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Chapter 221: Knicks vs Jazz 2
🕑 Added 2025-07-07 14:25:01 +0000 UTCSecond quarter.
Almost as soon as play resumed, Lin Yi went down hard, clutching his knee in pain after an awkward bump from the Jazz’s young guard, Ronnie Price.
At first, the pain was very real. Lin’s system kicked in and started quietly repairing the damage, but even so, it was clear how bad the knock was. The kind of injury that, without his system, might’ve ended his night.
Lin just stayed down for a bit, catching his breath.
On the Knicks’ sideline, D’Antoni’s face dropped. The whistle blew, and the referees stopped the game as the team doctor sprinted toward Lin.
Pat, standing next to the bench, muttered under his breath, “Man… if Lin’s seriously hurt, we’re cooked.”
Knicks fans watching in the arena and around the world were fearing the worst.
The Knicks’ medical staff checked up on him and decided to head to the locker room for evaluation.
Lin stood up with the doctor’s help, limping off as even the Salt Lake City crowd gave him a warm round of applause. On the big screen, the replay showed his knee buckling awkwardly. The sight made even Jazz fans wince.
Price, for his part, looked genuinely shaken. If Lin were seriously hurt, the backlash from Lin’s huge fan base would be brutal. His conscience also would torment him.
In the commentary booth, Barkley’s voice grew tight. “Lin Yi’s headed back to the locker room now. That didn’t look good…”
Kenny, sitting beside him, sighed heavily. “Terrible timing for an injury. Playoffs just around the corner too…”
Watching from home, NBA commissioner David Stern’s heart sank. After everything—after seeing a new star finally rise in the league—he couldn’t bear the thought of another talent cut down like Grant Hill.
All over the world, his fans started praying for him. To them, no record was worth their hero’s health.
...
In the Knicks’ locker room, the medical staff ran tests, exchanging puzzled glances as they went. Lin’s knee looked… fine.
“Is this even possible?” one of them muttered.
Even so, they advised First Assistant Coach Herb to hold Lin out as a precaution.
But Lin wouldn’t hear of it. “No way. I’m going back.”
One of the doctors frowned. “Lin, it’s just a record. Nothing’s worth risking your knee for.”
Lin smiled faintly. “I promise you—I’m okay. I know my body.”
They didn’t know, of course, that he had something no one else did. Although his system didn't grant him a superhuman physique, it made sure he could recover almost instantly.
He knew the number of NBA careers of stars ended due to injuries, or how many couldn't hit their peak after a gruesome injury.
And so, for making sure he could avoid such fates, he was eternally grateful.
When words failed to convince them, the doctors made him run through a set of functional tests—squats, lunges, lateral cuts. Lin complied, knowing even Yao Ming had to do this to prove he was fit to return.
While he moved, the arena cut the feed to the players’ tunnel. On the big screen, fans could see Lin working through his exercises.
Satisfied, the doctor finally stepped back. “Okay, you check out.”
As Lin laced up again, one of the doctors couldn’t help but ask, “Be honest. Are you just doing this for the stat sheet?”
Lin paused for a moment, then patted the doctor’s shoulder. “No. Of course not.”
He smiled widely. “It’s because basketball is my life.”
Those words came straight from the heart—raw and real.
How many years had he loved this game? He couldn’t even remember anymore. But he still remembered cutting class to sneak into gyms, staying out past dark, shooting jumpers until his fingers were numb.
He was grateful his system could heal him. Grateful it meant he didn’t have to sit out. Because deep down, he never wanted to miss a single game.
It wasn’t about the numbers. It wasn’t just about the cheers.
Because now, those players he’d grown up watching on TV? The ones who’d seemed like untouchable gods? Now he was out there with them, one-on-one.
On this stage. The best stage.
So, step by step, Lin Yi walked back down the tunnel… back into EnergySolutions Arena.
The crowd, having seen his words on the big screen, already knew.
Salt Lake City was known as one of the toughest places to play in the NBA due to the altitude and fans.
But tonight, those same fans rose to their feet.
And they chanted.
“M-V-P! … M-V-P! … M-V-P!”
The players on both sides watched as the tall figure emerged from the tunnel and strode toward the scorer’s table. At that moment, everyone in the building—Knicks and Jazz alike—couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.
Lin Yi was back.
...
Beijing
In the broadcast booth, Yu Jia’s voice cracked with emotion. “Bill Shankly, the legendary Liverpool manager, once said: ‘Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.’ He paused, his eyes glistening. “Why should basketball be any different? For so many of us, it is life. And now… Lin Yi is back!”
Even Zhang couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, eyes wide. “Thank the heavens…”
Millions of fans watching on TV were transported back to that unforgettable moment in last year’s Western Conference playoffs… when another Chinese giant staged his kingly return.
Now, here in Salt Lake City, Lin Yi was writing his chapter.
...
When Lin checked in, high-fiving his teammates and taking his place on the floor, the atmosphere in the arena shifted entirely.
“Lin… are you really okay?” Gallinari asked, eyeing him with concern.
Lin simply smiled, ruffling Gallinari’s hair. “I’m fine. Trust me.”
On the bench, D’Antoni finally let out a long breath. He’d been torn about sending Lin back in, but he knew one thing: if he’d tried to hold him out, Lin would’ve sat down, but the young man would have been sad.
He remembered that sinking feeling when Lin first went down. For a moment, he’d thought the whole season was over.
What Lin didn’t realize was just how much his return had galvanized the team.
The temperament of a team always starts with its leader.
Michael Jordan, Duncan, Shaq, and Kobe had it.
Even Billups during the 2004-05 run with the Pistons to win the Larry O'Brien trophy had it.
Lin glanced at the scoreboard: Knicks trailing 33–37, with 8:11 left in the second quarter.
Time for a run.
On the next possession, Lin blew past Boozer on the perimeter and hammered home a dunk.
At that moment, EnergySolutions Arena felt like it belonged to Lin Yi.
The Knicks began to feed off his energy, turning every Jazz miss into a fast break.
Gallinari drilled a three after a no-look pass from Lin.
Harrington cut backdoor, and Lin lobbed it high for an alley-oop, the kind of bounce Harrington hadn’t shown in years.
Even Lin himself forgot about the triple-double he’d been chasing.
The Knicks simply played to his rhythm, savoring every moment on the floor.
By halftime, the Knicks had stormed back to lead 60–49.
On the other bench, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan watched Lin disappear into the tunnel at halftime, that tall, unyielding figure.
He could only shake his head and sigh.
“The Knicks… they’re something to envy.”
