In the second quarter, the winds shifted.
The Lakers' second unit had always been their weak link. The Grizzlies seized the opportunity, ramping up the intensity.
Mike Miller led the bench mob on an 8-0 run. The Lakers couldn't respond in time, and just like that, the lead was lost.
When Link and Kobe checked back in, neither could find their rhythm immediately.
Link attempted two perimeter shots in the quarter, but both clanked off the rim under tight defensive pressure. The team had to rely on Kobe driving into the paint and drawing fouls just to keep the score respectable.
At halftime, the Lakers found themselves trailing by five, 47-52.
Kobe had 16 points, but his efficiency was low. Link was 0-for-3 in the second quarter, putting up a goose egg.
The game had devolved into the kind of grinding slugfest the Grizzlies loved.
Staples Center was quiet, the mood heavy.
The atmosphere in the locker room was just as somber.
Kobe's eyes held a silent dissatisfaction. He could tell that, aside from Link, the rest of the team had slacked off during the offseason. Their conditioning and sharpness had clearly dipped.
Phil Jackson didn't say much. He emphasized ball movement and defensive rebounding, demanding they shoot with conviction.
Link wiped his face with a towel, not anxious about his second-quarter slump.
The effects of [Stamina Boost Lv3] kept his energy reserves high. Thousands upon thousands of practice shots didn't lie. He just needed to wait for his touch to return.
The second half began, and Kobe led by example.
First, he drilled a pull-up three over Mike Miller. Then, he picked a pocket and went coast-to-coast for a dunk. Five straight points to erase the deficit instantly.
The noise returned to Staples Center.
Under Kobe's leadership, the Lakers looked like a new team on both ends.
The Grizzlies adjusted quickly, starting to double-team Kobe.
However, they had no idea what was coming. A three-point feast was about to be served at Staples Center!
Third quarter, 9:35 mark.
Lakers ball. After a few swings, the ball found the left corner. No one was within two steps of Link.
No hesitation. Catch, jump, shoot.
With [Focused Shooter Lv3] active, his mechanics were as stable as a machine.
Swish! Three-pointer, good!
55-52. Lakers lead!
"Great shot! Link knocks down his first look of the second half!" Kenny Smith called out.
8:11 mark.
Kobe drove and kicked to Odom at the top of the key. Odom went into a dribble hand-off with Link, who was curling off a Bynum screen.
Mike Miller was a step slow on the recovery.
Link caught the ball, didn't need to adjust, and rose up.
Bang!
58-54!
"Another one! Six straight points! Link has found his stroke!" The announcer's voice rose an octave.
After a timeout, Link's hand was scorching hot, showing no signs of cooling down.
7:34 mark.
Lakers grabbed a defensive board. Kobe pushed the pace, drawing the attention of three defenders in transition. Just as the defense collapsed on him, he kicked it out to Link trailing on the right wing.
Link caught it a step behind the three-point line. He even had time to take a breath before letting it fly.
The ball traced a beautiful arc.
Nothing but net! 61-54!
"Oh my god! That's his third three! A transition triple off the dish from Kobe! He's unconscious!"
Staples Center was boiling over.
The Grizzlies' defense was visibly rattled, panic setting in.
6:19 mark. The Lakers ran Link's signature "Elevator" play.
Using a double screen from Odom and Bynum, Link popped out to the left wing at a 45-degree angle.
[Focused Shooter] and [Quick Release] fired simultaneously. The bonus effects kicked in!
Rudy Gay fought hard over the screens to contest. Link faded slightly in the air to avoid the block.
Swish! The fourth three-pointer!
That was his 12th point of the quarter!
70-58!
The moment the ball went in, Link landed, kept his follow-through for a split second, coolly glanced at the scoreboard, and sprinted back on defense. The whole sequence was incredibly fluid.
"The Prophet! Unbelievable! A fourth three! Link has blown this game wide open! Memphis's defense looks like a hologram to him!"
Kenny Smith slammed the broadcast table in excitement. Charles Barkley's eyes were wide, his first-half doubts completely forgotten.
The Grizzlies were in disarray. Their defensive communication had broken down completely.
4:02 mark.
Link ran a simple pick-and-roll with Odom at the top of the key. He got the switch onto the slower Gasol.
A realistic pump fake sent Gasol flying.
Facing an empty lane, Link took one hard dribble and exploded to the rim.
Taking off, he threw down a thunderous dunk.
BOOM!!!
The rim rattled violently.
Link's 14th point of the quarter!
The Grizzlies coach called another timeout.
The Lakers bench had gone completely insane, towels waving like flags. Staples Center was lit. The entire crowd was on its feet, the roar threatening to blow the roof off!
Back from the timeout.
The Grizzlies tried a full-court press to disrupt the rhythm. But the Lakers had all the momentum. crisp ball movement found open teammates under the basket.
At the 2:55 mark.
The Lakers set up the offense again. After swinging the ball around, it found Link in the right corner.
This time, both Gay and Miller closed out on him!
Link caught the ball and didn't pause for a microsecond. Rising up over the double contest!
The ball flew in an ultra-high arc.
Swish!!!
Link's fifth three-pointer!
80-62!
"OH MY GOD! That's five! Ladies and gentlemen, we are witnessing a three-point barrage!" The commentary booth had lost its collective mind.
Staples Center was in a state of delirium. Every time Link touched the ball, the crowd noise swelled like a tidal wave.
The Grizzlies players, on the other hand, looked shell-shocked. They were sleepwalking through the rest of the quarter.
By the end of the third, the Lakers carried a 17-point lead into the fourth.
Link had gone 5-for-5 from deep in the quarter, plus that monster dunk and two free throws.
19 points in a single quarter!
As he walked to the bench, every teammate rushed up to chest-bump him. Kobe put him in a headlock, screaming something into his ear, a look of pure joy on his face.
The chant "Prophet Link" echoed throughout the arena.
The fourth quarter was purely garbage time. The Grizzlies had no morale left and pulled their starters early. The Lakers soon followed suit.
When Link sat down on the bench, the applause and cheers lasted for a long time.
In the end, the Lakers crushed the Grizzlies 108-89, securing an opening night victory.
Kobe finished with 28 points and 7 assists, but the brightest star of the night was Link.
He played 31 minutes, shooting 10-of-16 from the field, 6-of-9 from three, and 3-of-4 from the line.
He finished with 29 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.
After the game, players exchanged hugs.
Link approached Pau Gasol. The Spaniard looked a bit dejected. He had posted a comprehensive stat line of 21 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks, but it wasn't enough to win.
"Congrats, Link. You played great," Gasol said graciously.
"You too, Pau. Your footwork inside is incredible," Link smiled.
according to history, this versatile big man would be traded to the Lakers next season. He would join forces with Kobe to reach three Finals and win two championships. But now, Link wondered how his presence might alter that timeline.
"Link, can you tell us what that third quarter felt like? what triggered that sudden explosion?" A reporter asked.
Link wiped the sweat still dripping from his face.
"I just tried to run to the open spots. My teammates trusted me and got me the ball. I was just lucky they went in!"
"You almost set a career-high, did you know that?"
"I wasn't thinking about that during the game. I was just focused on helping the team win," Link replied with his usual team-first attitude.
In the locker room, the atmosphere was electric.
Odom was making weird noises while mimicking Link's shooting form.
And this was just his first night as the starting small forward.
The chapter of the new season had opened with a bang.