"Beep!"
The Thunder called a timeout.
Just as the commentators had anticipated, with 8.7 seconds remaining, the Thunder had enough time for one final shot. If they scored, it would end the game.
Even if they missed,
it could still go to overtime.
Either way, they wouldn't lose. On the Thunder bench, the players listened to the coach's instructions with relaxed expressions. That calm mindset might actually help them execute better on the final possession.
In the stands,
Suns fans weren't in total despair either. After all… being tied felt far better than trailing by three.
8.7 seconds.
Just get one stop.
On the Suns bench,
Blake Su's assist to Curry for that game-tying three had just reignited the team's energy. The players were brimming with confidence—they believed they could shut down this final Thunder possession.
Force overtime.
"Beep—beep!"
Timeout over.
The final 8.7 seconds—the decisive moment—had arrived.
Russell Westbrook inbounded from the sideline near midcourt. Curry shadowed him, leaping repeatedly to disrupt the passing lane and deny an easy entry pass.
Seeing Durant curl out, Westbrook fired the ball in.
Durant caught it near the top of the arc, a good two meters beyond the three-point line. He gathered and immediately attacked. Blake Su slid over to pick him up—but Jeff Green rushed up to set a screen.
One wasn't enough.
Harden sprinted over as well, setting a second screen.
Durant didn't hesitate. Using the double screen, he shook free from Blake Su and accelerated toward the right wing. Curry rotated over to help. Durant's face hardened.
He stopped on a dime.
Rose up.
A sudden pull-up three.
"Ah!"
Curry let out a low shout, leaping with everything he had to contest. He gave it maximum pressure—but against Durant, it barely mattered.
The ball spun through the air, holding every fan's breath.
Is it good?
Swish.
Under countless fixed stares, the net snapped crisply. Clean.
The arena erupted. Thunder fans shot to their feet, fists pumping, faces lit with excitement. They believed it was over.
Durant had buried another clutch shot.
3.1 seconds remained for the Suns.
"Beep—"
Alvin Gentry immediately called timeout.
On the Suns bench,
Gentry gripped the clipboard and spoke loudly.
"Guys, time's almost gone. If we want to tie this, we need a three.
Curry, Steve Nash, Carter—
they all have range. Blake Su can shoot it too. So whoever gets the ball, take it without hesitation.
No second-guessing.
There's no time to hesitate. This is our last shot—and it's still a chance."
He tried to keep his tone steady.
But the players' expressions had tightened. Steve Nash and Carter frowned. Everyone understood the situation—3.1 seconds, down three.
Simple to say.
Incredibly hard to execute.
Only Curry was truly reliable from deep. Steve Nash hadn't found his rhythm. Carter wasn't consistent. Blake Su hadn't taken a three all season before tonight.
He'd already missed both of his attempts. His strength was the mid-range, not beyond the arc.
And now they needed a three.
That reality weighed heavily.
In the stands,
many Suns fans looked drained. They had led by as many as fifteen earlier, only to see it slip away.
Some fans cursed under their breath. A few even headed for the exits early, unable to watch the possible collapse.
"3.1 seconds… is there still hope?"
A young Suns girl whispered softly, her wide eyes fixed on Blake Su's back. She believed—if anyone could do it tonight, it was him.
Suddenly, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
All eyes turned toward the scorer's table, where several referees were gathered, reviewing something.
On the big screen above, a slow-motion replay of Durant's shot played.
And then—
something noticeable.
On the replay, Durant's left toe appeared to graze the three-point line as he took off. Just barely—but clearly.
Which meant—
it wasn't a three.
After reviewing the footage, the officials adjusted the score. The shot was ruled a two-pointer. The deficit shrank to two points.
A wave of relief swept through the Suns crowd.
3.1 seconds. Down two.
Winning was still unlikely.
But now, at least, a quick two could force overtime.
On the bench,
Blake Su narrowed his eyes at the scoreboard. He had little confidence in hitting a three in such a short window.
But a two?
With [Peak Anthony Jump Shot] activated—
that was possible.
[Ding!]
Suddenly, the System's notification echoed in his mind. It had been silent for a long time. The abrupt sound startled him.
[Ding! Random Task Triggered: Host must achieve a 40+ triple-double in a single game to obtain [Peak Curry Three-Point Shot].]
A 40+ triple-double?
Peak Curry Three-Point Shot?!
Blake Su's eyes lit up instantly. During his rookie period, "The Answer" Allen Iverson's three-point shooting had never been elite.
A mere [75 points] in the three-point attribute said it all.
If he could obtain Peak Curry's three-point ability—
his range would skyrocket. And that was exactly what he needed.
"Perfect."
He suppressed his excitement and quickly calculated his stats.
51 points. 10 rebounds. 8 assists. 5 blocks.
To complete a 40+ triple-double—
he needed two more assists.
But with only 3.1 seconds left, recording two assists was nearly impossible.
No—
completely impossible.
Unless…
they forced overtime.
At that thought, a sharp glint flashed in Blake Su's eyes.
"Beep beep!"
Timeout over.
Both starting lineups returned to the floor.
The final 3.1 seconds—life or death—began.