206: Chapter 206 The Needle in a Desperate Situation! Kobe's Sacrifice!

The final buzzer echoed through the arena.

The sound was as sharp as a knife, severing the Lakers' last shred of hope.

The Miami Heat players rushed towards James.

They lifted him high.

Cheers.

Shouts.

Celebration.

The entire American Airlines Center turned into a sea of red.

Lin Feng stood in place.

His body felt drained.

He watched the revelry of red.

He looked at the glaring score on the scoreboard: 111 to 109.

They lost.

They still lost.

Even after Kobe gave everything, even gambled his career, to fight for their last chance.

They still lost.

An indescribable sense of powerlessness washed over his entire body.

His gaze pierced through the celebrating crowd.

It landed at the entrance of the player tunnel.

Kobe was still sitting there.

That silhouette.

Amidst the fluttering confetti and deafening cheers.

Looked so lonely.

So desolate.

Lin Feng's eyes reddened.

He knew, at this moment, Kobe's heart must be hurting more than his.

On the flight back to Los Angeles, the cabin was terrifyingly quiet.

No one spoke.

No one watched TV.

No one even moved.

Everyone sat in their seats, like soulless statues.

Lin Feng leaned against the window, looking out at the dark night sky.

In his mind, he replayed the final moments of the game, over and over.

The scene of Kobe falling.

That pained roar.

That face twisted in agony.

And him sitting at the entrance of the player tunnel, that look of unwillingness.

That desolate silhouette.

Scene after scene played on a loop in his mind, like a movie.

His heart felt gripped by an invisible hand.

It hurt so much he could barely breathe.

A rage, unlike any before.

A killing intent, icy and piercing.

Began to burn wildly deep within him.

This was no longer for himself.

No longer for that damn championship.

This was for Kobe!

To protect the final dignity of a legend!

To help his idol complete this last dance!

He wanted revenge!

He would make the Miami Heat pay the price!

He would make LeBron James pay a bloody price for his words, 'Welcome to the NBA Finals'!

Lin Feng slowly closed his eyes.

...

The next day, the Lakers officially released the latest medical report.

This report was like a black lightning bolt splitting the gloomy sky over Los Angeles.

"Kobe Bryant, after an MRI examination, has been diagnosed with a severe knee sprain, accompanied by significant fluid buildup."

"The medical expert panel unanimously recommends he needs to rest for at least 4-6 weeks."

4-6 weeks.

This meant Kobe's season was effectively over.

This news hung over the entire city like a dark cloud.

The media and fans fell into utter despair.

"It's over! Everything is over!"

"Down 0-2, and now losing Kobe, the Lakers will be swept 0-4!"

"Game 3 will be the final curtain call for this legendary team!"

Pessimism spread like a plague.

On the day of Game 3.

In the Lakers' locker room at the Staples Center.

The atmosphere was deathly silent.

Kobe's seat was empty.

That purple and gold number 24 jersey hung there quietly.

Like a silent tombstone.

The players hung their heads, devoid of fighting spirit.

Nash was rubbing his knee.

Gasol stared blankly at the ceiling.

Howard irritably tore at the tape on his fingers.

Coach D'Antoni stood before the whiteboard, his voice sounding weak.

He outlined the strategy.

But no one was really listening.

Everyone knew this was merely a final, desperate struggle.

Just as the team was about to take the court.

Creeeak—

The locker room door was pushed open.

A figure appeared in the doorway.

Everyone's movements stopped.

They looked up towards the door.

Then, everyone froze.

Kobe, limping.

Supported by the Team Doctor.

Wearing practice gear, he walked in.

His left knee was wrapped in thick bandages, but the terrifying swelling was still visible.

He didn't speak.

He just scanned each teammate with those eyes, still sharp as an eagle's.

The locker room was so quiet you could hear heartbeats.

Kobe walked to his seat.

He didn't sit down.

He nodded to the Team Doctor.

The Team Doctor's expression was complex.

There was helplessness, reluctance, but it all finally turned into a sigh.

He opened the medical kit he carried.

From it, he took out a long syringe.

The needle reflected a cold light under the lights.

It was a needle used for draining fluid and injecting Cortisone.

Cortisone.

A high-concentration painkiller.

It could directly numb the nerves, making one temporarily forget the pain.

But the side effects were enormous.

It would worsen the injury, even potentially cause permanent damage.

Everyone understood now.

They looked at that syringe.

Shock was written on every face.

"Boss, you..."

Lin Feng's voice trembled.

Kobe didn't look at him.

He just slowly rolled up his pant leg in front of everyone.

Revealing that terribly swollen knee.

He nodded to the Team Doctor again.

"Do it."

The Team Doctor's hand shook slightly.

He looked at Kobe, then at the surrounding players.

"Kobe, are you really going to do this?"

"This will destroy you."

Kobe's face showed no expression.

"Follow the order."

His voice brooked no argument.

Under everyone's utterly shocked gazes.

The Team Doctor gritted his teeth.

He aimed that cold, long needle at Kobe's swollen knee.

Then.

He plunged it in, hard!

"Ugh!"

Kobe's body tensed violently.

Veins bulged on his forehead.

He clenched his teeth tightly.

Not uttering a sound.

But his face, twisted in extreme agony, was deeply imprinted in everyone's heart.

The medicine in the syringe was slowly pushed into his knee.

Time.

Became excruciatingly long at this moment.

Lin Feng clenched his fists tightly.

He watched Kobe's face.

He could almost feel the searing pain of the needle piercing the bone marrow.

His heart bled.

Finally.

The injection was complete.

The Team Doctor pulled out the needle.

Kobe let out a long, heavy breath.

His entire body was soaked in cold sweat.

He stood up.

Moved that now-numb left leg.

Then.

He turned around.

Looked at Lin Feng.

His eyes were calm and resolute.

"When I'm on the court, I'll only do three things."

His voice was hoarse, yet full of strength.

"Set screens for you."

"Pass you the ball."

"Pave the way for you."

Lin Feng looked at Kobe.

Looked at this man who was sacrificing his career, his body, for him.

His eyes instantly reddened.

He knew.

Kobe was using the last bit of light and heat of his career.

To pave the final path.

For the birth of a new king.

When Kobe, wearing that number 24 jersey, limped onto the Staples Center court first.

The entire arena, nearly twenty thousand fans.

First, fell into a deathly silence.

Then.

Erupted with a volcanic roar of shouts, mingling heartache and reverence!

"MVP!"

"MVP!"

"MVP!"