SAN ANTONIO — Disappointment for Captain Clutch
It had been a while since Jalen Brunson had missed such an easy shot, seemingly even with his eyes closed, and this was a crucial moment. The Knicks star attempted a total of seven shots, including a potential game-winner with just 15 seconds left, but he missed that one too. This left the Spurs with the possibility to take the final shot in regulation of a tie game.
In a surprising twist, Victor Wembanyama’s pass bounced off Stephon Castle, and Brunson grabbed the ball, which then struck the Spurs’ big man, sending him to the free-throw line with 9.5 seconds remaining.
Despite a night full of shooting struggles—even if the Knicks had the chance to draft any player in NBA history—they still had confidence in Brunson at the line in this high-stakes moment.
Brunson stepped up under pressure, and the Knicks took the lead. However, his first free throw of the NBA Finals missed, dropping the Knicks into a tricky situation, perhaps even jeopardizing their chance to return home in the series.
In the end, the tension broke when Wembanyama failed to make a game-winning jumper in the dying seconds, resulting in a 105-104 victory for the Knicks. This win brought them closer to fulfilling a dream that’s been 53 years in the making.
Brunson finished the game with 20 points, though his shooting stats were less than stellar (7-of-25 overall, 2-of-8 from beyond the arc), along with six assists, five rebounds, and four turnovers.
“We had to remain calm in those tough moments,” Brunson reflected. “It speaks volumes about the character of this team. Not folding under pressure is crucial for winning games like this. At this point in the season, things will get ugly. It’s just how it is.”
Brunson’s shooting struggles carried over from Game 1, where he shot 12 of 31 but managed to secure 13 out of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, ultimately leading the Knicks to their first NBA Finals championship in 27 years. The Spurs exerted a lot of effort to contain him, playing tight defense and deploying double teams whenever they could.
In the fourth quarter, tensions ran high when De’Aaron Fox shoved Brunson and even threw a punch, prompting Brunson’s father, Rick, who is also a Knicks assistant coach, to yell across the court.
“We’re trying to make things as difficult as possible for him,” Fox commented. “I think he performed well in both games, hitting some crucial shots down the stretch. He’s a great player.”
As the Spurs made a comeback from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter, Brunson faced challenges, including a blocked attempt and consecutive missed 3-pointers.
Nevertheless, Brunson ultimately put the Knicks ahead with a reverse layup, and, with 39 seconds left, he landed a midrange jumper that tied the game.
Karl-Anthony Towns noted, “It was a tough shooting night for JB, but he hit those crucial free throws and secured the win for us.” He reminisced about Brunson’s incredible shots in the last game, saying, “I’ve seen Captain Clutch do his thing since I’ve been here…you can’t mess with No. 11.”
