Chapter 368: A Second Bloom.
(TL/n:Hey everyone,
First of all, I want to sincerely apologize for the sudden radio silence this past week. I've seen your messages, and I can't thank you enough for checking in and expressing your concern. It truly means a lot.
The truth is, I've been dealing with some personal issues that needed my full attention. Nothing overly dramatic or life-threatening—just one of those times where life throws a curveball, and you need to take a step back to catch your breath. I'm okay now, and I've been trying to get things back on track.
To be honest, this break gave me time to reflect not just on the story but also on the amazing support you've all shown. When life gets tough, what keeps me going is knowing there are people out there who enjoy what I create and are patient with me during these moments.
I'd like to ask for just one thing moving forward: if I ever need another short break, please know it's never because I don't care or am giving up on the story. Your support and enthusiasm are what keep this project alive, even during difficult times. All I ask is for your patience and understanding when I hit those rough patches.
Thank you for sticking around, for checking in, and for being such an incredible community. I'll be posting regularly again starting today, and I'm so excited to dive back into the story with all of you.)
With about three minutes left in the first quarter, both teams began making their rotations.
The score stood at 28-26, with the Warriors holding a slim lead.
The Cavaliers' role players had been disastrous so far, shooting a combined 1-of-6 from the field, with the only make being a Dwyane Wade layup. Their offense relied heavily on the two-man game between Han Sen and Nikola Jokic, who carried the team early. Jokic dominated with 14 points and 4 rebounds in the quarter, while Han added 10 points and 5 assists.
On commentary, Shaquille O'Neal couldn't help but compare Jokic's performance to his own prime. "This feels like the old Lakers—one big, one wing, dominating the game."
But for Cleveland, this reliance on their stars wasn't sustainable. With so much energy spent early, concerns grew about how they'd maintain this intensity for the full game.