Suns bench.
Alvin Gentry gathered everyone in, his eyes sweeping over the young talents—Blake Su, Curry, George. His voice was low and steady.
"Stay calm. Don't panic.
There's still 1 minute and 2 seconds left. The outcome is far from decided.
Keep your composure and play it step by step. Blake Su has been outstanding. Curry's Suns debut tonight has been flawless. All you need to do now is keep that momentum going.
Hold on for one more minute.
And everyone—maintain this intensity and hunger to compete. Victory is right there within reach."
"Mm."
The two exchanged a glance and gave a small nod. The rest of the team nodded firmly as well, faces tense and focused. No one took this final minute lightly.
Logically, they shouldn't have been this nervous.
After all, the season opener had already been an epic performance—a 17-point comeback capped by a buzzer-beater. And now, with the score tied and possession in their hands, they were in control.
Back then, the Suns had been 2–8, practically at the bottom of the league. Even a loss wouldn't have mattered much. There was no pressure.
But now it was different.
Blake Su's brilliance, combined with the Suns' dazzling six-game winning streak, had drawn enormous attention from fans. Tonight—
A win would push them even higher.
A loss might… send everything crashing down.
There was no question which outcome the Suns wanted.
The Thunder felt the same. Fresh off a buzzer-beater comeback against the Eastern Conference powerhouse Magic, if they could take down the red-hot Suns and snap their six-game streak, their momentum would explode. They'd instantly become the biggest dark horse of the season.
They wanted this win just as badly.
With 1:02 left and the score tied, both teams braced for the final battle.
"Beep!"
Timeout over.
Suns ball.
Steve Nash inbounded from near midcourt. Blake Su curled out to receive it. The moment he caught the ball, Durant stuck to him like glue, determined not to give him a clean drive or shot.
Thump! Thump!
Blake Su's butterfly-like dribble disrupted Durant's defensive rhythm. He suddenly burst forward, accelerating hard, ready to shake free—
Step!
Russell Westbrook darted over on help defense, cutting him off. Durant immediately recovered, and Jeff Green rotated in as well.
A triple team.
They were suffocating Blake Su.
Even with Iverson's Talent, there was little he could do against three defenders. His eyes flicked across the court—he swung the ball to Curry on the weak side.
The ball moved again to Carter in the left corner. Carter was about to rise—
But Westbrook, blazing fast, flew out from the perimeter to contest.
Back to Curry—Harden closed in immediately.
"The Thunder defense is airtight! The Suns can't find a clean look! Only 5.4 seconds left on the shot clock—what do they do? How do they finish this possession?!
Curry swings it again—right wing, top of the arc—Blake Su catches it! No time left!
Blake Su for three—
That's Blake Su's first three-pointer of the season.
At a moment like this—does it go?
No. It rattles out. The ball hits iron. Ibaka and Frye fight for the rebound—Durant rises and secures it midair.
Thunder ball."
Inside the broadcast booth, Mike Breen tracked the sequence quickly as the possession ended.
"That was well defended. Phoenix didn't get a clean look."
Jeff Van Gundy nodded.
"Excellent rotation by Oklahoma City. They forced a tough shot."
On the court.
41.7 seconds left. Thunder possession.
Durant brought the ball up calmly. For the Thunder, time was on their side. They could use the full 24 seconds and get the shot they wanted.
One basket could decide the game.
Thump, thump, thump.
Durant handled it at the top, then swung it to Westbrook cutting on the left wing. Westbrook attacked hard, facing Blake Su, accelerating toward the paint—
But just as he reached the lane and looked ready to finish, he kicked it out to Harden in the left corner.
The ball swung again to Jeff Green at the high post. Green caught it and lifted the ball—three?
No.
A pump fake, another swing.
After the ball zipped around the perimeter, it found its way back to Durant.
It was always going to come down to him.
Facing Carter, Durant jab-stepped, then created space—
He rose for a three.
Carter leaped with everything he had. No block—but solid contest.
Still—
Durant's release was steady. Pure.
Swish.
Nothing but net.
"Durant connects on the three. Oklahoma City takes the lead."
Jeff Van Gundy added evenly,
"That's what he does. In late-game situations, he's comfortable taking that shot."
On the floor, Thunder fans erupted. Suns fans looked stunned.
19.4 seconds left.
"Down three, the Suns have one possession left—either hit a three, or go quick for two and play the foul game.
Nash takes the inbound and pushes the pace, quickly finding Blake Su in the frontcourt.
Blake Su isn't known for his three-point shooting—this could be a quick two and foul situation. He catches it, accelerates—Durant right there with him.
Sudden stop at the top of the arc—three?
He's trying to draw a three-point foul on Durant.
Durant goes up—Blake Su leans in—but Durant avoids the contact.
No whistle.
Blake Su still fires the three—the release is off—
It misses. Hits the rim and comes out.
Blake Su secures his own rebound.
Kicks it back out to the perimeter—Curry has it.
Curry rises—three-pointer on the way.
It hits the rim—bounces up—
And drops through."
Mike Breen's call rose slightly with the moment.
"Curry knocks it down. We're tied."
Jeff Van Gundy leaned forward.
"Big offensive rebound by Blake Su. That second effort made the difference."
"The Suns tie it again."
Mike Breen continued, steady and measured.
"That's 51 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 blocks tonight for Blake Su. A 50-plus performance with an impact across the board."
Jeff Van Gundy nodded.
"He's delivered on both ends of the floor."
Mike Breen concluded as the arena noise built.
"8.7 seconds remaining. The Thunder have one final possession.
We'll see who takes the last shot."
...
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