Chapter Five: The Twelve-Free-Throw Trap

Su hit twice, Zhao once, and even Lin—who never shot—made the first three-pointer of his formal career at the end of the third. He could not hear the explosion. He only saw everyone rise. Su ran to him and signed: One more. In the fourth, an Iron Harbor forward drove a shoulder into Han's left knee. Han fell, and all sound seemed to leave the gym. Lu rushed forward but stopped inside the boundary. He would not decide for Han. The doctor diagnosed only an impact. Han sat on the hardwood and saw the opposing center smirking at the line. Two years earlier, people had watched him carried away in the same manner. Every basket since had hung over an abyss. “Take me out,” he said. Lu nodded toward the table. Then Han caught his wrist. “Wait.”