Chapter 106: Next Stop, Milwaukee!

The basketball soared from Michael Wu's hands, then zipped toward the hoop, swishing cleanly through the net!

“A mid-range jumper hits! It’s Michael Wu again—he’s scored five straight points since just stepping onto the court!”

“You can tell, sitting out just one game has clearly left this young man itching to play. His form is still blazing hot, and his touch remains impeccable!”

The commentators, flipping through the stats, continued, “Look back at the last game without Michael—Orlando just didn’t play like themselves at all.”

“Now look at them—it's like a completely different team!”

“To be honest, I even think Orlando’s second unit with Michael on the floor is stronger than their starting lineup!”

No sooner had the commentator finished than the Wizards’ second unit faltered, committing a careless turnover that gifted the Magic another fast-break opportunity.

Gary Payton Jr. surged ahead, with Michael Wu hot on his heels.

“Bang!”

Payton slammed the ball toward the rim. Wu’s eyes lit up; he bent his knees and leapt, catching the ball midair, adjusting slightly.

With a single-arm swing, he slammed it home.

“Dunk!”

The powerful dunk complete, Wu landed awkwardly, nearly twisting his ankle.

“You okay, Michael?” Payton asked anxiously, helping his teammate up.

Wu smiled and said, “It’s just been too long since I’ve dunked—almost botched even this kind of alley-oop.”

“You’re pushing for more dunks this game, then!” Payton grinned.

Payton loved Wu’s bold, uninhibited attitude, and indeed, the first half of the second quarter became Wu’s personal dunk showcase.

The Wizards’ second unit simply couldn’t contain this reckless young player.

“Michael Wu is like a fierce tiger, charging into the paint for his fourth dunk tonight!”

“Not only that, whenever the Wizards collapse their defense inside, he pulls up for mid-range jumpers like a bayonet—completely unstoppable!”

The commentators shook their heads in disbelief, as Wu and Payton’s synergy rendered the Wizards’ defense impotent.

In the latter half of the second quarter, both teams began systematic rotations, but by then, the Magic were already leading by double digits on the Wizards’ home court.

“49 to 39, Orlando’s bench bandits have dominated the second quarter. Now it’s up to Washington’s backcourt duo to see if they can turn the tide!”

The commentators’ excitement was fueled by Wu’s dazzling performance.

Otherwise, Magic fans might already be celebrating an early victory.

Of course, Washington’s two backcourt leaders were determined not to let the visitors have it so easy.

Once on the floor, they immediately found their rhythm.

John Wall drove to the basket and orchestrated the offense with sharp passes.

Bradley Beal took charge of scoring, his shooting touch in good form.

But Orlando’s starters weren’t to be underestimated.

They had noticed Wu’s impact on the floor—no starter was about to let their bench players steal the spotlight.

Thus, the two teams unleashed a scoring duel in the latter half of the second quarter.

Both sides shot brilliantly.

At halftime, the Magic clung to the narrow lead that Wu had helped build.

67 to 61, Orlando led by six points on the road.

Wu had played just eight minutes, tallying 14 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds—much to the commentators’ surprise.

Remember, he hadn’t played in the previous game, and before that, he’d been knocked to the floor by an opponent.

“Michael Wu has become indispensable to the Orlando Magic. Only with him on the court does this team have the credentials to compete with the rest of the league!”

The facts backed up the commentators’ words.

Without Wu, Orlando’s starters simply weren’t a match for the Wizards’ first unit.

As the third quarter began, Washington’s backcourt duo increased their offensive pressure, narrowing the gap.

Sensing danger, Magic head coach Frank Vogel raised his arm.

“Michael, get in!”

“Got it, coach!”

Answering the call, Wu shrugged off his warm-up jacket and stood ready at the sideline. As soon as the ball was dead, he sprinted onto the court.

“Michael Wu is back!”

The commentators grew animated at the sight of Orlando’s No. 0 returning to the game.

With Wu, the Magic’s offense transformed noticeably.

And on defense, Otto Porter found no escape from Wu’s relentless shadow. The Wizards’ young forward looked utterly frustrated.

Wu’s offensive game was straightforward: regardless of whether his defender was a starter or a reserve, he used screens to attack the rim—if he could dunk, he dunked; if not, he pulled up for an open mid-range jumper.

Though simple, Wu’s approach was undeniably effective.

Porter’s struggles on offense bled into his defense, compounded by Wu’s incessant verbal jabs, leaving the young forward drained.

Each step Porter faltered was like the Wizards cutting off their own arm, loosening their grip on the game.

Ultimately, in the fourth quarter, with Wu off the floor, the Magic launched a scoring surge that sealed the victory.

“94 to 86, the Orlando Magic have secured a hard-fought road win!”

“This was Michael Wu’s first game back. He scored 19 points, with 3 assists and 6 rebounds—undoubtedly one of the heroes of the win!”

“With him contributing off the bench from time to time, the Magic will definitely be a force this season!”

As the commentators wrapped up, TNT’s postgame panel convened as scheduled.

Their primary topic: Michael Wu’s triumphant return.

“Charles, Michael’s back, they won, and he played extremely efficiently, throwing down quite a few dunks.”

Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t hold back. “Come on, man, tell us what you think.”

“I think he was incredibly bright and outstanding out there,” Barkley nodded.

But then he shifted gears. “However, I want to remind everyone—this was just Orlando’s first road game. Tomorrow, they’re flying to Milwaukee, and you all know what awaits them there.”

“Exactly. These two teams just faced off a few days ago.”

Barkley caught his breath. “Plus, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Wu just had their ‘encounter’ too!”

“I’m really eager to see what sparks will fly when these two teams meet again so soon.”

“Michael Wu’s second game back will be against the very team he sat out against. How will he perform?”

“Honestly, I can’t wait to head to Milwaukee myself!”