Before the second match between the Spurs and the Warriors began, the league officially issued their penalty decision regarding the "heated brawl" from the first game of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Bruce Bowen, whose career is now over, was suspended for three games and fined fifty thousand US Dollars.

Little Deng Liwei, who broke Duncan's nose, was suspended for seven games and fined fifty thousand US Dollars.

Will Bynum, who kicked Parker, was suspended for three games and fined twenty-five thousand US Dollars.

Foyle, who attacked Horry's groin, was suspended for one game and fined fifteen thousand US Dollars.

As for Ron Artest, who tackled Popovich with the intention of protecting the opposing coach, the league issued only a verbal warning and fined him five thousand US Dollars as a punishment.

As for the players from both teams involved in the "heated brawl," they will attend a three-day league safety education course after the playoffs end.

Raising the bar high, but putting it down gently — David Stern used his penalty decision to once again prove why he has been able to remain unshaken at the helm of the league for many years.

Two days later, the second match between the two teams continued at Oracle Arena.

Duncan, wearing a specially made mask, intended to inquire about Qin Yue's recovery from injury before the match...

But noticing Qin Yue's eyes, burning like flames, Duncan eventually turned his gaze back to his team's half.

"Every great soul has suffered in hardship, but has never given up."

On TNT TV Station, Barkley dedicated a hymn of praise to Qin Yue, who appeared in consecutive closed games.

In the NBA, Qin Yue was never the first superstar to play consecutive closed games, and he won't be the last.

In January 2012, due to a severe wrist sprain, Kobe Bryant even went through a streak of closed games, scoring "40+" points in four consecutive matches.

According to the Lakers' team doctor afterward, Kobe, who should have undergone surgery, was forced to play dozens of closed games to ensure the Lakers made the playoffs.

And experiences like these, Kobe had many throughout his career.

Therefore, even though Barkley believed that Qin Yue should look to the future, since Qin Yue had already made his decision, Barkley naturally had only commendation for him.

After all, in the eighties and nineties, when players were never considered as people, which star with a bit of fame didn't experience consecutive closed games?

Barkley knew very well that at the time, let alone if the coach demanded it, even without the coach's request, players would actively apply to play closed and return to the court injured.

In the 94/95 season, due to a severe back injury that prevented normal movement, Barkley chose to play consecutive closed games for the last three games of the famous Game 7 battle against the Rockets, with his playing time being 43, 42, and 42 minutes respectively in those final three matches.

Rather die standing than lose lying down — this was a famous saying in the NBA in the nineties.

But...

In this journey of playing injured spared from the punishment of closed games due to the [Power] mission, Qin Yue's memory that should have died was awakened once again.

In the 12/13 season, due to an ankle sprain during the playoff first-round match against the Denver Nuggets, Stephen Curry, wearing the Warriors' number 30 jersey, had to undergo his career's first painkiller injection.

After which...

In the subsequent semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs, as Curry's injury could not fully heal, until his ankle injury somewhat eased, Curry had to play through consecutive closed games injured.

In this life, although the cause of injury differed from Curry's, Qin Yue, also wearing the Warriors' number 30 jersey, had to face the same opponent (Spurs) and play consecutive closed games.

However, compared to Kobe, Barkley, or Curry, Qin Yue was undoubtedly fortunate.

Because the [Power] mission allowed him to avoid the negative effects of playing consecutive closed games, meaning he only needed to endure the physical torment during this injured journey.

This kind of torment was not easy to bear.

After all, a painkiller injection doesn't mean it won't hurt after you get it.

It only guarantees that in the course of intense physical exertion, especially in NBA-level confrontations, you can lessen the pain due to your injury.

On the court, in the Warriors' first offensive play, using Murphy's coordination, Qin Yue, who settled into the low post, saw in a flash his senior who had turned into a "Masked Hero."

The next second, under Duncan's interference, inevitably affected by injury, Qin Yue missed a strong move to the basket, but the referee, Dick Bavetta, quickly blew his whistle for Qin Yue.

Duncan did not protest this call.

Because he indeed attempted to push.

But off the court, Popovich realized the great trouble after this call.

"Damn, Dick never called a foul on Tim for such defense before!" From the Spurs' bench, Popovich said with a furrowed brow.

No doubt, this was a reminder to the Spurs that due to their malicious fouls in the first game, Duncan would be temporarily stripped of his star calls.

For the Spurs, who built their defensive system with Duncan as the core, such a blow was something they were destined to be unable to endure.

Several plays later.

Baron Davis, determined to reduce Qin Yue's offensive pressure, drove into the paint successfully manufacturing the "Masked Hero" Duncan's personal second foul of the game.

Popovich did not protest this ruling from the main referee.

Not because he didn't want to protest.

But because from the previous penalty decision to the present call standards, everything reminded him...

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