Stockton clutched his right eye in pain. Although there was no blood, there were clear abrasions and broken skin. He was substituted by Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan.
As for Link, despite his "superb" acting, he ultimately received a technical foul.
"rookie, I didn't expect you to be so dirty..." Karl Malone, one of the Black and White Duo, said coldly after seeing his old partner injured.
"Buddy, didn't you see I didn't do it on purpose?" Link rolled his eyes at him.
Soon, Karl Malone got a mismatch opportunity to post up Link. After receiving the ball with his back to the basket, he intentionally swung his left elbow towards Link while turning to his right. In an instant, Link felt as if his ribs were fractured.
In pain, Link naturally couldn't keep up. However, Karl Malone, who was nearing the end of his career, got past Link's defense and, before Buffalo White could double-team, "Bang!" he completed a two-handed dunk.
After landing, Karl Malone first gave Link a disdainful look, then glanced at Michael Jordan.
Sweating profusely, Michael Jordan chewed gum expressionlessly.
Michael Jordan was ready to go head-to-head with his old rival in the next possession, but... his own rookie beat him to it.
"Michael!" Link told Michael Jordan to go to the corner.
The next moment, Link forced Karl Malone to switch defenses through a high pick-and-roll with Laettner.
"Hmph, rookie, bring it on. Let me see what you've got." Karl Malone understood Link's intention and directly met the challenge.
Although Karl Malone's athleticism had declined significantly from his peak, he was still contributing nearly 23 points this season. With his rich defensive experience, Karl Malone continuously anticipated Link's breakthrough routes. Suddenly, Link made a sudden stop, holding the ball with his right hand. "Thump!" The basketball quickly slapped the floor, changing direction with a huge swing like a pendulum, directly evading Malone's defense.
At this moment, Malone also showed what it meant to be a "court veteran." He tugged at Link's jersey with his hand, forcibly slowing him down, and then quickly let go. The referee didn't even see this small movement. Link saw himself about to be caught up by Karl Malone again, and he raised his right hand, which was protecting the ball, swinging his right elbow towards Karl Malone.
This elbow also solidly hit Malone's chest. Although Link's strength was not outstanding, his fighting skills were definitely semi-professional, with excellent force and angle. Even though Malone seemed to be wearing armor, he was immediately bent over by the elbow.
Link drove to the basket, using a change of pace to execute a reverse layup, successfully fooling the Utah Jazz Center Greg Ostertag. However... the Jazz's substitute forward, Andrei Kirilenko, this AK47, came out from the side with a "Clang!" and delivered a chase-down Block on Link against the backboard.
But luckily... the AK47 blocked the ball only after it hit the backboard, and the referee called "goaltending."
...
...
"rookie, you're really hypocritical... But I'll make you pay for it." Karl Malone, having caught his breath, said fiercely to Link.
"Anytime!" Link was not to be outdone.
Their confrontation escalated. Throughout the third quarter and the first half of the fourth quarter, a strong smell of gunpowder filled the air, with elbows flying.
Link, who was at a disadvantage in height, weight, and strength, managed to inflict no less damage than Karl Malone due to his superior "fighting skills." However, the two also had a good understanding, neither of them going for a killing blow.
Watching Link exchange elbows with Karl Malone, wincing in pain, Jordan didn't forget to say, "rookie, why are you competing with him?"
"Michael... this kind of confrontation is like a tickle to me..." Link waved his hand after getting up, his tone dismissive, but Michael Jordan, standing nearby, clearly felt that Link was just putting on a brave face; he was genuinely in pain.
At 6 minutes and 11 seconds into the fourth quarter, Karl Malone, on a fast break, again raised his elbow against Link, who was trying to lean in. "Thump!" Link fell directly to the ground, and the referee's whistle sounded.
"Beep!"
The referee gave Karl Malone an unsportsmanlike foul, and he was immediately ejected from the game.
At the same time, Karl Malone couldn't help but jump up, spread his hands, and shout at the referee, "What?"
Karl Malone explained to the referee that he hadn't elbowed Link and that the guy was just faking a fall.
However, at this point, the referee couldn't stand it anymore and said impatiently, "Karl, I've warned you many times, but your actions haven't changed at all. Just tell me how many times you've elbowed this rookie tonight?"
Karl Malone was speechless.
To be honest...
It was quite a few.
But this time, he really didn't touch him.
Karl Malone glanced at Link, who was lying on the ground with his hands covering his face, and felt even more furious. He really wanted to rush over and pull his hands away, certain to find a smug smile underneath.
That's right, this time Link was indeed not elbowed by Karl Malone. The moment the opponent's iron elbow flashed and their faces almost touched, he fell backward, making it look like he was elbowed by Karl Malone from every angle...
"Damn rookie..."
"You just wait."
Karl Malone, having been tricked by Link, gritted his teeth in frustration.
...
...
The absolute core of the Black and White Duo—the Black Evil "Karl Malone"—was ejected for an unsportsmanlike foul due to elbowing "Link."
The White Evil "John Stockton" was poked in the eye by Link. Although it wasn't serious, his vision was limited, and he was older. Most importantly, without Karl Malone, Stockton at this stage was no better than a starting point guard on an ordinary team.
In the last 5 minutes of the game, the Washington Wizards, trailing by 12 points, immediately started their comeback.
AK47 primarily defended Michael Jordan, but Michael Jordan's touch was excellent tonight. Even without enough Speed to shake off AK47, Jordan's fadeaway jump shot was still undefendable by the statically gifted AK47.
Michael Jordan's absolute Speed is not good now, but his pace is still top-tier in the league. For example, a series of movements like a turnaround fadeaway jump shot, Michael Jordan executes them faster than others, without any sloppiness.
As for Link, although he would be deterred by AK47's help defense, reducing his shot attempts, his "Old Michael Jordan" could get good offensive opportunities.
And without Karl Malone, the Jazz's offense was largely crippled. Although AK47 was known as an all-around warrior, it was more reflected in his defense. His offense relied on off-ball cuts and catch-and-shoot jumpers, but these had not reached All-Star level.
Ultimately...
87 to 90!
The Washington Wizards narrowly defeated the Utah Jazz at home.
Player individual statistics:
Michael Jordan: 16 of 28 field goals, 1 of 4 Three-Point Shots, 3 of 4 free throws, scoring 36 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 Steal.
Link: 8 of 16 field goals, 1 of 3 Three-Point Shots, 3 of 5 free throws, scoring 20 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, 1 Block.
Yes, that's right.
Link did not get a Steal in this game, but he did get one Block on Stockton.
As for the 8 rebounds, which was the highest for the Wizards, 7 of them were uncontested rebounds, in other words, long rebounds he simply picked up.
After the game, Link, who achieved a near triple-double, received a lot of praise but also criticism from fans.
[Black-hearted King — Link, poked the legendary point guard Stockton in the eye during the game, elbowed Karl Malone, and finally, through flopping, got Karl Malone ejected from the home court, winning a shameful game.]
[The bad boy of the new era, shamelessly employing an extreme exchange tactic. The league should investigate him.]