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...
Halftime.
In the locker room, Lin Yi underwent another round of checks from the Knicks' medical staff.
"Thank God," the lead doctor finally said with a relieved smile. "Looks good."
The whole team breathed a collective sigh of relief.
At least, until Gallinari decided to ruin the warm atmosphere.
"See?" he quipped, grinning smugly. "Lin's single-handedly carrying this team and the dreams of fans. And when you're carrying that much by yourself, how could you expect the Show itself getting hurt?"
Louis Williams groaned, shaking his head as he gave Gallinari a double thumbs-down.
Even Danny Green piped up, half-joking: "Man… maybe now I'll actually get a chance to play…"
Lin Yi just gave Gallinari a knowing smile. He didn't say much—he didn't have to.
Lin quietly pulled Gallinari aside for a private chat. When the two returned a few minutes later, the handsome Italian's expression was slightly grave.
...
Second half.
In the third quarter, the Jazz came out more aggressive on defense, but the Knicks refused to let up. With Lin Yi orchestrating everything, they kept the lead hovering around 10 points.
The Jazz, not exactly known for their outside shooting, struggled to close the gap. As long as the Knicks didn't make careless mistakes, the game stayed under control.
Then, midway through the quarter, Lin rose and drilled a silky midrange jumper.
The arena erupted.
"M-V-P! … M-V-P! … M-V-P!"
Jazz fans at EnergySolutions Arena were on their feet, fully won over.
The ultimate betrayal of a fanbase.
Because tonight, they'd witnessed history.
10 points. 12 rebounds. 13 assists.
Nine straight triple-doubles.
Lin Yi had tied the legendary Wilt Chamberlain's 42-year-old record.
D'Antoni immediately called a timeout, letting the moment—and the roar of the crowd—wash over his star.
Even the Jazz players clapped, acknowledging just how rare and remarkable the feat was.
Yu Jia's voice trembled with emotion on the broadcast. "Who would've thought, after 42 years, it would be a center from Asia who ties Wilt Chamberlain's triple-double streak?"
Zhang nodded beside him. "If you weren't here to see it, you'd think it was just a dream…"
The internet, no doubt, was already exploding with the news.
This whole season had been pure madness.
...
Fourth quarter.
Lin kept pouring it on, scoring bucket after bucket to the delight of the crowd.
With six minutes left, after the Jazz finally pulled their starters, D'Antoni signaled for Lin to sit as well.
Lin walked off the floor, breathing heavily, completely spent.
D'Antoni met him at the bench, a strange mix of pride and concern in his eyes.
If nine straight triple-doubles were easy, someone else would've done it in the last four decades.
Records like this weren't just about stat-padding—you needed the skill, the poise, the stamina to even be in a position to chase them.
"Good job," D'Antoni said quietly, giving Lin a firm pat on the back like a father to a son.
He meant it.
And as he watched Lin sit down, D'Antoni couldn't help but think back to that phone call from Donnie Walsh last summer.
Back when he first heard the Knicks might land Lin Yi, D'Antoni had felt, for the first time in years, like there was a little light at the end of the tunnel.
He'd told Donnie more than once: I don't like gimmicks. Don't waste my time.
And every time, Donnie would just chuckle and say: Trust me, Mike. I got you an All-Star.
But now?
Now the word All-Star didn't even feel big enough.
Watching Lin Yi play, D'Antoni realized New York had struck gold.
When Lin dropped 61 points in just three quarters earlier this season, he'd known then: if Lin Yi could keep growing, this Knicks team would one day compete for a championship.
When Lin Yi took down the Lakers at Staples, beating them at their own game and outshining Kobe Bryant on his home floor, D'Antoni was convinced: give this kid enough time, and he'd surpass even the greatest to ever play.
Then came the Dunk Contest title, winning over countless new fans.
Then, the All-Star Game, when the deafening cheers from the Dallas crowd left an unforgettable impression.
Everyone assumed those moments would be the high points of Lin Yi's rookie season.
But no one could've imagined he'd close it out with something even more outrageous:
Nine straight triple-doubles.
...
In the TNT studio, Charles Barkley shook his head and laughed. "Kenny, I'm telling you right now—let's make a bet. I say Lin's gonna break this record and set one of his own next game. Book it!"
Kenny Smith grinned and shook his head. "Nah, Charles. No bet. Because this time? I agree with you. The kid's special."
...
The Knicks finished off the Jazz on the road, 109–94.
After the game, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was gracious in defeat.
Speaking to reporters, the gray-haired veteran coach admitted he was impressed. "I don't know if the Knicks can win it all this year," Sloan said. "But one thing's for sure—the future of that team? It's frightening."
On the court, Lin was immediately swarmed by reporters. The first question, of course, was about his second-quarter injury scare.
Lin smiled, shaking his head. "It was just a freak play. Price is a good guy—I know he didn't mean it. Stuff like that happens all the time out here."
Price himself had sought Lin out after the final buzzer to apologize, and Lin had reassured him there were no hard feelings.
Then came the inevitable question.
"Lin," one reporter began, "you've tied Wilt Chamberlain's record of nine consecutive triple-doubles. Next game you're in Portland—are you confident you can break it?"
Lin smirked. "Well… if it were up to me, I'd have a triple-double in all 82 games."
The reporters erupted in laughter, already drafting their headlines.
Lin added with a shrug, "Hey—dreaming's still free, right?"
At the tail end of the scrum, one American journalist with a sharp memory spoke up:
"Lin, back in college, you once said your goal was to 'be legendary, and then surpass legendary.' Do you think you can surpass Wilt?"
Lin didn't miss a beat. "That is the goal."
...
On the team flight to Oakland that night, Lin finally let himself relax.
Tying the record was one thing, but he knew it was just that a tie. And deep down, he reminded himself to keep his perspective.
After all, if they'd tracked blocks and steals in Wilt's day, the Big Dipper might've strung together nine straight quadruple-doubles.
Lin smiled to himself. He wasn't trying to be Wilt.
Truthfully, he thought Jordan's streak of 11 straight games with at least 10 assists and 10 rebounds might've been harder than what he'd done.
These legends aren't something you just surpass overnight, Lin thought. It takes time. Step by step. Brick by brick.
Summer was coming.
Time to level up.
And one more thing lingered in his mind as he stared out the window, a faint smile curling at his lips:
He couldn't wait to see Stephen Curry again.
...
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