Game 1 Recap: Spurs vs. Knicks
There’s something captivating about the Spurs, isn’t there? Perhaps it’s the intriguing contrast between their towering star and one of the league’s shorter players. Both have become household names, and they both had their moments in Wednesday night’s playoff opener. I mean, if we’re giving out credit, I wouldn’t mind claiming a bit for my Knicks coverage, and yeah, I may have underestimated the under, but let’s keep trying.
Reflecting on the NBA Cup, this matchup felt familiar. For the majority of the game, the Spurs held the upper hand, yet the Knicks managed to rally in the final moments. Sure, San Antonio may be feeling the fatigue from a grueling series against the Thunder, but, honestly, it’s not going to make them any more refreshed. Sometimes, youth can be an advantage, making it easier to push through those tough finishes.
In those critical stretches, when Jalen Brunson heats up, he’s a force to reckon with. I’ve said before that I don’t see him quite at the level of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but if he keeps draining shots like he did during the closing minutes of Game 1, I might have to reconsider. The first half? Classic Spurs, thanks in part to the home crowd. But when tired legs show up after a series, the second half often tells a different tale.
New York rallied in the latter half. At one point in the fourth quarter, they found themselves down by 14 points, but, surprisingly, they turned it around. The Knicks dominated that quarter, tying the game after a strong push. OG Anunoby came through, scoring eight straight while Brunson took a brief breather. And then Brunson returned to the court, leading his team to a remarkable 11-point scoring streak.
The Spurs took a brief lead with two minutes remaining, but Brunson’s three-pointer ignited an impressive 11-0 finish for New York. As for the Spurs, what kind of adjustments can they make for next time? Their shooting wasn’t up to par—36% overall and 26% from beyond the arc. I have respect for the way the Knicks defend, but there’s a clear need for the Spurs to take more shots. They did well on the boards but struggled to keep control of the ball.
Going forward, the Spurs will likely try to force the Knicks into tough situations, especially involving Victor Wembanyama. Ideally, they should focus on getting him positioned in the paint rather than relying on outside shots where he shot just 30%. He might not have had a stellar shooting night, but he still managed to be impactful. The same can be said for Brunson. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Spurs adopt an “anyone but him” philosophy moving forward.
If allowing Wembanyama to shoot from the arc helps the cause, I suppose the Spurs will take that risk. I’m backing the Spurs for the next game. I’m anticipating a comeback. The Knicks are looking sharp, but the Spurs know they missed an opportunity to win this one. Call it a zigzag approach, but I’m siding with San Antonio at -5.5, and I think we’ll see a more dynamic scoring game as both teams adjust to each other after Game 1.
