Two Days Later – Practice FacilityKyle walked into the gym with a limp.

No one said anything at first.

But Smart noticed.

"You limping or you dancing?"

Kyle forced a grin.

"Little bit of both."

Truth was… his right knee felt on fire.

Physio Room – Truth HurtsThe team trainer, Alex, pulled up his MRI scan.

"We're not at tearing point yet, but the inflammation's real. You need rest, Kyle."

Kyle stayed silent.

"This is what ruins careers, man. You can't brute force this."

But Kyle already had it in his mind:

"Zion's in town next week. I'm not missing that game."

Alex sighed.

"You'll need to manage minutes. And we'll need to keep it quiet."

Kyle nodded.

Next Game – Celtics vs. Raptors (BLOWOUT)Final Score: Celtics 119, Raptors 85

Kyle only played 17 minutes.

Let his teammates cook.

Jaylen Brown exploded for 35 points, dunking everything in sight.

Payton Pritchard ran the offense smoothly.

Kristaps Porziņģis knocked down open threes.

The team flowed.

Ime gave Kyle a nod midgame.

"This is how you last. Learn when to sit and watch."

Kyle iced his knee, nodding.

In the Locker RoomThe team was loud.

Marcus Smart was yelling across the room:

"EVERYONE WHO SCORED DOUBLE DIGITS, TAKE A BOW!"

Kyle clapped along.

It wasn't always about him.

Tonight, it wasn't supposed to be.

He limped out quietly, but with a full heart.

Later – Film Session (Preparing for Zion)Ime had Zion's clips on repeat.

"This ain't just brute strength. His footwork's evolved. He's got touch now. And he's hungry."

Kyle watched Zion dunk over three people.

Porziņģis grunted.

"I'm not jumping with that."

Laughter.

Kyle turned serious.

"I want him."

Jayson raised an eyebrow.

"You sure? You're not even moving right."

Kyle:

"Doesn't matter."

Ime looked at him. Long pause.

"Fine. But this ain't about being a hero. It's about being ready. Get your brothers involved."

Celtics vs. Pelicans – The Collision CourseTD Garden – Sold Out Again.

Zion vs. Kyle—both hyped on ESPN all week.

First Quarter:

Zion came out MONSTER MODE.

13 points in 6 minutes

Dunked over Al Horford

Grabbed his own rebound over two defenders

Kyle tried to keep up, but he couldn't get lift.

First shot? Airball.

Next? Blocked.

The limp was getting worse.

Second Quarter – Team Steps UpKyle sat.

Ime made the adjustment:

Tatum took over the offense

Jrue Holiday put clamps on CJ McCollum

Porziņģis stretched the defense with pick-and-pops

The Celtics clawed back from a 14-point deficit to take the lead.

The bench unit—led by Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard—lit it up.

Hauser hit back-to-back threes.

Pritchard got a steal and finished in transition.

Kyle stood and clapped hard.

He was limping… but engaged.

Third Quarter – The ShiftKyle re-entered.

He didn't chase the highlight.

He played smart.

A dime to Brown in the corner

Backdoor cut for a quiet layup

Smart rotations on defense, even if he couldn't jump

The team was balanced.

The offense didn't revolve around Kyle—it flowed with him.

Zion kept charging.

But now? Kyle met him with positioning, not force.

Drew a charge.

Crowd roared.

Zion helped him up.

"You're limping."

"Still here though."

They fist-bumped.

Fourth Quarter – Victory in NumbersFinal Score: Celtics 108, Pelicans 95

Kyle's stat line:

11 points

6 assists

4 rebounds

2 charges drawn

1 loud block on Ingram

And 0 hero plays

Tatum dropped 27.

Porziņģis: 21 and 9.

Bench: 32 combined points.

The team was locked in.

Press ConferenceReporter:

"You were more passive today. Are you hurt?"

Kyle:

"I trust my team. They don't need me to drop 30 every night. Tonight was about Zion. About defense. About impact, not ego."

Reporter:

"Do you still feel like you're the face of the team?"

Kyle looked at Tatum and Brown, who sat beside him.

"We're a hydra. Cut one head off? Two more score 20."

They laughed.

Late Night – Ice and SilenceKyle sat alone in the cold tub, headphones in.

He texted Ari:

"We won. I'm limping worse than ever. But the team… they're shining. That's all I care about."

She replied:

"You're learning how to lead. Not just fight."

Kyle closed his eyes.

Even gods had limits.

But a good team? A good team could survive anything.

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