History Belongs to New York: Knicks Finish Championship Run in San Antonio
Knicks in 5.
The New York Knicks are NBA Champions following their Gentlemen’s Sweep of the Spurs in Game 5 at the Frost Bank Center claiming the series 4 to 1.
In a series that will go down in the annals of NBA history, the Knicks were able to outlast the home team 94-90 to claim their first NBA title in 53 years. The Knicks improved to 4-0 in closeout games this season, winning them all on the road.
Spurs Control Early, Knicks Finish Strong
For the fifth straight game the Spurs lead by 10 points or more after the first quarter leading the Knicks 23-13 after the first stanza. Coming into Game 5 the Spurs had held the lead for 69% of the series but were unable to close out the Knicks in three of those games. Tonight was no different as the home team lead 84% of the game, leading by as many as 16 points.
As they’ve done time after time this postseason the Knicks were able to rally lead by their floor General, Captain Clutch Jalen Brunson.
Brunson Saves His Best for Last
Brunson; who was named Finals MVP, saved his best for last leading all scorers with 45 points, including 13-straight in the fourth quarter. The Knick Captain was 14-for-27 from the field and 4-for-7 from distance.
“I have no words,” Brunson said during the on-court celebration. “It’s everything I ever dreamed of.”
He set a Knicks record for points in a finals game surpassing the 38 by Willis Reed against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the 1970 series.
Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combined to score 27 points with 14 and 13 respectively. Hart also had 11 rebounds from the guard position for the Knicks. Game 3 hero OG Anunoby struggled offensively for the Knicks in the final game but finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
”We Weren’t Ready to Win an NBA Championship”
It was a rough series for the Spurs who found themselves on the wrong side of history following their 29-point collapse in Game 4. Game 5 had another NBA first as the Spurs became the first team in the play-by-play era, which started in the 1996-97 season, to lead five finals games by 10 points or more in first quarters.
“We weren’t ready to win an NBA championship,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “The better team won. We did a lot of good things, and we didn’t finish the job. That’s what it is.”
Harper Shines Despite Spurs Defeat
Rookie Dylan Harper scored 25 points off the bench to lead the Spurs. His 25 were more than the entire Knick bench. V-Dub, who looked exhausted, had 19 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocked shots in what was arguably his worst game of the series.
“This is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment,” Wembanyama said. “I can’t tell exactly what the lesson is, but we’re learning.”
