Section 3 saw the Knicks, led by Li Feng, go on a run at the 5:24 mark, establishing an 11-point lead over the Thunder.
The Thunder called for a timeout.
Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka walked off the court, fuming. They couldn't fathom how Li Feng could truly lead the team to victory single-handedly.
However, after the timeout, Li Feng did not return to the court.
Li Feng understood that basketball wasn't a solitary pursuit; he needed to ignite his teammates' potential and provide them with space to perform.
With only one ball on the court, how could others grow if they couldn't touch it?
After Li Feng stepped off, the game's dynamics shifted dramatically. The Thunder, spearheaded by their young stars, quickly closed the gap.
D'Antoni nodded slightly, highly impressed by Li Feng's maturity.
He saw Li Feng as someone with exceptional court vision, completely unlike a rookie.
Many rookies in their first season were solely focused on personal stats.
Few rookies prioritized team performance.
This was because even a top draft pick, whether first, second, or third overall, couldn't drastically improve a team's record.
Over the years, only Duncan had transformed the Spurs into an immediate championship contender.
Li Feng's maturity instilled a spark of ambition in D'Antoni; he felt the Knicks might achieve a miracle.
From competing for the top pick last season to vying for a championship the next!
Li Feng had given D'Antoni immense confidence!
The third quarter concluded with the Thunder taking a 5-point lead, 82:77!
Li Feng hadn't played for the latter half of the third quarter, but he remained engaged, cheering on his teammates with a towel.
A true leader shouldn't be a spectator but should make teammates feel as if they are always in it together!
After Li Feng left the court, Westbrook unleashed his power, scoring 7 points by himself, while Harden added 6. Together, they were unstoppable for the Knicks.
Before the start of the fourth quarter, Li Feng stood with his teammates, listening to the coach's strategy.
He still didn't rush onto the court, as his teammates needed time to adapt.
If Li Feng immediately re-entered the game, it would convey a message that his teammates were inadequate!
As the fourth quarter began, the Knicks' other players found their rhythm, though the Thunder also brought in their reserves.
The Knicks gradually started to chip away at the deficit, with Li Feng constantly cheering them on from the sidelines.
With 6:31 left in the fourth quarter, the Thunder still held a 3-point lead.
At this point, Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka re-entered the game!
Typically, in a summer league game, star players wouldn't play until the very end.
But the Thunder's "Big Three" were fiercely competitive today, determined to win this game.
Seeing the "Big Three" back on the court, Li Feng glanced at the coach.
"Li Feng, you can play for a bit longer then," the coach said, noticing the desire to win in Li Feng's eyes.
"Alright!"
Li Feng re-entered the game!
The crowd erupted in cheers; they had come to see Li Feng.
With just over five minutes remaining, the score was 96:90, with the Thunder leading by six.
The Thunder's "Big Three" were all on the court, their expressions serious, radiating a fierce intensity.
The Knicks had possession. Li Feng dribbled the ball from the backcourt, and Westbrook immediately pressed him, denying Li Feng space to accelerate.
Li Feng felt a touch of urgency. Instead of engaging with Westbrook, he unleashed his "fancy dribbling" combined with the league's fastest first step. Swoosh!
Westbrook's vision blurred; Li Feng was gone. Turning, he saw Li Feng a meter ahead.
This spectacular crossover left the fans awestruck.
After crossing half-court, Li Feng didn't pause. Seizing the moment while the defense was unsettled, he drove towards the paint.
Ibaka rushed to help defend.
This time, he was smarter. He didn't rush to engage in physical contact, instead focusing on Li Feng's rhythm, preparing to block.
But Li Feng gave him no chance. A pump fake sent Ibaka leaping into the air.
Li Feng then easily drove to the basket and, under the extended reach of the opponent's center, executed a layup with a spin for the score!
This sequence of plays left all spectators and media in admiration!
His skills and explosive physical power were top-tier.
Westbrook watched, shaking his head slightly. He had always been supremely confident in his physicality.
But witnessing Li Feng's performance, he felt a sense of inadequacy.
Despite scoring 2 points, the Knicks were still trailing.
Harden initiated the offense. Westbrook guarded Li Feng closely, allowing Harden to control the flow. Harden drove into the paint and fed the center for an easy basket, giving the Thunder another 2 points.
Time ticked by. Despite Li Feng's high scoring efficiency, the Thunder always found a way to respond.
Moreover, the Thunder played cunningly, deliberately avoiding Li Feng's defensive coverage.
Harden and Westbrook alternated their attacks.
Whichever side Li Feng was defending, they would attack the other flank.
The Knicks' coach and teammates were speechless; this felt like an insult.
Was Li Feng truly the only one they could rely on?
With 2:24 left in the fourth quarter, the Thunder still led by five points.
Li Feng was enraged.
He resolved to win this game. As a fellow draftee to Harden and the top pick, losing to Harden would be a blow to his pride.
Personal pride was secondary; more importantly, it would affect his teammates' morale.
On the Knicks' possession, Li Feng faked a pass and then shot, a deep three-pointer that narrowed the deficit to two points.
The Thunder remained unfazed, continuing their strategy of avoiding Li Feng.
Li Feng was at the 45-degree angle on the left, guarding Harden. The ball was passed to the right wing, into Westbrook's hands.
Just as Westbrook prepared to drive to the right baseline, Li Feng suddenly bypassed Harden's obstruction and appeared before Westbrook like a phantom.
Westbrook was taken aback. He was about to pass back to Harden, but the shot clock was winding down.
After receiving the ball, Harden had only four seconds left.
Harden, flustered, faked once and then shot directly, but the ball rimmed out!
Jordan Hill secured the rebound and immediately threw it to Landry.
Landry crossed half-court and passed to Douglas, who executed a powerful dunk for two points!
Tied!
101:101!
With only 1:13 remaining on the clock!
The Thunder's head coach, sensing the shift in momentum, quickly called for a timeout.
This summer league game felt like a Finals series!
Tense and thrilling!
The Thunder's "Big Three" shook their heads in frustration.
They had been leading by five points just moments ago, and in the blink of an eye, the lead had evaporated.
Li Feng high-fived his teammates, offering encouragement. The Knicks understood that forcing a tie against the Thunder was entirely Li Feng's doing.
In both offense and defense, Li Feng had dominated the game!
From the sidelines, Li Feng loudly urged his teammates to focus on defense!
To win the game, offense alone wouldn't suffice; they had to play solid defense.
Furthermore, it couldn't be solely Li Feng's responsibility.
D'Antoni observed Li Feng's every move. He noticed Li Feng's complete immersion, dedicating himself to the team's victory.
Any player who took the summer league this seriously was bound to achieve greatness!
The timeout ended, and the game resumed for the final minute!
On the Thunder's possession, the ball found its way to Westbrook.