Chapter Thirty-Nine: Holding Back a Surge of Determination

Orlando Amway Center was bustling as fans streamed into the arena. Seats that had once appeared empty were gradually filled, and as most spectators settled in, the start of the game drew ever nearer.

On the sidelines, two ESPN commentators had thoroughly warmed up the audience for this matchup: a young team on a four-game losing streak, desperate to break their slump, with two top draft picks each scoring over thirty points in the previous games. Their form was superb.

On the other side, the Orlando Magic had returned home after their winning streak was ended by the three-game losing Chicago Bulls. They too were eager to avoid another defeat, determined not to slip into the early-season rhythm of consecutive losses. The entire Magic squad wanted nothing more than to avoid reliving that sensation.

“Guys, let’s show the home crowd our energy!” At the sidelines, Nikola Vucevic, undisputed leader of the Magic, was surrounded by his teammates. He raised his right hand high and roared, “We are tonight’s winners!”

With Vucevic’s rallying cry, everyone—including Rui Wu—lifted their hands, joined together, and broke apart with renewed vigor.

“This game is ours!” declared the Magic.

Across the court, the Timberwolves’ head coach, Tom Thibodeau, wore a stern expression as he addressed his team: “Remember our goal for this season. Tonight’s opponents are merely a stepping stone on our path to success.”

“That’s right, brothers! Let’s take the court and win this game!” As the team’s undeniable anchor in the paint, Karl-Anthony Towns also raised his right hand, gathering his teammates’ arms together in solidarity, then breaking apart with resolve.

Soon, the starters for both teams took the floor, and the three referees checked their equipment before taking their places at center court.

There was no need to guess the Timberwolves’ starting lineup: at point guard was the former Spanish prodigy, Ricky Rubio. Handsome and once the great hope of Minnesota, Rubio possessed extraordinary passing skills and elite playmaking ability. Yet, his lack of scoring prowess left him in a precarious position—neither quite elite nor entirely subordinate.

Although Rubio’s role was ambiguous, Rui Wu, sitting on the bench, felt a peculiar kinship when he saw the Spanish prodigy. He too lacked scoring ability, yet Rubio had carved out a place in the NBA through his masterful orchestration. Why couldn’t he do the same?

Of course, Wu knew the difference between them. For Rubio, scoring was optional; for Wu, it was indispensable. Wu defined himself as the Magic’s bench spark, a key rotation player in the second or third unit. He had to be “plug-and-play”—able to score as soon as he hit the floor, or else his presence was meaningless.

Rubio’s lack of scoring mattered little because the Timberwolves’ starters were not short on scoring threats. The trio of Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins, and Karl-Anthony Towns took the court together, and Wu sensed their intimidating presence. They were hungry for a win, desperate to end their embarrassing losing streak.

The Timberwolves’ final starter was Gorgui Dieng, paired with Towns in the interior.

The Magic’s starting lineup was unchanged. Elfrid Payton and Evan Fournier discussed tactics as they walked onto the court, unconcerned with the upcoming jump ball and preferring to strategize about shooting opportunities. On the wings, Serge Ibaka and Aaron Gordon stretched and loosened up, showing little sign of pressure.

Last to take the floor was Vucevic, the Magic’s center. He had lost several jump balls in succession, making him the most burdened player on the team. On certain American basketball forums, Magic fans even attributed the team’s losses to Vucevic’s failures at the tip-off. Though this reasoning was absurd, public opinion still had a significant impact on a player’s mindset.

That influence had seeped into Vucevic’s approach, and unsurprisingly, he lost another opening jump ball. The first possession belonged to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ricky Rubio quickly asserted control, displaying his skill with precision. After thoroughly surveying the court, the Spanish prodigy seized the moment and passed perfectly to Dieng, who had established position inside. Dieng pivoted effortlessly and lofted a short hook, scoring with ease.

“Ricky is an outstanding field commander, and Gorgui Dieng’s finishing has greatly improved,” one commentator praised.

The Timberwolves scored right away, earning high marks from the sideline announcers. Yet, before the praises could settle, their youthful inexperience cost them. Ibaka grabbed an offensive rebound inside, feinted, waited for Towns and company to leap, then used the timing gap to lay in an uncontested shot.

Both teams traded baskets in the opening moments, with the score rising alternately. But Minnesota was restless; Wiggins had been stifled and was itching to prove himself.

Receiving the ball from Towns on a pick-and-roll, the top draft pick called for the pass from Rubio. With a superb first step, he left Aaron Gordon, his defender, trailing. Two long strides brought him into the paint, and as Vucevic lunged to contest, Wiggins didn’t pass—he took a single step, leapt high, and slammed the ball through the hoop with one hand.

“Whoa!” Wiggins delivered a highlight-reel dunk early, leaving the crowd momentarily stunned. Some fans had barely opened their buckets of popcorn before their own basket was bombarded.

“A ferocious poster dunk from Minnesota’s number-one ‘Wolf’—Andrew Wiggins!” Even the commentator, who had been introducing the Timberwolves’ season, quickly shifted topics. “Look at that terrifying vertical leap—this is visible talent!”

Wiggins had been hailed for his beastly athleticism before the draft, propelling him to the top pick. After entering the league, fans joked that he would always opt for a layup unless he could dunk over someone—and if he dunked, it would be a poster.

Tonight, with pent-up energy, he proved them right.

Of course, Wiggins was no longer the rookie he once was; this season, his mid- and long-range shooting had progressed significantly. In addition to his earlier dunk, he hit two consecutive mid-range jumpers, helping the Timberwolves gain a temporary advantage.