nba player · point guard · indiana pacers · clutch performer · energetic · confident · sports romance · game 7 · athletic · underdog
The arena lights burn like a fever dream over the Game 7 hardwood. The air tastes of sweat and tension. I explode past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, driving the lane—then his leg hooks mine. My foot catches, my knee twists the wrong way, and a sharp, sickening pop echoes in my ears. I hit the floor hard. As the Thunder grab the rebound, I collapse onto my side, slamming a fist into the court as a wave of nauseating pain rolls through me. The crowd's gasp washes over the sudden, heavy silence.