Rez Ball

After defeating Bagley with a final score of 94-87, Mason gives Tre a massive hug as the team celebrates. Dallas praises Tre for hitting several shots in a row to close out the game. Minutes earlier, the team was down by five points, but Tre entered a zone where the game slowed down, and every shot he took swished through the net. In the locker room afterward, Kevin asks about the upcoming Bemidji versus Moorhead game. Mason declares that he wants revenge against Bemidji and expresses confidence that Tre can dominate either opponent.

The next morning, Dad praises Tre’s performance against Bagley, noting how his 31 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists show that he has become a special, all-around player. He mentions that a photo of Tre’s dunk appeared on the front page of the Bemidji newspaper. While sorting mail, Dad finds a letter for Tre from the University of Minnesota. Feeling pressured, Tre takes the letter to open it alone in Jaxon’s room, which he enters for the first time since his brother’s death.

Everything remains unchanged, and Tre finds a box in the closet containing childhood DC Comics memorabilia. Looking through the issues, including The Death of Superman, he reflects on the story of Superboy trying to fill Superman’s boots after his death, which parallels Tre’s struggle to live up to Jaxon’s legacy. He finds Jaxon’s old Superboy T-shirt and tries it on; it fits perfectly. Feeling closer to his brother, Tre opens the letter and discovers that it’s an official recruitment letter from the Gophers basketball program. He cries, wishing Jaxon were alive so he could thank him for his mentorship and belief in him.

At a pep rally, the tribal chairman announces that the tribal council and casino will close for the regional championship game and that they’ll provide charter buses for fans. Outside, the team boards a charter bus while signing autographs and taking selfies. The athletic director, Mr. Thomas, pulls Tre aside to praise him for initiating the team’s sobriety pact and tells him that he believes Tre’s team can beat Bemidji.

The regional championship game begins poorly. Bemidji knows every play that Red Lake runs, intercepting passes and building a lead. Fans taunt Tre from the stands. With 15 seconds left in the first half and Red Lake losing 40-54, Tre abandons the playbook and yells “Superboy,” a made-up play call that confuses everyone. He uses the confusion to drive to the basket and score a dunk at the buzzer. At halftime, trailing 42-54, Tre suggests that they abandon all set plays and switch to rez ball, the freestyle offense that they play back home. Coach and the team agree.

In the second half, Red Lake’s new style completely confuses Bemidji. The Warriors score on flashy plays, forcing a timeout. By the end of the third quarter, Red Lake leads 71-62. In the fourth quarter, Tre hits two three-pointers and executes a poster dunk over a defender while being fouled. He makes the free throw, dedicating the play to Jaxon. Red Lake maintains the lead and wins as the buzzer sounds. The team receives the Region 8 championship trophy and celebrates with their community. Tre realizes that they’re the first Indigenous team in Minnesota to make it to the state tournament.

After days of celebration on the reservation, Tre and his senior teammates sit in a Minneapolis hotel room, nervous about facing their first-round opponent: the undefeated Crestview Christian Academy, led by superstar Jacob Griffin, a seven-foot Duke commit. Mason turns on the local news, which previews the game by highlighting both Griffin and Tre, showing clips of Tre’s dunks and passes. The team is excited to see Tre featured. Dallas shows a video from his cousin inside Target Center, revealing that the lower level is already packed with Red Lake fans. Mike mentions that Indigenous people came from many other reservations to watch them play. Tre receives supportive texts from Wes, Khiana, and Nate, and in the crowd footage, he spots his parents, wearing their Playing for Jaxon shirts. Mason gives a speech reminding the team that their goal is to win the state championship, not just make it to the tournament, and suggests heading to the arena early to adjust to the lights.

The team walks across the street to Target Center, where the digital billboard displays a game promotion featuring images of both Jacob Griffin and Tre. A long line of Red Lake fans cheers as they approach the entrance. Inside, they’re led to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ official locker room, and Tre daydreams about making it to the NBA someday. Coach enters with burning sage and smudges each player. He then shows game tapes of Crestview, highlighting their main pick-and-roll play centered around Jacob Griffin. Coach explains that previous opponents made the mistake of consistently double-teaming Jacob, which is why Crestview has been so successful. He instructs his team to fake double-teams instead, committing only when he yells the code word migizi. Tre says a silent prayer to Jaxon, asking for his bravery and strength. Dallas notices that Tre’s hands are shaking and reassures him. In the final huddle, Mason dedicates the game to their “rez,” their families, and especially to Jaxon.

The state tournament game against Crestview begins nervously, as both teams miss shots and turn the ball over. Coach calls a timeout, telling the team to calm down and draw strength from their community in the stands. Jacob Griffin begins guarding Tre, who calls for an isolation play and scores a dunk over him. Jacob immediately responds with a fadeaway over Kevin. The two stars trade baskets throughout the first half. With seven seconds left, Tre is double-teamed and passes to Dallas, who hits a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give Red Lake a 50-49 halftime lead.

As the second half starts, Jacob intercepts a pass and dunks, and then hits three consecutive three-pointers, putting Crestview up 50-60. During a timeout, Mason encourages Tre, telling him that he’s just as good as Jacob. Tre responds by hitting two straight three-pointers, cutting the lead to four. Then, he gets a fast-break opportunity, scoring a dunk over Jacob while being fouled, completing the three-point play. The third quarter ends tied 72-72.

In the fourth quarter, Tre tells Kevin that he wants to guard Jacob. Tre plays tenacious defense, forcing a turnover that leads to a go-ahead dunk for Kevin. Red Lake leads 76-72 with four minutes left. On an offensive play, Tre drives for a layup and is fouled hard by Jacob with no call. He lands awkwardly on another player’s foot, feels a pop and crunch in his ankle, and falls to the floor, screaming in pain. Medical staff help him to the bench, suspecting a sprain or a break. With Tre sidelined, Crestview goes on a run, taking a 76-82 lead.

With 90 seconds left, Tre convinces Coach to sub him back in, reminding him that Jaxon did the same when his future was mentioned. Barely able to run, Tre hits a three-pointer from the corner, cutting the lead to 79-82. Dallas draws a crucial charging foul with 15 seconds left, giving Red Lake the ball back. Mason takes a three-pointer that rattles out, but Kevin bats the rebound backward. Dallas grabs it and passes to Tre, who hits a clutch game-tying three-pointer while being fouled with seconds remaining. He makes the free throw, putting Red Lake up 83-82 with two seconds left. Crestview inbounds the ball full-court to Jacob, who catches it, turns in midair, and hits a buzzer-beating fadeaway from beyond the three-point line. Crestview wins 85-83. The Red Lake players are devastated, but their fans continue to chant and cheer. Tre apologizes to Mason for failing, but Mason comforts him, saying it was a special, unforgettable ride.

Tre visits Khiana to say goodbye before she moves to Los Angeles. He apologizes for his past behavior, and she accepts. She asks about his ankle, and he says it’s still a bit sore but no longer swollen or bruised. She mentions that she and Wes cooled their relationship to prepare for her move. Tre, Wes, and Nate go to the mall to buy the new issue of Slam magazine. At the bookstore, a fan recognizes Tre and lets them cut to the front of the line. Sam, Tre’s crush, is working. Tre finds the magazine, which features a photo of his windmill dunk. The magazine sells out instantly, and fans ask Tre to sign their copies. Tre offers Sam one of his copies and signs it for her. Prompted by Nate, Tre asks Sam out on a date, and she accepts, giving him her social media handle.

After signing more magazines, the three friends head to the outdoor court near where Jaxon is buried. As they play 21 together, Tre feels Jaxon’s presence with them on the court. The story ends with the three friends playing rez ball.