Opening Scene – Three Days After the Ant GameKyle Wilson sat on a padded treatment table in the Celtics' Vegas hotel suite. Ice wrapped around his left ankle, sweat still drying on his forehead. His knee was sore. His back ached.
He wasn't injured.
Not yet.
But the body was barking.
"How's it feel?" asked the team's physical therapist.
Kyle rotated his ankle slowly, wincing.
"Tight. Pressure right above the heel."
The therapist nodded.
"Classic stress signs. You're running hot. We need to scale you back."
"No."
"Kyle—"
"I said no."
He stood up, walked over to the window. Looked out at the Vegas skyline.
"I didn't get here by resting."
Coach Vaughn's WarningLater that evening, Coach Vaughn pulled Kyle aside after the team meeting.
"You're putting too much weight on your frame, kid."
"I'm 6'8, 230. I can carry it."
"That ain't what I meant."
He tapped Kyle's chest.
