Chapter 87: Stepping Up in the Crisis
When CJ collapsed to the floor, Chen Yilun shot up from his seat in alarm.
His heart sank instantly.
CJ wasn’t just the team’s starting point guard—he was their engine, running countless plays. If he was seriously hurt, the impact on the team would be enormous.
The referee quickly blew the whistle to stop the game. The Kings’ team doctor sprinted onto the court in a flash.
The arena erupted into chaos, buzzing like a crowded marketplace.
Wade, the other player involved, stood at the sideline with his head in his hands, guilt written across his face.
Anyone could see it had been a clean collision—CJ had simply lost his balance. That’s why everyone’s focus was on him, and no conflict broke out.
“How is he?” Malone rushed to the doctor.
“He’s definitely out for today. We’ll need hospital tests to know the full extent.”
After a quick check, the doctor added, “No broken bones, but it’s the knee. We’re worried about ligament damage.”
CJ was wheeled off the court.
“This is rough.”
Coach Malone scratched his head in frustration. CJ’s injury was a massive blow, and their record would surely suffer. Thankfully, it was still early in the season—there was time for him to come back.
Malone glanced at the bench.
“Devin, you’re running the offense!”
“Me?” Booker froze in shock. That sudden?
But there was no time to hesitate. Veteran Gay grabbed him and pulled him up.
“It’s fine, guys.”
Usually laid-back, Gay now spoke with firm conviction. “Follow my lead. We’re winning this game!”
With team morale at rock bottom, a veteran like Gay had to step forward.
He exchanged a look with Malone, straightened his jersey, and checked in.
On the first possession after play resumed, Booker crossed half court and saw Gay calling for the ball at the free-throw line.
When your leader calls for it, you give him the ball. Booker quickly lobbed it inside.
Gay caught the pass, leaned back to test Luol Deng’s defense, then spun sharply to create space.
He turned, stepped back, and drained the jumper.
Deng stood frozen.
“Th-this… this is Gay?” Deng’s eyes widened as he watched Gay hustling back on defense.
The two had entered the league around the same time. In Deng’s mind, Gay was the guy who always coasted, never pushing himself.
So what was going on today? What had gotten into him?
It wasn’t just Deng who was shocked. Even the Kings’ own players were surprised.
“Rudy’s really this fierce? He always seemed so chill and smiley. Who would’ve guessed?”
Booker’s eyes widened in amazement.
“Of course he’s fierce,” LaVine said proudly, lifting his chin. “Our captain just doesn’t bother showing it. You think he’s leader just because he’s older?”
Then Gay delivered a harsh lesson to the young Kings:
You can slack off, but you can’t be trash!
One isolation play after another, Gay took over, carrying the team and stabilizing their crumbling morale.
Seeing the situation settle, Malone and Chen Yilun finally relaxed.
“Keeping Gay this offseason was absolutely the right call. We need someone who can shoulder the burden in moments like this,” Chen Yilun sighed.
“Yeah, but he can’t do it forever. If CJ’s out long-term, we’re relying on an unpolished Booker as our main playmaker,” Malone said with concern.
“I know. Let’s wait for the hospital report first. If CJ can’t come back, I’ll figure something out.”
As they whispered, Gay drew the Heat’s defense with a drive, then kicked the ball to Booker in the corner. Booker buried the jumper.
“Booker’s still more of a finisher. Running the offense puts too much on him,” Malone muttered.
Booker was a natural scorer, but he needed someone else to run the offense.
“We still need a true point guard,” Chen Yilun agreed.
Both CJ and Booker were combo guards, but CJ was more balanced while Booker leaned heavily toward scoring.
“I’ll figure something out. But finding a point guard right now won’t be easy.”
...
The game ended in a noisy, chaotic atmosphere.
Without their engine, the Kings fell 101–116 on the road.
Gay finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Booker, thrust into the role unexpectedly, scored 18 points—his rookie season high.
“The situation doesn’t look good.”
Inside a Miami hospital, Chen Yilun and Mike Malone sat in a conference room, their faces grim with worry.
The team doctor held the fresh report.
“No fractures. But based on CJ’s pain points, it’s highly likely his left knee ligament is damaged.
If it’s Grade 1 or 2, it’s manageable. But if it’s Grade 3, we’ll have to consider shutting him down for the season.”
“Got it. Stay on this and update me as soon as the results are clear.”
After giving instructions, Chen Yilun entered CJ’s hospital room.
Lying in bed, CJ forced a smile that looked more painful than a cry when he saw him.
“Sorry, boss. I lost my footing.”
“It’s not your fault.” Chen Yilun waved his hand, cutting off his self-blame. “This happens all the time in basketball. Your only job now is to get healthy. The team will wait for you.”
After a few more words of comfort, Chen Yilun stepped out—running into Malone on his way in. They exchanged a glance of mutual understanding before parting.
Chen Yilun found a quiet spot in the stairwell, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number.
The call connected after just two rings.
“Boss, what do you need?” Divac’s voice came through, marked by his European accent.
“Start working the trade market tonight. We need a backup point guard.”
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