The New York Knicks sealed a momentous victory Friday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and, in a tight finish in which Frenchman Victor Wembanyama spoiled his big second half, triumphed 105-104 to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals and move within two wins of a ring.
The Spurs nearly came back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth period, but succumbed in the final seconds when Jalen Brunson (20 points) scored the free throw for the 105-104 final and Victor Wembanyama missed the last shot for the Texans.
The mistake that changed Spurs’ destiny
‘Wemby’ scored 22 of his 29 points (9 rebounds and 4 blocks) in the second half.
But in the final seconds he went from hero to villain, with a turnover and foul that sent Brunson to the free throw line for the decisive basket.
The 22-year-old Frenchman, in his first Finals, courageously took the last shot, but missed it.
The game ended amid chants of ‘Let’s go Knicks’ in San Antonio and unleashed the New York party.
With the next two games to be played on Monday and Wednesday at a packed Madison Square Garden.
In which U.S. President Donald Trump is also expected to be present (Filed under: New York Knicks are close to the NBA ring).
New York hit with a choral performance
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Dominican Karl Anthony Towns had a double-double of 21 and 13 rebounds.
Jalen Brunson added 20 points, five rebounds and six assists and Mikal Bridges also chipped in 20 points for the Knicks.
Landry Shamet also came up big with 13 points off the bench.
For the Spurs, it was a traumatic setback that leaves them on the brink in their first Finals in 12 years.
A spectacular 14-0 run in the fourth period was not enough to avoid defeat.
De’Aaron Fox scored 20 points for San Antonio.
Dylan Harper scored 15 and Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle did not go over 14 apiece (Filed under: New York Knicks are on the verge of an NBA ring).
Towns shows the way
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The Spurs were called to react after Wednesday’s loss and they took the court with clear ideas.
Attentive in decision making, strong in shooting and aggressive in defense.
They shot 65% in the first half and led by as many as 12 points at 37-25, but went from strength to strength.
The Knicks started poorly, but settled down and came back with an extraordinary Towns.
The Dominican, who had scored 18 points in the first game, had already scored 17 at halftime.
The series moves to New York
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He changed the momentum of the match and his spectacular performance clashed with that of a lost Wembanyama.
He took only four shots, scoring two, and committed some serious turnovers that the Knicks took advantage of to take a four-point lead at halftime (56-52).
Even though their first lead only came at the end of the second quarter, the score left the Spurs very hurt.
The Knicks already had three players in double figures.
In addition to Towns, Mikal Bridges had eleven after his four-of-five shooting and Jalen Brunson, ten (Filed under: New York Knicks close in on NBA ring).
Spurs pride
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The Spurs had a tough time, but did not throw in the towel.
Wembanyama showed his pride and scored 12 points in the third quarter, shooting five of eight.
The Spurs cut it to 72-76 and gave themselves a chance.
Although the Knicks, with nine points from Bridges who scored all four of his shots, managed to take a nine-point lead into the final segment.
Landry Shamet hit a buzzer-beater for the Knicks with the plus-12 triple to open the quarter and the Spurs answered with a 7-0 run, paced by an already up-tempo Wembanyama.
A vibrant, high-tension end to the game opened up.
In which sparks flew between Fox and Brunson after a very physical and aggressive defense by the former (Filed as: New York Knicks close in on NBA ring).
An epic comeback that ended in pain
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The Spurs had lost it when McBride connected on a devastating three-pointer and OG Anunoby, with a dunk, made it 97-83.
But their response was an incredible 14-0 run in three minutes that brought the crowd completely back into the game.
Wembanyama’s powerful tip-in gave the Spurs their first lead of the second half at 104-102 with 57 seconds to play.
But the Frenchman paid for his lack of experience in the final outcome.
He grabbed the rebound that would give the Spurs the last shot with the score tied, but missed the pass.
And, after Brunson’s recovery, he knocked down his opponent by sending him to the free throw line.
The one-of-two from the former Dallas Mavericks had the Spurs owning their destiny, but Wemby’s final shot was repelled by the rim.
The Knicks took a huge victory to begin to taste glory in the NBA (Filed under: New York Knicks are on the verge of an NBA ring).
With information from EFE
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