บท 170: Knicks vs. Bulls: Final Minutes I

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: October 22nd, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Madison Square Garden, New York)~~~

~~~(Time: 5:55 PM)~~~

We're in the last 3 minutes of the fourth quarter, and the game is close. The score is 115 to 114 in favor of the Bulls. Tom took me out for the first 5 minutes of the fourth quarter after we gained the lead. Since then, the game has been back and forth.

Taking that 5-minute break on the bench for me was unnecessary in my eyes. I can't really complain, though. My teammates kept the game close, and now I'm back in.

The entire crowd is standing as I bring the ball down the court, nice and slow. Before I can get very far, a double team comes, and I pass it to Brunson. And he immediately passes it to Barrett, who is open in the corner.

Barrett has been on fire since the third quarter started. He's got 26 points and 7 assists this game. Brunson has done well for himself too. Scoring 25, but he's been relatively cold since the fourth quarter started.

I've got the majority of the points. My stat line is 42 points, 9 Assists, 13 Rebounds, 1 Block, and 2 Steals. The 5-minute break at the start of the fourth and missing the entire second quarter have prevented me from doing better.

This is proof there is a way to stop me in the NBA. Well, somewhat slow me down. My current stats are nothing to sneeze at. I'm perfect from the field, 3-point, and free throw. I've taken a very low amount of shots. Which has opened the door for my other teammates.

That's the benefit of having me on your team. I'm so efficient in my shooting and scoring; I actually get the ball in my teammate's hands more than my own and still produce more points than them.

My mind shifts back to the game, and we're on defense after Barretts quick 3-pointer. Making the score 117 to 115 in our favor. Barrett almost has a 30-piece now. Zach steps on the gas, blows past Brunson, and jumps into Jericho.

Getting the layup and a foul call. Meaning he gets a three-point play. The Refs have been doing a better job at calling the game since the third quarter. If you asked me, I'd think it's from fear of not getting out of the building alive.

"The game ain't over yet, and you bet money on it bitch."

Zach immediately starts talking trash into Brunson's ear as he passes by him. The tension is high on the court now. I make my way to my spot in the key, and we watch Zach sink his free throw.

Tying the game 117 to 117.

I'm looking to ice this game before we enter the final minute thirty. The ball is inbounded to me, and I make my way down the court. I see Jericho cutting to the basket after losing Kostos. I lob it a little in front of half-court. Jericho catches it and slams it down.

The crowd goes absolutely wild. And The Bulls use their last time-out.

The score is now 119 to 117 in favor of us. And there is only 1:22 left in the fourth quarter. I make my way to the bench and start chugging the Gatorade. With that last Assist, I've completed the triple-double.

~~~(POV: Ellie)~~~

~~~(Date: October 22nd, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Madison Square Garden, New York)~~~

~~~(Time: 5:57 PM)~~~

I know Hannah would want to be here right now. The game is way closer than people thought it'd be. When Ulysses had to sit out the entire second quarter, the Bulls really took advantage of that. But my son has stepped up, and he's killing the competition.

"He's doing an excellent job considering how tough the Bulls are playing him."

The woman I've been sitting next to for the game starts another conversation. I've agreed to ask Ulysses to give her son his game shoes.

"Yeah, but the Bulls aren't going out with a whimper. I can see it on their faces. They're mad."

It makes me worried that something bad will happen again, but I know the line. I can't go down there and yell at those guys. Ulysses is 18 and more than prepared to deal with anything. I can see that now.

He handled the flagrant foul against him better than anyone else did.