Chapter Forty-Seven: First Encounter with the Scoring King

Now, who is the current scoring leader in the league? Once, Lin Fei stood at the summit, but he couldn’t maintain his position. After a long slump, his scoring numbers have lagged behind. The scoring king at present is Durant, already having defended his title and showing every sign of continuing his dominance. This game is undoubtedly the best opportunity for Lin Fei to challenge the reigning king.

In the previous matchup, Lin Fei delivered a stunning 50-point performance, confirming that his explosive start to the season was no fluke but rather a demonstration of genuine strength and limitless potential. With the Thunder visiting, how could the Warriors possibly allow them to leave unscathed?

The "Battle of the Scoring Kings" became a major draw, and the Warriors’ arena was more packed and electrifying than ever. One need only recall how desolate the stands were last year, and contrast it with the scene where Lin Fei exploded for 28 points in 3 minutes—such a difference as night and day.

There was another compelling aspect to this game: the duel between two elite point guards. Among the league’s top floor generals, Westbrook, the Thunder’s second-in-command, is easily in the top five. He’s the quintessential attacking point guard, much like Lin Fei—both are known for their scoring, less for their playmaking. Lin Fei might have a slight edge in scoring, while Westbrook excels in facilitating and is markedly superior in rebounding. Their scoring styles, however, differ greatly: Westbrook favors powerful drives inside, often finishing with thunderous dunks, while Lin Fei prefers launching shots from the perimeter.

During warm-ups, a reporter asked Durant for his opinion on this rising young teammate, and on the scoring title. Durant, wearing his usual gentle smile, replied, “I’m thrilled to see such outstanding new talent in the league. I stopped caring about the scoring title a long time ago. What I want is for the team to win, and my goal this season is the championship ring. Everything else is just noise to me.” Such is the stature of the league’s superstar—Durant.

Then Westbrook was asked, “What do you think of this new threat emerging in the West?” He offered unabashed praise for Lin Fei: “He’s incredible. It’s been years since the league has seen such a phenomenal scorer. But tonight he’s up against me, and I’ll do everything I can to teach him more.”

A reporter turned to Lin Fei: “Do you think Durant is the best player in the league? Do you have the confidence to surpass him on the scoring list?” Lin Fei smiled, lips pressed together. “Right now, I’m like a wolf—hungry for points. I’ll seize every opportunity to score. Of course, I want to be atop the scoring chart again, but I know victory is what matters most. I know how formidable Durant is—I’ve watched him play—he’s unstoppable out there, and there’s just no way to keep him from scoring. I believe in what our coach says: if you can’t stop your opponent from scoring, then just try to outscore them.” That’s Lin Fei for you—a man of nonchalance and confidence.

The game tipped off, and the Thunder struck first. Westbrook assisted as the powerful inside presence, Perkins, spun and hooked in the opening basket. The Warriors answered with a swift fast break—Jobs drove in for a layup to put the Warriors on the board.

Westbrook turned up the pressure. Against Curry’s defense, he called for a high pick and roll, drove to the free-throw line, and before the Warriors could react, he took a giant step towards the hoop, soared, and unleashed a dominant slam—truly a display of raw power. Warriors fans love these moments, just as Spurs fans cherish Duncan’s signature bank shot, Warriors fans marvel at Lin Fei’s deep threes, and LeBron’s fans adore his chalk toss.

Not to be outdone, Cairns—the Warriors’ defensive specialist—showed his offensive prowess. After a pass from Curry at the corner three, he slipped along the baseline, barely staying in bounds, swept past the rim, spun, and, in a frog-like movement, unleashed a leaping, twisting shot—a move that seems graceful but is often executed with sheer force.

It was clear: the Warriors were playing with spirit against the Thunder, who had become an undeniable force in the competitive West. With the Warriors performing so well, eyeing a deep playoff run, the Thunder were sure to be a formidable rival.

Westbrook scored six straight points, but the Warriors’ Cairns, Curry, and Aikes each hit a basket, bringing the score to 8–8. Both teams were shooting 100%—a sign of porous defense but a testament to their determination.

Now, the Thunder’s main man sprang into action. After missing a shot, Durant grabbed the offensive board and put it back in. Then, on a Warriors fast break, he blocked Curry’s shot, and in the ensuing Thunder fast break, Durant hammered in a dunk, igniting his team. His rampage didn’t stop there: assisted by Westbrook, he scored a layup, then drew a foul from Cairns and sank both free throws. Single-handedly, Durant led the Thunder on an 8–0 run, pulling ahead 16–8.

Coach Nelson called timeout. Lin Fei suited up, ready to go in, but curiously, the coach didn’t call his name. Lin Fei was baffled, as was everyone else. He remained on the bench.

After the timeout, the Warriors finally scored—Aikes hit a shot—but the Thunder kept pouring in points. This is the weakness of an offensive-minded team: if you can’t stop the opponent, it’s hard to keep a lead.

With four minutes left in the first quarter, Lin Fei finally checked in. He’s the type who can jump into the fray the moment he steps onto the court.

Matched up against Westbrook—who is stronger and nearly as quick—Lin Fei would find scoring no easy task, but the situation demanded he attack.

Lin Fei brought the ball up. He knew Westbrook’s athleticism and explosiveness were exceptional—if not his equal, then not far off. Lin Fei drove right, accelerating. Westbrook retreated a step, not too far, staying perfectly in sync with Lin Fei.

My God! This kid can keep up with Lin Fei! The Warriors fans were amazed—few in the league could withstand Lin Fei’s signature shake. He threw in a crossover, and Westbrook mirrored him, contesting every inch, refusing to yield even a sliver of space.

The commentator marveled: “Oh my! Westbrook’s defense is lightning fast—I’ve never seen anyone stick to Lin Fei so closely!” But Lin Fei wouldn’t be denied. After a left-side crossover, he spun, dazzling the crowd. Westbrook pressed in closer, giving Lin Fei no room to breathe. Many were impressed by Westbrook’s defensive acumen, but this was exactly what Lin Fei wanted. As Westbrook closed in, Lin Fei had already anticipated it. With a quick sidestep, he gambled that Westbrook couldn’t shift his hips again so fast. Lin Fei slipped past him in a blur—Westbrook could only graze his jersey. Like a Ferrari, Lin Fei zipped to the hoop, the Thunder’s defense evaporating before his speed. At the free-throw line, he lofted a floater—nothing but net! Magnificent!

Experts praised Lin Fei’s extraordinary ability to impact a game instantly.

Once Lin Fei entered, the court was his. Not even the presence of Durant and Westbrook could change that.

With Lin Fei on the floor, the Warriors’ tempo quickened, while the Thunder’s defensive scheme remained unchanged. In the showdown with Westbrook, Lin Fei seized the upper hand. Even as Westbrook found his teammates with assists, he was helpless against Lin Fei’s speed, crafty drives, and lethal three-point shooting.

Few can break down Westbrook with sheer speed and skill, and with no answer for Lin Fei, the Thunder had to reveal their trump card—Durant.

The coach reset the strategy, making Durant the focal point of the offense. This was a severe test for Aikes and Jobs, who would have to take turns guarding him. Nelson has always admired such prodigious talent, so Durant would likely receive “special attention.”

The Warriors switched to full-court press—a draining defensive tactic that would only add to their already high-energy style.

Westbrook broke down the defense and kicked it to Durant. Facing Aikes, Durant made a move, Aikes retreated, and Durant rose up for a three—pure. That silky touch, that quick, high release—only peak Tracy McGrady could match Durant in these aspects.

Durant’s elegant scoring ignited Lin Fei, who quickly brought the ball up. The Thunder’s defense was already set as Lin Fei crossed the three-point line—they had switched to help defense, with Westbrook still glued to him. Lin Fei angled his body, slipped past Westbrook—almost contorting himself—then spun again, slithering through the crowd like an eel. Was this the legendary “Silver Snake Step”?

In the face of a wall of defenders, Lin Fei threaded his way to the basket. At his height, scoring inside is no easy feat, but he circled the rim, feigned an exit, then spun back for a jump shot—Perkins, outstretched, could only watch helplessly as the ball dropped in.

Such unrestrained passion—hard to believe he was a substitute, or that he’d only been in the league two years.

But the Thunder were not to be trifled with. On their possession, Durant cut through for another powerful dunk—his blend of finesse and force showing why he “radiates dominance.”

“This is my territory,” Lin Fei told himself. After Durant’s basket, Lin Fei pushed the ball up himself, not waiting for teammates. The court, before him, seemed like an open plain. Past half-court, nearing the three-point line, only Durant stood between him and the hoop—a direct duel. Lin Fei paused at the arc, faked a three, then drove inside. Durant stuck with him. Two steps from the basket, Lin Fei leapt, palming the ball with one hand, poised for a fierce attack. Durant sprang up too, head nearly level with the rim, giant hands reaching for the block. Sensing danger, Lin Fei pulled the ball back, turned his back to the basket, and tossed it up for a prayer—fortune favored him, the ball dropped in.

Durant, too, went berserk, launching an all-out scoring duel with Lin Fei. Cairns and Aikes’ defense proved futile; both racked up four fouls each, while Durant drew 14 free throws in the first three quarters—a sign of his omnipotence. This was actually the coach’s new tactic: the free throws were a ruse; the true aim was to slow the Warriors’ pace and blunt their attack. The commentators recognized the Thunder coach’s shrewdness and praised the move.

Despite this, Lin Fei always found ways to score. In this game, he intensified his drives—perhaps out of necessity, as the Thunder’s deliberate pace and double teams limited his catch-and-shoot threes. He had to get physical.

Though best in the open court, Lin Fei was unafraid of a hard-fought battle. Using his speed, he repeatedly drove and dished, quickening the tempo and racking up assists. With Lin Fei orchestrating, the Warriors pulled even. With two minutes left, the score was tied—the game white-hot. Both teams were in the penalty. The Thunder went back to Durant, who now had 35 points. He took the ball high, called for a screen, and exploded into the paint. Cairns, sitting on five fouls, didn’t hesitate to challenge him. As Durant neared the rim, fingers brushing the net, Cairns delivered a hard foul, swatting the ball away but fouling out—he would not let an easy basket through.

Durant sank both free throws. The Warriors attacked. With Cairns out, Curry brought the ball up, while Lin Fei slipped to the baseline—a move the Thunder did not anticipate, as Lin Fei typically roamed the perimeter. Curry, quick-eyed, bounced it to Lin Fei, who rose up and nailed a three, keeping his hot hand alive and tallying his 35th point.

Ninety-five seconds remained, the score 110–111. Warriors led by one.

Aikes now guarded Durant, who attacked relentlessly. Aikes bodied up, a foul was called, and Durant made the basket plus the free throw—Aikes now on five fouls as well.

The Warriors, with Curry controlling the offense, found Lin Fei tightly shadowed. Westbrook stuck to him, with help lurking nearby—leaving Lin Fei no chance to receive. Undeterred, Lin Fei cut to Curry, took the ball, and ran a cross-action with him. The defense, confused, realized too late—Lin Fei fired, another three! The crowd erupted, a flashback to his 28 points in 3 minutes. Fans stood, craning their necks, waiting for another miracle.

The Warriors held the psychological advantage.

Westbrook answered, driving in for a layup with Durant’s help. The Warriors trailed by one.

The Warriors hustled, the Thunder focusing so much on Lin Fei that they overlooked others. Jobs, the team’s elder statesman, calmly hit a shot to put the Warriors back in front.

Once again, Durant responded—stepping just inside the arc, he drilled a difficult, fadeaway jumper, earning the crowd’s awe.

The arena fell silent; the Warriors had one final possession. Six seconds—more than enough for them. Nelson called timeout; all eyes turned to Lin Fei. At this moment, thinking of Lin Fei had become a reflex.

Nelson’s play: Curry and Aikes set screens for Lin Fei’s drive. The play was drawn up for Lin Fei.

Lin Fei brought the ball up. With Aikes and Curry screening, he advanced to the frontcourt. Five, four, three, two, one—the clock ticked down. With 0.3 seconds left, Lin Fei, standing between half-court and the three-point line, rose for the shot. Within ten feet, three Thunder players were ready, all focused on Lin Fei. And yet, he released the ball.

The shot’s arc was flat and true, just like every one of Lin Fei’s usual shots.

Durant and Westbrook watched, praying for mercy from above. But the ball fell through. Everyone but the Warriors was silent; the Thunder fans were devastated. They knew the Thunder had given everything, but on this night, the Warriors had birthed a man touched by the divine—their own stars had fought to the last, and they could have no regrets.

Another game-winner! Another breathtaking, buzzer-beating masterpiece—a work of the gods.

Durant finished with 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists; Lin Fei had 41 points and 8 assists, just missing his first double-double. The two were evenly matched.

For the first time, such brilliance!