After defeating the Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Clippers currently hold a record of 30 wins and 3 losses, one more win than the Golden State Warriors' 29 wins and 3 losses.
Because the Warriors defeated the Clippers in their first matchup of the season, there wasn't a significant gap between the two teams.
However, this was still a cause for celebration for the entire Clippers team.
Yet, joy turned to sorrow as the Clippers lost to the Houston Rockets on the road during their flight to Houston.
Throughout the entire game, they certainly put in effort, even keeping the score tied until the very end.
But at the critical moment, Kai Chen missed consecutive shots, losing the opportunity to win and ultimately costing them the game.
A 104-108 score, a 4-point difference, could certainly be described as a narrow loss.
Kai's performance tonight seemed to have been entirely used up in the previous game against the Heat, as he was very sluggish.
Throughout the game, he made 7 of 24 field goals and 2 of 10 three-pointers. If not for making 10 free throws, his stats would have been quite unsightly.
Nevertheless, he still managed to get 26 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
The Los Angeles Clippers suffered their fourth loss of the season.
Immediately after, they continued their journey to Washington to challenge the Washington Wizards on the road.
Facing the Wizards, who were ranked eleventh in the Eastern Conference, they easily defeated them.
Kai didn't have a spectacular performance, but he had many eye-catching passes, recording 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists.
After defeating the Wizards, the Clippers' record improved to 31 wins and 4 losses.
Surprisingly, although the Wizards lost to the Clippers, they had defeated the reigning champions, the Golden State Warriors, in their previous game.
In fact, that game could only be described as a narrow victory for the Wizards.
Durant exploded for 48 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, making 17 of 26 field goals throughout the game, but unfortunately, the Splash brothers completely lost their way in Washington, combining for only 28 points.
Even more frightening was that Draymond Green made 0 of 10 field goals and committed 8 turnovers throughout the game.
Even Durant, who scored a new season-high, could not lead his team to victory in Washington.
Thus, they still trailed the Clippers by one win, with a record of 30 wins and 4 losses.
After defeating the Wizards, the Clippers continued their road trip to challenge the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets were not much better than the Wizards, but their 7th overall pick this year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, had an eye-catching rookie season.
Therefore, this matchup between Kai and Shai also attracted a lot of attention.
The camera arrived at Spectrum Center in Charlotte!
"The NBA never lacks talent!"
The commentator on the sidelines passionately delivered the opening remarks: "Today we will witness two extremely talented young men leading their respective teams in a head-to-head battle in this arena!"
"It's worth mentioning that Kai is from Duke University, while Shai is from Kentucky University!"
These two old prestigious schools send talent to the NBA every year.
Another commentator added: "Today will be the first time these two face each other on an NBA court!"
"That's right, both Kai Chen and Shai have delivered excellent performances in their rookie seasons!"
If Kai is the future of the Clippers.
Then Shai is the future of the Charlotte Hornets!
"I'm no worse than Kai Chen, or rather..."
Shai, who was being interviewed by the media before the game, said seriously: "I'm no worse than anyone!"
If there hadn't been Kai, SGA would have had a high probability of being drafted by the Clippers.
But precisely because of his appearance, Shai drafted by the Hornets, began to flourish in Charlotte!
In his rookie season, he could put up stats of 18.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, and was only behind Kai Chen and Luka Dončić on the Rookie of the Year list.
His excellent performance quickly led the team to establish him as the core of their tactical system.
Perhaps, the wheels of fate began to turn the moment Jerry West valued Kai Chen.
But it must be said that it was Jerry West's independent vision that led to the emergence of two geniuses!
"SGA is very strong, I look forward to playing against him!"
Kai, who was also being interviewed, clearly wasn't focused on Shai.
After simply saying this, Kai turned and immersed himself in the team's pre-game warm-up.
Kai's attitude in the pre-game interview also made Shai on the opposing side a bit annoyed.
"Beep!"
With a whistle from the Main Referee, the starting lineups of both teams stepped onto the court!
The Los Angeles Clippers' starting lineup remained unchanged: Beverley + Carmelo + Jeff Green + Lopez, and Kai Chen!
This lineup has been used since the start of the season and has remained at the top of the entire league, and Doc Rivers has no intention of adjusting the lineup.
The Charlotte Hornets' lineup was: Shai + Monk + Batum + Marvin Williams + Kaminsky.
It's worth mentioning that during the offseason, the Hornets acquired Tony Parker through Batum's recruitment.
The aging French sports car, although no longer as sharp as he once was, is still a mentor to this young team.
"SGA!!"
"SGA!!"
"SGA!!"
When Shai came to the scorer's table, the entire Spectrum Center erupted in deafening cheers.
In the eyes of Charlotte fans, Shai was no worse than Kai at all!!
"Ever since Michael Jordan bought the Hornets, this team's performance has truly been hard to describe."
Listening to the cheers of the entire arena, the live commentator couldn't help but say: "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the hope of all of Charlotte!"
"They are all looking forward to SGA leading the team to a new peak!"
As the two commentators finished speaking, both centers had already walked to the mid-court line.
The Main Referee tossed the ball high, and Kaminsky tipped the ball first, batting it into Shai's hands.
The Charlotte Hornets initiated the first possession of the game.
Shai dribbled the ball up the court, and facing Beverley's defense, he created space with a sudden burst of a change of direction, then used his change of pace to shake off the latter!
The former's continuous moves directly shook Beverley two meters away.
At this moment, Beverley was shocked!
He would not have thought that a rookie would execute such a smooth combination.
"Swish!"
After shaking off Beverley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pulled up for a mid-range jump shot and calmly made it!
2:0!
The home team Hornets, relying on SGA's mid-range jump shot, scored first!!
"Perfect change of pace, SGA always uses changes in rhythm to find solutions!"
"Even Beverley, who has consistently been on the All-Defensive Team for years, couldn't defend him!"
Shai's shot also made the Hornets' commentator at the scene cheer with delight!
The King from Charlotte, should also be like this!!
Offensive-defensive transition!
Beverley, who was frustrated on defense, quickly dribbled the ball past half-court, then passed it to Kai at the top of the arc.
"Boom!"
The moment the basketball touched his hands, the other Clippers players on the court actively spaced out.
"Whoosh!"
Facing Monk's defense, Kai didn't use fancy dribbling, nor did he have Shai's smooth changes of direction. With one quick step, he directly drove into the three-point line from the defender's left side.
Kai's quick first step startled Monk, who immediately chased him at full speed.
"Boom!"
But the next moment, Kai who had rushed inside the three-point line, instantly pulled back with the ball, then made a small fake, disrupting Monk's defensive balance.
"Oh oh~~"
Amidst the exclamations of the entire crowd, Monk, who was defending Kai, lost his footing and crashed to the ground!
At this moment, Kai Chen who had stepped back beyond the three-point line, glanced at the fallen Monk, then shrugged his shoulders, and before the help defense arrived, he pulled up for a three-pointer!!
"Bang!!!"
The basketball in the air was like a sharp blade, delivering a fatal blow!!
3:2!
"I've lost count of how many people Kai has shaken down this season!"
"His moves are very enticing and deceptive!"
"If you fall into his trap, then you might as well hand over your bank card password!"
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