Chapter 163: Keep Going — Even Asians Can Play Great Basketball
The Phoenix Suns closed out the night with an effortless 116–79 victory.
Eight Suns players scored in double digits, and the locker room buzzed with energy. Chen Yan led all scorers with 43 points, while Michael Redd and Mo Williams managed just 19 and 16 for Milwaukee.
Online, fans didn't hold back:
"If those two count as a backcourt duo, then Chen Yan is a whole army."
It was a nightmare for the Bucks—humiliated on the scoreboard and losing Andrew Bogut to a season-ending tibia fracture.
Just three hours after the MRI confirmed his injury, the league dropped the hammer: five-game suspension, $30,000 fine.
Bogut lay in the hospital, staring at the ceiling in regret—not because of guilt, but because his attempt to injure Chen Yan had backfired so spectacularly.
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December 29 – Suns vs. Warriors, Oracle Arena.
The air inside the arena felt electric, packed with fans wearing Chen Yan jerseys. San Francisco's fans community had turned out in force, waving banners:
"CHEN YAN — OUR PRIDE."
Chen couldn't help but smile as he jogged out for warm-ups. He felt the history behind it. Generations ago, Chinese laborers came to San Francisco chasing dreams during the gold rush. They endured hardship, discrimination, and back-breaking work—yet their legacy remained.
And now, on this hardwood stage, a new generation carried that same spirit.
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From the opening tip, the game was chaos—run-and-gun madness.
Both teams played at full throttle. No defense, no hesitation, just pure adrenaline.
By the end of the first quarter, Phoenix led 35–30, with fans roaring nonstop. It wasn't basketball—it was art in motion.
At halftime, the Suns led 67–63 after a barrage of fast breaks, deep threes, and highlight plays. But Coach D'Antoni wasn't smiling.
He saw what most fans didn't—the Warriors were too comfortable.
During the break, he made a bold adjustment. He benched Stoudemire and Diaw, subbing in Azubuike and Matt Barnes, both former Warriors. Their familiarity with Golden State's system—and their defensive grit—was exactly what the Suns needed.
With Raja Bell joining them, Phoenix suddenly had a three-headed perimeter lockdown unit.
The result was immediate.
The Suns switched to a five-small lineup, matching the Warriors' pace but outsmarting their rhythm. Every screen, every pass, every transition was contested. The Warriors' shots started clanking off the rim one after another.
Phoenix turned defense into offense—running, cutting, and raining threes in transition.
By the fourth quarter, the Suns had broken the game wide open.
Final score: 119–109, Suns win.
Chen Yan once again led the charge, playing 35 minutes and putting up 40 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 9-for-15 from two, 6-for-10 from three, and 4-for-5 from the line.
It was his fourth straight 40+ point game since returning to the lineup—a statement that he was in peak form.
Nash orchestrated the offense like a maestro, finishing with 12 points and 18 assists, setting up open look after open look for Chen.
On the Warriors' side, Monta Ellis and Baron Davis combined for 54 points—most of it coming in the first half before Phoenix's defense smothered them in the second.
That was Golden State in a nutshell: when hot, unstoppable; when cold, catastrophic.
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After the game, Chen walked through the tunnel surrounded by fans waving flags and jerseys.
He stopped every few steps to sign autographs, pose for selfies, and exchange a few words. His smile never left his face.
Despite his growing fame, Chen remained grounded—easy to talk to, genuinely warm.
To the younger fans, he wasn't just a star. He was a symbol.
A living reminder that even an Asian kid—someone who didn't fit the traditional NBA mold—could rise, dominate, and earn respect on the world's biggest basketball stage.
As one fan shouted before he disappeared into the locker room tunnel:
"Keep going, Chen! You make us all proud!"
Chen turned, grinned, and gave a thumbs-up.
"Always," he said.
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