The NBA's Twilight Star System

The third quarter began with Jay Sun on the bench as Kyrie Irving and LeBron James led the Cavaliers.

During this period, LeBron often allowed Irving to take the reins, giving him space to play his game while providing support when needed.

With Rajon Rondo resting, Irving faced little resistance, slicing through the Celtics' defense with ease.

Midway through the third quarter, Rondo checked back in to regain control of the game. At the same time, Tyronn Lue turned to Jay and said, "Jay, get ready to go back in."

The Celtics weren't an easy opponent, so Lue prepared to deploy his closing lineup.

With two minutes left in the third quarter, LeBron intercepted a pass intended for Jeff Green, knocking the ball out of bounds. Both teams used the stoppage to substitute their key players back in.

As Rondo stepped onto the court, the Celtics seemed revitalized. Their offense suddenly clicked, moving with purpose and fluidity.

Rondo passed to Green, who curled around a screen and took a long two-pointer. The shot clanged off the rim, and Tristan Thompson grabbed the rebound, quickly finding Kevin Love.

Love launched a quarterback-like pass to LeBron, who caught the ball near the free-throw line. Taking one step, LeBron soared for a thunderous tomahawk dunk.

Boom!

The arena erupted, and Jay couldn't help but admire the raw dominance of "King James."

LeBron's dunk deflated the Celtics' morale. On their next possession, their movements were noticeably slower, and their plays lacked crisp execution.

Jay seized the moment. With a flash of speed, he intercepted a lazy pass. The Pickpocket badge activated.

Charging down the court, Jay pulled up for a transition three-pointer.

Swish!

Jay raised three fingers in celebration.

LeBron's electrifying dunk, followed by Jay's clutch three, sapped the Celtics' spirit entirely. They limped to the end of the third quarter, saved only by the buzzer.

As the fourth quarter began, Jay remained on the court, brimming with confidence.

It's time to shine, he thought. After all, the Closer badge wasn't just for decoration.

If Jay was an ordinary starter for the first three quarters, he transformed into an All-Star-caliber player in the fourth.

But things didn't go entirely as Jay hoped.

The Celtics, refusing to back down, clawed their way back into the game. With the score tightening, Kyrie Irving grew hesitant to trust anyone other than LeBron or Love.

Jay received only two passes from LeBron during this stretch, both of which he converted into three-pointers.

With two minutes left, LeBron pulled Irving aside during a timeout, seemingly giving him some advice.

Returning to the court, Irving played like a true point guard, running the offense and distributing the ball.

Jay benefited from two passes from Kyrie, sinking a mid-range jumper and finishing a layup.

Jay went 4-for-4 in the final quarter, scoring 10 points and solidifying his reputation as a clutch player.

The Cavaliers ultimately defeated the Celtics 123–110, extending their winning streak to seven games.

Jay finished the night with 25 points, including 5-for-8 shooting from three, along with 3 assists and 2 rebounds—a stat line that resembled an All-Star's performance.

LeBron had 31 points and 10 assists, collecting another double-double.

Kyrie added 20 points and 5 assists, while Kevin Love contributed 12 points and 15 rebounds.

On the other side, Rondo's frustration grew. Watching the Cavaliers' cohesive play, he felt increasingly out of place in Boston. The Celtics had already drafted Marcus Smart as his heir apparent, making Rondo's departure seem inevitable.

After the game, Jay faced another media scrum.

This time, he was much more prepared.

He praised the Big Three extensively, gave credit to his teammates, and avoided any comments that could be twisted into controversy.

Leaving the interview area, Jay noticed the disappointed expressions on the reporters' faces. Nice try, fellas, he thought smugly.

With the Celtics game behind them, the Cavaliers rushed back to Cleveland to prepare for the Atlanta Hawks the following day.

On November 16th, the Cavaliers hosted the Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena.

This season's Hawks were a formidable team, boasting strong interior players in Paul Millsap and Al Horford.

On the perimeter, the sharpshooting Kyle Korver demanded special attention—a task Jay was eager to take on.

Korver was a classic off-ball shooter: not particularly fast or physically imposing, but lethal when left open. For Jay, this was the perfect matchup.

The Cavaliers dominated the Hawks, winning 127–94.

Jay neutralized Korver entirely, holding him scoreless from three (0-for-3).

Jay's intense defensive effort limited his offensive contributions, as he scored just 11 points. However, he excelled in playmaking during his minutes at point guard, racking up 8 assists.

With the win, the Cavaliers improved to an 8–0 start, igniting excitement in Cleveland.

Local media began serenading LeBron with praise. In interviews, LeBron confidently declared, "We're heading in the right direction. This team has one goal: a championship."

After the game, LeBron hosted a team party at his house. Even Tyronn Lue joined in.

LeBron acted like a king holding court, laughing with teammates, patting backs, and building camaraderie.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the festivities—everyone except Kyrie Irving.

Jay noticed Kyrie's discomfort but chose not to intervene. This is a battle between the big dogs, Jay thought. No point getting involved.

Back home after the party, Jay lay in bed contemplating his future.

As his skills continued to improve with each badge and card, Jay knew he would eventually need to leave Cleveland to lead his own team.

But where would he go?

From a pragmatic standpoint, joining the Warriors would make the most sense. After all, winning a championship would unlock a Purple Badge.

But Golden State didn't need another guard. There was no chance Jay could displace the Splash Brothers.

"Ugh, this is giving me a headache. Forget it. Sleep first—tomorrow we face the Pelicans."

Jay shrugged off the thought, resolving to focus on the present. One step at a time, starting with securing this year's championship.