Date: June 19, 2021

Location: TD Garden, Boston

Event: NBA Finals Game 3 — Celtics lead series 2–1

6:45 PM – Loading Dock, TD GardenKyle Wilson limped onto the home court once more in streetwear and warmups, his injured leg encased in a lightweight brace disguised under joggers. The bullpen gate creaked as he stepped onto the hardwood, boots clicking on polished maple. He traced the three‑point arc with his eyes, remembering the night he scored 52—it felt worlds ago now.

Between Chicago's skyline and the TD Garden rafters, the city had shifted. The energy was electric, ripe with expectation. Tonight was the Battle of the North Atlantic: Celtics home floor, prime time finals basketball, and Boston fans screaming at full volume.

But Kyle felt no roar. He felt purpose.

Pre‑Game ShowtimeThe pre-game ceremony rolled out with dancers, music, and spotlights. Celtics players warmed up with familiar rhythm. Tatum caught laser passes… Brown dominated the glass… Smart chased offensive rebounds like a man on a mission.

Kyle sat courtside behind the bench—this time with a new role. Clipboard in one hand. Tablet in the other. Headset ready for his voice to echo across the coaching table.

The team filed into huddle five minutes before tip:

Coach Udoka looked around.

"Kyle made the adjustment that won Game 2. Let's make sure we reward that effort, on and off the court."

Tatum nodded, Jaylen cracked his knuckles. Looking up, they saw Kyle with the notepad.

First Quarter — The Garden Roars to LifeBoston came out like they wanted to shake off memories of Game 1.

Sirens of offense:

– White intercepted Holiday on the first Suns possession.

– Tatum ran a backdoor cut off the set Kyle sketched for Game 3. He slammed it in and pulled away in celebration.

In Kyle's headset, Assistant Coach Daly said:

"Momentum's ours. Keep their wings on switches late."

Kyle tapped on, laying out screen patterns, defensive alignments, coverage reminders. He didn't speak, but they heard.

By the end of the top frame:

Celtics up 30–24.

Half-Time — Celtics Locker RoomBoston led 59–53.

Energy shifted from caution to storm.

Kyle was seated on a table—leg elevated, but wired.

Coach Udoka paced in front of a whiteboard.

"Phoenix is unbeaten in elimination games this year. Tonight ain't about being clean—it's about being our best selves." He paused, then pointed at Kyle. "Brooklyn might get the history. But this kid? He's writing his own chapter."

Kyle swallowed.

Then quietly said:

"They're ignoring rotations to double Giannis. Leave Middleton trailing weakside. Slips off him now—kick to corner. Cam Johnson wants the duck-in. We tag him right away, recover to the corner."

Tatum scribbled the diagram.

Murmur of agreement.

Then Coach placed a hand on Kyle's shoulder.

"Whether you play or not… you're Celtics now."

Second Quarter — Chess Match IntensifiesMidway through Q2, Booker got hot. Two back‑to‑back pull‑up threes. Suddenly Phoenix regained the lead, 66–64.

Kyle stood beside the broadcast table, watching the pattern.

He leaned over to the front row's analytics staff:

"Phoenix inbounds off a zig‑zag set. Holiday walks it up to Giannis in the post. They loop the weakside action into a double drag. Whites are late. White and Tatum need to switch there."

Udoka drew the staff's attention.

Next inbounds—

Kyle's call came true.

White switched. Tatum recovered. Booker had to pop. He bricked. Loose-ball scramble saw Rob Williams clean it.

The bench roared. That was the moment they snapped the Suns' rhythm.

By halftime contested, every pass out of timeouts looked different. Because Kyle was involved.

Third Quarter — SurgeBoston opened with 12–3 run.

Tatum exploded out of the break. Smart bullied Deron Wright for a floater. Jaylen soared for a putback jam.

The Garden was alive again.

Kyle sat among the coaches. No headset needed. They instinctively ran Kyle's patterns.

Holiday had five straight turnovers. Suns stagnant.

All while Phoenix's bench looked lost.

End of Third: Boston 89 – Phoenix 78

Fourth Quarter — Sealing ItBy the fourth, fatigue set in on both sides.

Phoenix committed five consecutive shot clock violations. Boston's energy never dropped.

At 4:08 remaining, Celtics up 12, Suns inbound.

Tatum intercepted on Phoenix's weakside. Smart led the break and tossed over to Horford for a coast‑to‑coast dunk.

Kyle squeezed his hands together.

When Booker drove and kicked to Johnson…

Smart yelled: "Tag him!"

Williams did. Baynes cleaned up the missed pass.

The buzzer sounded across the arena.

Final Score: Boston 113 – Phoenix 98

Celtics lead series 2–1

Postgame – From the SkyboxFrom high above in the box, Kyle paced.

Ari texted him:

You're not just watching. You're alive. You're needed.

He looked down at the court as confetti fell.

Players mobbed Tatum. Jaylen hoisted the banner. Fans chanted chants like it was their birthright.

And somewhere in Kyle's gut?

A pulse.

Tension Behind Closed DoorsBack at the suite, exhausted and iced, Kyle met Coach Udoka in private.

"Game 3 was clean. This one felt tighter."

Coach nodded. "That's you. That mind of yours."

Kyle sighed. "My leg still hurts. My ankle's swollen again."

Udoka placed a reassuring hand. "Rest until Game 4. You'll need it."

"But I gotta be ready."

Coach squeezed his shoulder. "And you will be, boy."

Late Night – Kyle's RoomAri hovered in the doorway. Kyle had his father's journal open beside the photo of him in Derrick's old jersey.

She called him silent.

He pointed.

"'Make the game yours. Not theirs.' I just felt it tonight, Ari."

Tears glistened in her eyes.

"He would be proud."

Kyle closed his eyes.

"You made me okay with being this version of me."

Ari moved to him, and he whispered:

"This is just the beginning."

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