Date: June 24, 2021
Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix
Event: NBA Finals Game 5 – Series tied 2–2
12:33 PM – Practice Facility, Boston Celtics Film RoomThe room was dark except for the projector humming. On screen: Devin Booker's dagger from Game 4, looped on repeat. Shot after shot.
Kyle sat at the head of the table, ankle still taped under compression gear, his notebook open and pen clicking against his palm. He hadn't slept more than three hours in two days.
Coach Udoka stepped up, arms folded.
"We're flying into a lion's mouth. You ready for that?"
Kyle's jaw flexed.
"No… I'm ready to rip its teeth out."
4:18 PM – Celtics Plane, En Route to PhoenixKyle stared out the window, headphones in, listening to an old voicemail from his father.
"KJ… if the world don't give you space, take it. Every floor you step on—own it. Not just as a baller… as a man."
He turned the volume down and gazed toward Ari, fast asleep across the aisle, her hand resting on her baby bump.
