Boston fans have particularly interesting expressions at this moment.
Many fans are holding their heads with both hands, but you can’t tell if their expressions are of excitement or frustration, or perhaps it’s frustrated excitement.
With only 10 seconds left in the game, Hansen’s 2+1 has basically sentenced the Celtics to death.
Moreover, Hansen scored 83 points, officially surpassing Kobe’s 81 points, marking an absolute historic moment.
"The greatest scoring performance in NBA history has been born!"
Over at the commentary booth, O’Neal finally excitedly concluded.
Some fans might mention Chamberlain’s 100 points, but in fact, that game was entirely a farce, a classic one-sided scoring event.
According to participants’ descriptions, during that game, the Warriors’ coach did not sub out Chamberlain even when the game was decided in three quarters and the New York Knicks had already substituted their starters, using fouls to continually grant the Warriors possession and letting others refrain from shooting while creating opportunities for him to score.
Afterward, the New York Knicks’ coach Donovan described it as: "The game was a farce; they fouled us, then we fouled them back."
Similar scenarios were present during David Robinson’s single-game 71 points.
This is also why many fans previously considered Kobe’s 81 points to be the greatest scoring performance.
Even though that was largely due to the Raptors sticking to a single defense strategy throughout, Kobe still earned those points honestly.
But now, Hansen has surpassed that score in an even more fiercely contested game.
And like Kobe against the Raptors, there was no overtime.
Hansen stepped up to the free-throw line, and surprisingly, the boos in the venue were minimal.
Perhaps in their hearts, most fans hoped Hansen would make the free throw, making the scoring performance even crazier.
At this point, Hansen felt no psychological pressure.
That last shot had a bit of luck involved, but making it essentially locked in the victory.
After taking a deep breath to relax his tired muscles, Hansen shot the free throw.
No suspense at all, Hansen’s additional free throw went in steadily, raising his personal score to 84 points.
The Celtics called their last timeout.
Returning from the timeout, the Cavaliers’ defense spread wide, focusing on defending the three-point shot.
The Celtics played a high-post strategy with Horford; seeing no opportunities emerging from the outside for a three-point shot, Horford could only quickly attack the basket to grab two points.
With 6 seconds left in the game, a 4-point deficit was already difficult to overcome.
However, the Celtics seemed unwilling to give up, as their players continued to prepare for fouls.
To be safe, Malone called a timeout.
Returning from the timeout, the ball was passed to Hansen, Durant chose to foul, sending Hansen to the free-throw line.
At this moment, the huge interference sound rose once again, as the game’s outcome hung in the balance.
Hansen adjusted his breathing amidst the interference.
According to O’Neal, every point he scored now was further elevating the greatness of this scoring performance.
Hansen’s first free throw went in steadily.
Immediately following was his second free throw, also going in steadily.
These two free throws completely sealed the victory, bringing Hansen’s total score to 86 points!
The Celtics had no remaining timeouts; Horford launched a fast pass from the backcourt, Irving sped forward to attempt a trailing three-pointer, which missed, and Hansen captured the long rebound. The Celtics chose not to continue fouling, thus ending the game.
When the final buzzer sounded, the cameras immediately focused on Hansen on the court, with the LED screen displaying Hansen’s stats for the night.
shots with 30 made, 4 out of 7 three-pointers, 22 out of 23 free throws, 86 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 3 turnovers.
The scene was in an uproar, interspersed with cheers.
If you hadn’t watched this game, just glancing at the numbers on the LED, you’d assume it was a display error.
But those who witnessed this game tonight saw the most worthwhile match of all!
During the post-game handshake, Irving smiled broadly as he shook Hansen’s hand, hugging him tightly and congratulating him.
He had unpleasant encounters with the Cavaliers, but he held nothing but gratitude towards Hansen, and his excitement stemmed from witnessing such a great scoring performance.
His personality may be peculiar, but it doesn’t stop him from being straightforward with his emotions.
In fact, Irving and Durant both performed well tonight, each scoring over 40 points.
Having two players score over 40 points in the same game and still lose is historically rare indeed.
At the post-game press conference, Hansen attended alongside Jokic.
En route to the press conference, numerous reporters were already capturing photos of Hansen in the hallway.
On a night , anything related to Hansen would become extraordinary.
The game ball, the shoes, even a random hallway photo.
As Hansen entered the press conference, the throng of reporters was as chaotic as ever, many stood up with cameras, frantically taking pictures.
Eleven years later, someone scored over 80 points again, causing more than just a stir.
Once Hansen sat down, reporters’ questions surged like a tide.
What’s your current mood, did you expect to score 86 points tonight beforehand, etc.
"We needed this win; everyone thought they were the better team, so we had to show everyone we are the better one." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
Though he scored 86 points, Hansen emphasized our team in the interview.
"I’m happy we won this match, but there are many aspects we need to improve; we need to analyze quickly, because we aim not just for tonight’s win, but an entire series."