the bench, wiped his face with a towel and took a swig of water offered by Haddadi.

After a deep breath, he glanced up at the scoreboard. He had prepared himself mentally for the intensity of this game better than anyone else on the team.

Yet, no amount of preparation could fully brace him for this harsh reality.

OKC was the mountain standing in front of him, and Durant was the more gifted opponent. With Gay out and Hollins being stubborn, this felt like destiny.

Nobody would blame him. He had already done all he could. Who would criticize a second-year player for holding his own against a top-five player in the league?

Han Sen's eyes gradually hardened. "There's no such thing as a noble defeat," he thought.

In sports, victory is the only glory.

If this is his destiny, he would face it head-on.

He handed the water bottle back to Haddadi and stood up. Despite the timeout not fully restoring his energy, his fighting spirit was unshaken.

The game resumed, entering its final, decisive phase.

Han Sen received the ball, shook off Harden, and pulled up for a mid-range shot over Ibaka.

Ibaka had been beaten by Han Sen before, so this time he opted to just contest the shot visually. 

Swish! 

Han Sen nailed it over the contest, and the crowd stirred. After just one timeout, he was back!

However, Durant answered with a turnaround jumper over Tony Allen—demonstrating why he was a top-five player.

Even Allen couldn't stop him when he was fully rested.

"Defense! Defense!" chanted the OKC fans, their energy swelling like a tidal wave. Han Sen's gaze remained unwavering. 

"A sand dune is what crumbles easily, not a mountain," he thought. 

Brooks directed the Thunder to start denying Han Sen the ball.

Conley couldn't find an opening to pass, so he dumped it down to Randolph, who struggled against the double team and missed under Ibaka's flying contest.

As Ibaka turned to grab the rebound, Han Sen soared in from the weak side for a thunderous putback slam. The crowd was stunned.

The camera zoomed in on Han Sen, who stumbled slightly upon landing, clearly showing signs of fatigue.

But in the next moment, he performed his signature celebration, shaking his jersey No. 77.

It sent chills down everyone's spine. This version of Han Sen was terrifying—a presence beyond just skill.

The Grizzlies felt it too. On the next defensive possession, Durant spun towards the basket, but Gasol's help defense blocked his path, and Allen timed his steal perfectly.

Memphis pushed the pace, with Han Sen and Conley leading a fast break.

With Westbrook draped over him, Han Sen dished it to Conley, who finished with a two-handed slam. The crowd was speechless; since when did Conley dunk like this?

Clearly, Han Sen's aura was lifting everyone.

Memphis was trailing 94-95, but momentum had swung in their favor.

Westbrook tried to drive to regain control but fumbled the ball under Gasol's pressure. The arena was buzzing with anticipation. Memphis had a chance to take the lead.

But this was OKC's home court. The fans rallied again, roaring in unison.

Han Sen was still being denied the ball, and Randolph was pushed out of the paint by Perkins.

Conley and Gasol executed a pick-and-roll, but Westbrook's quick help defense forced Gasol to hold the ball high.

He saw Han Sen slipping free from Harden and cut to the basket. Gasol threaded the pass, and Han Sen took off.

Ibaka didn't jump, instead opting to close in with his arms raised.

Han Sen's counter? A difficult, floating shot like Antawn Jamison's signature move.

Ibaka turned mid-air to contest, but Han Sen's drifting release kept the ball just out of reach. The ball sailed in a gentle arc…

Swish!

Memphis had taken the lead 96-95.

Han Sen fell to the floor after the shot. The crowd was in awe; he seemed capable of anything.

Swift, in the stands, covered her mouth with her hand in disbelief. What makes a man most attractive? Achieving the impossible.

In this moment, Han Sen was like her on stage, radiating brilliance.

Randolph and Conley quickly helped Han Sen to his feet.

Randolph laughed and ruffled his hair. Han Sen once called me 'The Big Diesel,' but right now, he's more like Kobe.

With the lead now in their favor, the pressure was on OKC.

Durant came off a screen, faked his defender, and drained a step-back jumper, retaking the lead for OKC.

As Durant roared toward Han Sen, he seemed to be saying, "You couldn't beat me in practice, and you won't beat me now!"

Randolph drew a foul and nailed both free throws, putting Memphis up 98-97 with two and a half minutes left.

"This is the most exciting playoff game of the year!" Barkley exclaimed. As if on cue, the camera zoomed in to show Han Sen switching onto Durant.

They had been dueling all night, but now they were directly facing off.

Han Sen couldn't help but jab, "I've got a spare fishing rod at home."

Durant looked puzzled.

"I could lend it to you this summer for fishing."

Durant's expression turned to rage.

He aggressively posted up Han Sen, spinning and yelling, "You can't guard me!"

He drove right, but as soon as the ball hit the floor, Han Sen swiped at it. Though he couldn't steal it, the deflection disrupted Durant's rhythm.

Durant recovered but was forced into a tough turnaround fadeaway under Han Sen's tight defense. The shot clanked off the rim.

Han Sen couldn't guard Durant during summer workouts, but he was a fast learner.

Training with Allen had taught him that disrupting Durant's rhythm was more effective than just contesting his shot.

Memphis transitioned quickly with Han Sen leading the charge. He caught a long outlet pass from Gasol and sprinted full court.

Seeing Westbrook closing in, he slowed and took three long steps to finish with a soft layup.

100-97!

With two minutes left in the game, the Grizzlies led the Thunder by three points. OKC called a timeout.

"Kevin, don't listen to what that guy's saying. He's just trying to mess with your rhythm!" Brooks shouted into Durant's ear during the break.

Brooks knew exactly what kind of player Han Sen was, ever since his days with the Cavaliers.

And Brooks' words hit home. For the young Thunder squad, having a coach like Brooks was more like having a guardian, in the best sense of the word.

After the timeout, Durant caught the ball beyond the arc and fired without hesitation, the shot hitting its mark.

This gave Durant 42 points for the night, setting a new career-high for him in the playoffs.

The Ford Center erupted.

100-100! The two teams were back to square one.

On the next possession, Han Sen's shot missed, and Randolph's put-back attempt was disrupted, with Perkins securing a critical rebound.

"OKC! OKC!"

The crowd burst into deafening chants of support.

Durant faced off with Han Sen at the other end, and this time, he initiated the trash talk. "Your trash talk doesn't work on me anymore, so save your breath."

Han Sen, slightly taken aback, still grinned and replied, "Taylor knows a lot of celebrities. If you ever need it, I could have her get you some of Scarlett's bathwater."