Two days later, the fourth game of the Western Conference Finals continued at the Staples Center.

On the night of the game, the drastically different mindsets of the Lakers and Warriors determined the eventual outcome.

With a three-to-zero lead in the series...

The relatively relaxed Warriors players were noticeably more carefree in both ball handling and tactical execution compared to before.

Meanwhile, the Lakers, unwilling to be eliminated just like that, maintained a desperate stance.

Thus, 104 to 123.

The Lakers, defending their home court, successfully pulled one back.

Unfortunately...

This victory ultimately came too late.

Because hoping to overturn the Warriors in four consecutive games in a series is as unlikely as hoping India's self-developed fighter jet can defeat the Three-Body People.

A day later, back at Oracle Arena.

Play a song for this Lakers team led by Kobe: Jay Chou's "Far Away."

In stark contrast with their mental state in Game Four, the Warriors ended this Western Conference Finals with a four-to-one score.

After the game, with his jersey in his mouth...

In recent years, Kobe, always active on the front lines against the Warriors, walked back through the player tunnel with a silhouette carrying three parts of disappointment, three parts desolation, three parts regret, and one part sadness, instantly bringing tears to countless Kobe fans.

Will Kobe, turning thirty-five next season, still have a chance to seize the championship?

At this moment, no one knows the answer to that question.

But as Kobe's sworn rival, Qin Yue feels...

Because the stronger lineup allowed Kobe to endure much less wear and tear in the regular season compared to the same period in history, he is likely to enjoy a healthier career.

"I remember you once said you hope Kobe's peak period can last as long as possible." In the Warriors locker room, Brown suddenly remarked, turning his gaze to Qin Yue.

Hearing this, Qin Yue nodded, "That's right."

After a brief pause, Qin Yue added, "Because I always feel I haven't truly defeated him yet."

Brown shook his head, "Kobe won't ever concede. Even if you beat him ten thousand times, he'll still tell you on the ten-thousand-and-first time, 'Come on, let's keep fighting.'"

Qin Yue laughed, "That's why each victory over Kobe gives me a unique sense of satisfaction."

In the NBA, there are always players who show you through their actions what it means to never lose pride.

Maybe, Kobe was never the strongest player in the NBA.

But his innate defiance always made him stand out among his contemporaries.

It's also worth mentioning that on this night, Paul, similarly rebellious by nature, kept "fighting" until the very end of the game.

In the handshake line before returning to the locker room, Paul stealthily jabbed Qin Yue's "knee" with a Cannon Fist.

Moreover, he didn't give Qin Yue a chance to retaliate.

After his sneaky attack, Paul quickly disappeared down the player tunnel.

"You and Chris really have a good relationship."

Watching the Wake Forest twin stars, still in high spirits "playing around" after the game, Brown couldn't help but comment.

To this, Qin Yue could only grit his teeth and say, "Yes, Chris and I have a really good relationship!"

The love-hate dynamic between Qin Yue and Paul has been a staple since they entered the league together.

And with the Western Finals officially concluded...

The Warriors, earning finals tickets for the fourth consecutive year, can now relax and enjoy the Eastern Conference Finals next door.

In the first four games of the series, tied at two-to-two, the Heat and Knicks faced off in the much-anticipated Celestial King Mountain battle at Madison Square Garden on the night of the 24th. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Actually, if they hadn't squandered the second game with the Heat...

The Knicks, far stronger overall than the Heat, should have been leading three-to-one after the first four games.

Take this much-anticipated Celestial King Mountain game, for example.

With the Knicks on high alert upon returning home, they led the Heat by as much as 20 points in just the first three quarters.

This was a typical Celestial King Mountain battle that defied the world's expectations.

Because on the court, the game showed a clear one-sided situation.

Compared to last year's Knicks...

This year's Knicks, when they're not slacking off, display no weaknesses whatsoever.

Moreover, this Knicks team, which can create complementary effects on the court, continues to deepen their chemistry with each passing day.

In Qin Yue's opinion, if one must pick bones out of an egg...

Then the only weakness of this Knicks team might be their head coach, Mike D'Antoni.

As a coach with equally obvious strengths and weaknesses...

Since entering the playoffs, D'Antoni, who uses his starting five without expanding to six-player rotations, has become increasingly conservative in player rotations and has, at times, held back his players during crucial moments with decisions reminiscent of a CPU meltdown.

It's proven that in the NBA, not every coach has the ability to steer a galactic team properly.

Admittedly, today Mike D'Antoni is considered a great coach of his generation.

But whether compared to Ma Long or Carlisle, D'Antoni still falls a bit short.

Nevertheless, D'Antoni's shortcomings don't diminish the strength of this Knicks team.

In the sixth game of the Eastern Conference Finals, without giving the Heat any chance, the Knicks decisively defeated Miami, winning two consecutive games and securing a four-to-two victory to earn the other finals ticket.