The aftermath of this match was significant.

Although Wei Guo was not seriously injured...

However, Kimura Takeru's punishment was still severe. His sumo wrestling move was extremely malicious, especially since he not only failed to protect Wei Guo when he threw him down, but instead pressed down on Wei Guo, causing Wei Guo's left arm to bend at a 90-degree angle.

The initial penalty was a flagrant foul 2, resulting in a three-game suspension. However, after mediation by the Suns, the penalty was increased to a 50-game suspension and a fine of $360,000.

It is said that...

The Spurs were unwilling to cover the fine for Takeru Kimura.

So, after two years of being a benchwarmer in the league, earning a meager salary, and having only $360,000 left after deducting rent and utilities, Kimura Takeru used all his savings to pay the fine.

Needless to say, what followed was even more surprising!

Already a marginalized player, Kimura Takeru was even less willing to join any team after offending Wei Guo. With his contract expiring this summer, he slunk back to Japan and became a low-budget film actor there. Cummings had seen several of his works and was always curious why Kimura Takeru, who was so large, was so small.

......

Stoudemire was also punished by the league.

Everyone understood his impulsiveness...

However, Stoudemire was the one who initiated the assault on the player, and was suspended for four games and fined $100,000 by the league.

$100,000 isn't a lot...

Without Wei Guo even having to lift a finger, the fans crowdfunded and paid the fine.

This outcome also tells the Spurs that the next four games are crucial if they want to win the Western Conference Finals. If the Suns hold on until Game 6, even if the Spurs lead 3-2, they could very well be overturned.

......

The next morning, Cummings, disguised, came to the stadium again.

But...

He waited all day, but the Spurs never showed up.

After making inquiries from various sources, it was learned that the Spurs flew back to San Antonio after the game that night, presumably because Kimura Takeru's malicious foul angered Phoenix fans, and they were worried about personal danger if they stayed in Phoenix.

This left Cummings extremely disappointed.

......

On the third night, Stoudemire stayed at home.

Beer bottles were scattered around the sofa...

This was Stoudemire's first playoff appearance, but he could only watch his teammates play from home via live stream, which left him feeling disappointed.

......

Starting lineup for this match:

Spurs: Parker, Ginobili, Bowen, Duncan, Muhammad

Phoenix Suns: Nash, Joe Johnson, Richardson, Marion, Weiguo

......

Losing Stoudemire has had a significant impact on the Suns.

Stoudemire is the Suns' second-leading scorer, and his presence on the court can alleviate the offensive pressure on Wei Guo.

at the same time...

Wei Guo can also play the number 3 position, which he is most familiar with.

Now...

Wei Guo can only return to the number 5 position.

The Spurs lost the last game because some players felt guilty towards Wei Guo, and Wei Guo's sudden return disrupted the Spurs' rhythm, which is why the Suns were able to come back and win.

They adjusted very quickly...

The league's punishment of Takeru Kimura has left the Spurs with no sense of guilt, and they are very confident against the Suns, who are missing a key player.

"Beep!!!"

The game began with the sound of the whistle.

Wei Guo and Muhammad jump for the ball!

Nash got the basketball, quickly dribbled it across the midcourt, and passed it to Wei Guo in the paint. After Olajuwon, Wei Guo, who used the Dream Shake best, faced Muhammad but used the most brutal method.

He smashed through Muhammad's path, like a spring up from dry land!

"Bang!!!"

A Shaq-style two-handed dunk.

2-0!!!

The Suns scored first.

......

Popovich had said before the game that after losing Stoudemire, Wei Guo would return to the center position, and his offensive power under the basket would be even greater than that of O'Neal. The Suns would abandon their run-and-gun offense and switch to half-court offense.

The Spurs need to deal with the Suns the way they dealt with the 'OK combination' back in the day.

The playoffs are a battle between teams, and it's difficult for one or two players to determine the outcome. Compared to the experienced Spurs, the Suns are just playoff newbies. This team failed to make the playoffs in previous seasons, and the only players with playoff experience on the team are Nash, Weiguo, and Cummings.

The only players with extensive experience in the Finals are Wei Guo and Cummings, but Cummings rarely plays.

Fortunately...

The Suns also have a seasoned head coach, Gentry.

The Western Conference Finals were also a battle between Gentry and Popovich... Gentry was still a bit inexperienced compared to Popovich, because Popovich was right. After Wei Guo switched to the center position, the Suns indeed abandoned their run-and-gun offense and switched to a half-court game. The fact that Gentry became the coach on the sidelines proves this point.

When Gentry proposed switching to positional warfare, Wei Guo did not object.

......

The Spurs are on offense, and the Suns players are in position, ready for action.

Nash defended Parker... Parker's drives were clean and efficient without any fancy moves... and his quick start made him very difficult to defend. Following Wei Guo's advice, Nash gave Parker half a step when defending him, which weakened Parker's speed advantage.

Richardson, always eager for drama, shouted, "Let him shoot! He has no basket!"

Saying that on a basketball court will easily get you beaten up...

Parker was annoyed. "They look down on me...do they really think I can't make shots?"

Donbble, pull up and shoot a jump shot!

"bang~~~"

The basketball bounced off the rim.

Compared to his sharp drives, Parker's mid-range and long-range shooting is indeed lacking. However, if he can't get past Nash in one step and drive into the paint close to Nash, he will be met with a block from Wei Guo.

Duncan and Muhammad were blocking Wei Guo's path.

but...

The basketball bounced too high, and all three jumped at the same time. Wei Guo used his speed and height and wingspan advantage to grab the rebound.

......

tNt live stream room.

John Xin: "Wei Guo's rebounding speed is terrifying. Even when Duncan and Muhammad were blocking him, he still managed to grab the rebound."

Barkley: "You're wrong... Wei Guo's positioning is top-notch in the league. He anticipated where the ball would land, which is why he was able to easily grab the rebound."

Johnson: "It can't be that amazing!"

Barkley: "There's an old Chinese saying: 'Experts see the details, laymen see the spectacle.' You're the layman who sees the spectacle."

Johnson: "Come on, I was a professional basketball player too."

Barkley, "a professional basketball player with no accolades and an average of less than 10 points per game?"

Johnson, “…”

......

Johnson didn't want to argue with Barkley; that guy was a die-hard fan of Wei Guo, and in his mind... Wei Guo was invincible.

Just a die-hard fan...

Johnson thought to himself that even if Wei Guo asked Barkley to offer up his big ass, Barkley wouldn't hesitate for a second.