Chapter 204: A Rare Downturn—Will It End the Rockets' 22-Game Winning Streak?
The morning after the All-Star celebration, Chen Yan boarded the earliest flight back to Phoenix. The brief break was over, and the NBA was now entering its final, brutal stretch of the regular season.
The Western Conference standings were a complete battlefield. The top six teams were separated by only three and a half games—meaning one bad week could send a team tumbling from first place to sixth.
No one dared to relax.
It was exactly why Kobe Bryant kept playing through his finger injury—because in the West, even one night off could cost you home-court advantage.
February 20 — Suns vs. Kings, America West Arena
Phoenix's first game after the All-Star break was a sellout. Fans packed the arena, eager to watch the newly crowned All-Star MVP put on a show. The atmosphere was electric. Everyone expected fireworks from Chen Yan.
Instead, what they got was a rare off night.
After a few days of celebration—and one particularly exhausting night with Taylor Swift—Chen's legs weren't exactly in prime condition. Two of his dunks rimmed out completely, and his usually sharp explosiveness looked dulled.
Taylor wasn't faring any better. According to Chen's mischievous thoughts later, she could barely move all day.
Chen finished with 17 points on 7-for-18 shooting, along with 4 rebounds. Not terrible, but well below his usual standards.
Surprisingly, he wasn't the worst Sun on the floor.
Amar'e Stoudemire looked even more drained, shooting 4-for-14 from the field and 2-for-6 from the line. Later that night, rumors surfaced that Stoudemire had hosted a "triple-team party" at his hotel after the All-Star festivities.
When fans read that report, social media exploded with jokes: "One versus three? What a guy"
With both Chen and Stoudemire off their game, Phoenix didn't stand a chance. The Kings took full advantage, winning 103–93.
To make matters worse, veteran forward Grant Hill sprained his ankle while scrambling for a loose ball against Ron Artest. Suns fans collectively groaned—it was the last thing they needed.
Thankfully, team doctors later confirmed it was only a mild sprain, projecting a return in early April. Hill had been averaging 11.3 points per game and was a stabilizing force for the second unit, both as a scorer and leader. Losing him temporarily was a setback, but not a disaster.
February 21 — Suns vs. Grizzlies
The Suns had no time to rest, hosting Memphis on the second night of a back-to-back.
This time, Chen Yan came out locked in. Whatever fog he'd been in two nights ago was gone. After falling behind by five in the first half, Phoenix erupted in the third quarter, going on a 13–2 run led entirely by Chen.
He scored 24 of his 35 points in the second half, lifting the Suns to a 109–97 win.
It was a statement game—a reminder that the All-Star MVP was still very much in rhythm.
February 23 — Suns vs. 76ers
Next stop, Philadelphia.
The Suns dominated from start to finish, winning 121–97 in a wire-to-wire blowout. The Big Three of Chen Yan, Steve Nash, and Stoudemire combined for 71 points. Chen contributed 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
The bench also came alive: Azubuike and Barea chipped in 15 points each, while Matt Barnes added 10 points and 7 rebounds.
The 76ers' young roster simply couldn't keep up with Phoenix's tempo, getting outscored in every quarter.
The Suns were officially back in rhythm.
February 25 — Suns vs. Warriors
Two of the league's fastest teams clashed in a high-octane shootout that thrilled fans on both sides. Neither team played much defense, and the pace was pure chaos—the kind of basketball that made highlight reels explode.
Chen Yan was sensational, scoring 36 points on 14-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-7 from three. His shot felt automatic, every pull-up a dagger.
Stoudemire added a powerful double-double with 25 points and 15 rebounds, while Nash orchestrated the offense with 17 assists—his trademark precision on full display.
For Golden State, Baron Davis and Monta Ellis each scored over 20, throwing down dunks and making flashy plays of their own. But their lack of defensive effort and leadership sealed their fate.
Final score: Suns 124, Warriors 116.
Three straight wins.
Momentum had returned.
Now, the real test awaited.
February 28 — Suns vs. Rockets
The next matchup was the one fans in both China and the U.S. had circled on their calendars—the second "Chinese Derby" of the season, featuring Chen Yan versus Yao Ming.
The Rockets entered the game riding a 12-game winning streak, playing their best basketball of the year. Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming had finally found their rhythm, and the team's defense looked impenetrable.
Houston fans were daring to dream—maybe this was the year. Maybe the Rockets could contend for the championship again.
Chen Yan, however, knew exactly what this period meant. In NBA history, this was around the time the Rockets went on their legendary 22-game winning streak.
He couldn't let that happen again.
Sitting in the locker room before the game, tying his AeroWing sneakers, Chen took a deep breath. His eyes narrowed with focus.
He wasn't about to let himself—or his team—become a footnote in the Rockets' history.
Not this time.
The mission was simple: End the streak before it begins.
<><><><><>
[Check Out My Patreon For +40 Advance Chapters On All My Fanfics!]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03]
[Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter]
[Join Our Discord Community For Updates & Events]
[https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9]