Michael Jordan played through flu-like symptoms in the 1997 NBA Finals and had a performance to remember that would forever be known as the iconic "flu-game". 

Going further back in time, New York Knicks legend Willis Reed, hobbling from a muscle tear on his right thigh, surprisingly returned to the 1970 NBA Finals series, hitting two jumpers and provided tons of inspiration to the rest of his team.

And then there’s Ginebra’s very own version in Justin Brownlee.

Living up to the team’s Never-Say-Die mantra, he powered through a dislocated thumb – which, if not for the heavy tape wrapped around his shooting hand, would have his finger falling off – and led the Kings to series-tying 95-87 victory over TNT.

Just pure guts and sheer willpower.

Seeing all that pan out in the flesh just left seasoned coach Tim Cone in amusement as Brownlee still came away with the best player of the game honors even when the entire Ginebra bench was still unsure whether he could play just moments heading into the game.

“This guy came out and played 45-46 minutes and did what he did through all that pain. I really haven't seen anything that amazing in my career, in my 35-36 years, seeing a guy have that kind of injury and come back and be able to play at the kind of level he's played at,” Cone said of Brownlee.

As if he was not nursing a dislocated thumb, Brownlee even waxed hot in the opening frame, scoring 15 of his 23 points in a span where he also shot 6-of-7 from the field.

“I'll be absolutely honest. I thought, from what I saw and what I heard, that there was no way that Justin was going to play today. None,” revealed Cone as the Kings actually spent the day between Games 3 and 4 scouring for possible options to replace Brownlee.

Cone was thinking of ruling Brownlee out of the series up until the 36-year-old forward, himself, told that he’s ready to go after the team’s medical staff managed to stabilize the dislocated thumb.

“As soon as they got the thumb stable, I knew I could play. I think the only doubt I had was just if the thumb just keeps falling out of place and it's not stable,” said Brownlee.

With how Game 4 went and with the Kings very much in contention for the crown, Brownlee is expected to continue willing his way through the injury until the end of the series.

“That's secured in there right now, but the moment that tape comes out, there's no security at all. It just automatically falls out of the joint. It automatically dislocates. Again, that's painful. And that's what he went through tonight.,” added Cone.

“To get out there and play. Amazing."