Big 4th Quarter For Brunson In Game 1 Win
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
Wemby Takes The Blame In Game 1 Loss
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
For the second time in the post-season, the New York Knicks had to wait 9 days before they had to play their next series. It looked like rust would be a problem for the Knicks as they had to overcome a 22-points deficit in game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers before sweeping them. Captain and guard Jalen Brunson named the Eastern Conference Most Player. Then, New York had to wait another 9 days as the San Antonio Spurs and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs stunned OKC in game 7 on the road as center Victor Wembayama was named Western Conference Most Valuable Player. Both teams played 3 times in the regular with the Knicks winning twice including the NBA Cup in Las Vegas. Coming into the Finals, New York had won 11 playoff straight games. The last time the Spurs went to the Final was in 2014 when the beat the Miami Heat 4 games to 1. It was their 5th NBA title.
New York got off to a fast start taking an early 14-7 lead. The Spurs responded outscoring the Knicks 20-3 taking a 27-17 first quarter lead. Making matters worse, with 2:03 left, Knicks Brunson had his right knee rolled on by Spurs Harrison Barns and signaled to the bench to take him out. Brunson would spend the rest of the quarter in the locker-room but would return to the bench at the start of the second.
The Knicks began by outscoring the Spurs 13-10, cutting the lead to 37-32 with 5:52 left. New York ended the second quarter with a 1-point lead but San Antonio took a 7-point (55-48) lead at halftime.
Brunson led the Knicks with 11 points and Julia Champagnie led the Spurs with 15 connecting on 5 of 6, 3-pointers. Both teams struggled from downtown. New York missed 14, 3-point attempts while San Antonio took 24 making only 9. New York could not get to the free throw line as they were 2 of 3. Meanwhile, the Spurs took 12 free throws converting 10.
San Antonio came out on fire and at one point took a 14-point lead (65-51) as the Knicks offense continued to struggle. Before you know it, the New York offense woke up and they went on a 25-11 run to close out the third quarter and tied the score at 76. Said Brunson on the team’s comeback, “I think we know what we have to do. We’re a pretty together group. Be able to trust each other.”
The 4th quarter was everything an NBA Finals are all about. Neither team went up by more than 6 points. Wembayama gave the Spurs a 2-point lead (95-94) with 2:16 left. New York closed out the quarter on a 11-0 run in the 105-95 win. Brunson finished with 30 points. Center Karl-Anthony Towns added 18-points, 12 rebounds. Towns made Wembayama work hard for his 26 points. The Knicks defense held the Spurs to only 19 points in the final frame.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown had nothing but praise for Brunson. “Jalen was the MVP in the second half. He was huge for us. He did what MVP candidates are supposed to do. He got it done for us down the stretch.”
Wemby took the blame on his performance. “I’m going to figure it out. I was bad tonight. I think we let one go tonight.”
So, the New York Knicks look to take a commanding 2-0 lead when they face San Antonio Friday night.
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