"Boom!"
After Blake Su drew the three-point foul.
The arena erupted in thunderous cheers, like a landslide crashing down. Just moments earlier, when Curry hit that three-pointer, the Suns fans hadn't been nearly this excited.
Because.
After Curry's three, there were still 8.3 seconds left, the Suns didn't have possession, and they were still trailing by two.
But now things were different.
Blake Su had drawn a three-point foul and earned three free throws.
If he made them, the game would be tied.
The Suns would force overtime and still have a chance to win.
How could they not be excited?
How could they not be thrilled?
The Suns fans were ecstatic.
Meanwhile, the Spurs fans who had already begun celebrating felt dizzy.
They couldn't believe that in less than a minute the situation had changed so drastically.
The Suns actually had a chance to tie and push the game into overtime.
None of them could smile anymore.
One by one, they silently prayed that Blake Su would miss.
Even just one miss would be enough.
...
On the court.
Parker said nothing.
Ginobili looked dazed. He had clearly just turned the game around and had victory in his hands. Yet in the blink of an eye the situation had changed again.
Tim Duncan stared at Blake Su with wide eyes, his heart trembling with self-blame.
From that god-level 3+1 four-point play.
To the pass to Curry under heavy pressure that became a three-pointer.
And now this three-point foul.
Duncan understood something clearly.
In the final minute of the game.
Blake Su alone had carried the Suns' comeback.
"He's just a rookie. How can his decision-making in clutch moments be this strong? And that psychological battle just now… is he really just a rookie?"
Duncan was shaken.
Blake Su's ability had truly surprised him.
But a moment later confidence returned to his face.
After all, the Spurs still led by three.
Even if Blake Su made all three free throws, the score would only be tied.
The game wasn't over yet.
...
At the commentary table.
"Blake Su is incredible!"
Mark Jackson slapped the table in excitement.
"That last three-point foul was the result of a psychological battle. Blake Su won that duel against Tim Duncan."
"Oh?"
Jon Barry blinked, clearly interested.
Mark Jackson continued.
"With 8.1 seconds left and the Suns down three, Blake Su had to shoot a three to tie the game. Duncan only needed to defend the three-point shot.
And in fact.
Blake Su didn't drive. He chose the three.
But it was a pump fake.
That actually isn't a great option. You could even say it's risky.
If Duncan didn't jump, Blake Su would waste time and his shooting rhythm might suffer.
If he shot afterward, Duncan could still contest or block it.
So Duncan believed Blake Su would shoot immediately and rushed to contest.
But that's exactly where the psychological battle happened.
If you think I won't do it, then I'll do it.
Blake Su went against Duncan's expectations, won the mind game, got Duncan into the air, drew the foul, and earned three free throws.
He gave his team a chance to survive."
"Exactly."
Jon Barry nodded with admiration.
"This rookie Blake Su actually won a psychological duel against a superstar like Duncan. That's impressive.
Now.
Whether the Suns lose or go to overtime depends on these three free throws."
...
On the court.
Blake Su stepped to the free throw line.
First free throw.
Swish.
It went in.
The arena erupted.
Right now, Blake Su had to make all three.
Every free throw was crucial.
Every make drew massive cheers from the Suns fans, giving him confidence.
Second free throw.
The Spurs home crowd began booing loudly, trying to disturb him.
But.
Swish.
It went in again.
"Wow!"
"Two made. One more to go. If he hits it, the game is tied. With only 1.2 seconds left the Spurs won't be able to score. It'll go to overtime!
Everything comes down to this last free throw!"
At this moment everyone was tense.
Spurs fans.
Wizards fans.
Everyone was nervous.
Wall and Griffin stared at Blake Su, hoping desperately that he would miss the final shot.
Meanwhile Yoona and Jessica were also watching him closely.
Their faces were flushed with tension as they clenched their fists, silently praying.
Please make it.
"It's up to you, Blake Su!"
"Make it!"
Nearby, Curry and Nash also clenched their fists.
They hoped Blake Su could make this final free throw, tie the game, and send it to overtime.
"Blake Su!"
On the bench, George, Dragić, and the others placed all their hopes on this final shot.
"No way…"
Duncan shook his head slightly.
Even someone as calm as him now hoped Blake Su would miss.
After losing that psychological battle earlier, he didn't want to become the reason the Spurs lost.
He didn't want to be the one responsible.
...
"Huu…"
Blake Su took a deep breath.
The fans were nervous.
But he was nervous too.
His free throw attribute was only 80.
His percentage hovered around 75%.
He had no guarantee he could make all three.
Thud.
Blake Su caught the ball from the referee.
The entire arena focused on him.
He adjusted slightly.
Bent his wrist.
Released the shot.
"Go in!"
"Miss!"
Under countless staring eyes, the basketball spun through the air.
Then.
Clang.
It hit the rim.
The free throw missed.
At the sound of the rim, every Suns fan felt their heart sink.
Their bodies trembled.
Despair rushed in.
"It's over."
"It's done."
"The Suns… lost."
Everyone believed the game was finished.
But.
In the next instant.
A shadow burst toward the basket.
Someone jumped.
Before Duncan, who had position for the rebound, could secure the ball and end the game, that figure grabbed it first.
Who was it?
Blake Su.
Yes.
The moment he released the free throw, he already knew it was off.
He had already prepared to sprint.
The instant the ball touched the rim, he exploded forward like a storm.
Before anyone could react.
He grabbed the rebound in midair.
While colliding with Duncan.
While slightly losing balance.
He hung in the air.
Faded away.
Released the ball.
At that exact moment.
The red light came on.
The 1.2 seconds were over.
No one expected this.
Blake Su missed the free throw.
Grabbed his own rebound.
And launched a desperate shot.
Every heart froze.
Only 1.2 seconds.
Off-balance.
Fadeaway.
The difficulty was absurd.
Would it go in?
Clang.
The ball hit the rim.
Bounced up.
Every fan's heart jumped with it.
Then they saw the ball drop.
In Duncan's stunned disbelief.
In Yoona's anxious gaze.
In Wall's shock.
In Griffin's completely dumbfounded expression.
Under the stunned eyes of the entire arena.
The ball fell cleanly through the net.
It went in.
With 1.2 seconds left.
Down three.
Blake Su made two of three free throws.
Grabbed his own rebound.
Scored two more points.
Four points in total.
In a nearly impossible way.
He completed a crazy buzzer-beating game-winner against the Spurs.
...
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