This is a mismatch, Zeng Xingyang facing Zaza making low hand directional changes, pulling to the right side.
Then, quickly diving forward, retreating to create space for a mid-range stop.
Zaza lunged aggressively, completely disregarding Zeng Xingyang’s landing space.
Zeng Xingyang lands on Zaza’s foot, spraining his ankle momentarily.
"Dang, the host suffers a career-threatening injury, initiating protection protocol."
In the moment Zeng Xingyang landed, he felt pain, but it quickly vanished.
Zeng Xingyang quickly realized what had happened; it was a severe stepping-on incident.
The system that hadn’t activated for long now proactively protected him!
After Zeng Xingyang stood up, he rushed towards Zaza, but Jokic held him tightly.
The referee and security quickly separated Zeng Xingyang from Zaza.
"Brothers, get him for me." Zeng Xingyang knew he couldn’t rush through, so he quickly gave orders to his teammates, this anger had to be vented.
On the other side, Siakam swiftly sprinted from afar.
Siakam punched Zaza in the face; Zaza immediately bled, collapsing right into the Nuggets’ bench.
Dejounte Murray and Zubac saw Zeng Xingyang being stepped on, and filled with rage, attacked Zaza who was lying on the ground.
They were young and fearless, not afraid to cause a scene.
Zaza, unable to fight back, could only hold his head to protect his vital parts.
His mind was completely blank, he couldn’t believe the aggressiveness of the Nuggets players.
Pope, Gordon and other main players pretended to intervene, keeping security and referees away from pulling them apart.
Fortunately, Iguodala from the Warriors bench quickly pulled Zaza out of the crowd, thereby saving him.
Zaza was badly beaten, covered in blood, in a dazed state, as team doctors rushed over to stop the bleeding.
The sound of whistles mixed with the crowd’s jeers, turning the arena into a cacophony.
Siakam, Dejounte Murray, and Zubac knew they were about to be ejected, and they were prepared for it.
This was Zeng Xingyang and Mike Malone’s pre-game arrangement, when a conflict arises, fringe players must first hold off key players, then deal with the opponents.
After all, the game against the Warriors involves a lot of physical contact, making uncontrollable incidents likely; someone must maintain composure when emotions run high.
After regaining control of the arena, the referees quickly went to review the playback.
The conflict was extremely malicious.
At this moment, the screen overhead began to playback in slow motion.
The moment Zaza stepped on Zeng Xingyang was shown, and fans understood why Zeng Xingyang was so enraged.
It was an attempt to destroy Zeng Xingyang’s series.
The crowd endlessly jeered. The source of this content ɪs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁
Barkley said, "Zaza Pachulia’s stepping action is too dangerous, the league should explicitly ban such actions, they cause significant harm to players."
Smith remarked, "Because of Zaza Pachulia’s actions, a large-scale conflict broke out between the Nuggets and Warriors, making the direction of this Western Conference Finals unclear."
"Go for him, Murray and Zubac did well!"
"Damn, this is an attempt to ruin Xingyang, bastard, scumbag!"
"What kind of person is this, with such moral character."
"Zaza Pachulia has always had bad conduct, frequently making injurious actions."
"Damn, Xingyang’s foot is clearly sprained yet he stands up appearing unaffected."
"Luckily Xingyang is alright, domestically we can start boycotting Zaza."
"Damn, filthy bastard!"
A surge of anger flooded the domestic internet.
On the Nuggets’ side.
The team doctor, Mike Malone, Jokic, Butler and others surrounded Zeng Xingyang.
The team doctor asked, "Zeng, how are you feeling?"
"I’m fine, I can play," Zeng Xingyang replied.
If it weren’t for being overpowered, this would have been a severe injury.
What happened to Leonard had happened to me.
"F*ck, let’s block him after the match, don’t let him leave here," Butler angrily said.
"Calm down, don’t get too carried away; Zeng being fine is the best outcome," Jokic remarked.
Mike Malone, relieved to ascertain Zeng Xingyang was alright, relaxed.
Had Zeng Xingyang been injured, the Nuggets’ season efforts might have gone to waste.
Mike Malone wasn’t sure if this was Cole’s instigation, but it was his first-time feeling such fury.
The opponents were truly unscrupulous.
The referee’s punishment result was quickly announced.
Zaza’s foot-stepping action was deemed a flagrant 2, leading to his ejection.
Meanwhile, for the Nuggets, Siakam, Zubac, and Dejounte Murray were ejected.
The greatest authority of a referee is to eject players; post-match punishment falls to the league’s decision.
Zeng Xingyang stood at the free throw line, attempting two free throws while the Nuggets retained possession.
After a long period of match stoppage, the game finally resumed.
Zeng Xingyang missed the first free throw, adjusted and hit the second, adjusting the score to 113 to 114.
The Nuggets continued their attack.
Zeng Xingyang holding the ball at the top of the arc.
Zeng Xingyang tried his best to adjust his mentality, not dwelling on frustrating matters, as winning is the Nuggets’ highest priority now.
As for dealing with Zaza, that’s a post-match issue, this isn’t over.
If he aims to ruin my career, then I aim to destroy his!
Zeng Xingyang initiated a pick-and-roll with Jokic.
After the pick-and-roll, Zeng Xingyang broke right, drawing the defense, then returned a bounce pass to Jokic.
Between Jokic floated a shot.
The Nuggets maintained their scoring.
But the Warriors weren’t affected by this incident; Curry showed his nerves.
Curry dribbled to the frontcourt and passed to Green.
Green feigned a hand-off to Thompson but chose to drive himself instead.
Green drove to the inside, drawing the defense, then flung the ball to Durant on the right 30-degree angle.
Butler rushed to defend, failing to stop Durant’s pull-up.
Durant jumped for a three-pointer.
The basketball traced a beautiful arc.
Butler felt the cumbersome sensation akin to guarding Zeng Xingyang in training matches.
Durant’s offensive rhythm and method were perceived but couldn’t be stopped.
Durant’s gaze was sharp; he constantly longed for victory.
Time now down to 56 seconds.
Mike Malone opted to halt the game, stabilizing the pace a bit.
This difficulty in handling the Warriors stems from having numerous players who can step up.