It’s a bit hard to hold onto this feeling.
Monday night marked a rare sluggish performance for the Knicks, the first since late April. They had enjoyed a thrilling 13-game winning streak, leading New York City to an ecstatic 45 days of basketball bliss.
But that streak has come to an end.
The Knicks found themselves trailing early and simply couldn’t recover. Disappointment was unavoidable.
A hint of doubt had started to creep in, even if just a little.
Madison Square Garden was buzzing, more vibrant than even the Met Gala. With a celebrity lineup that included President Trump, it had every potential to be a celebration unlike any other seen in the arena or the city.
Unfortunately, the Spurs spoiled the party, handing the Knicks a 115-111 loss. This setback puts the Knicks’ Finals lead at 2-1, with the road team winning all three games so far.
Jalen Brunson hit a 3-pointer with just over 30 seconds left, narrowing the gap. Hope lingered that there might be a last-minute twist to the tale.
However, De’Aaron Fox quickly answered back, securing a five-point lead for the Spurs. Though OG Anunoby managed another 3-pointer to make it a two-point game with only 9.4 seconds remaining, Stephon Castle made two clutch free throws to regain a more comfortable lead for the Spurs.
To be honest, the Knicks didn’t play well enough to win. They delivered an outstanding second quarter, scoring 42 points—a new record for the Finals—but faltered badly in the remaining quarters, getting outscored by 22 points.
Victor Wembanyama had a standout game with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three blocks, clearly shifting his focus towards strong plays in the paint compared to earlier games.
Brunson struggled to find support in the fourth quarter. He scored 32 points himself but couldn’t rely on his teammates, who combined for only 18 points during that same span while he shot 11-of-25. Meanwhile, his teammates were a disappointing 1-of-16.
The Spurs were notably physical in their defense. At times, it felt like they were crossing the line. There were moments, like Wembanyama’s aggressive play in the first quarter, that raised eyebrows. Later, both Carter Bryant and Stephon Castle were relentless in vying for rebounds against him.
Brunson was clearly frustrated. After being shoved by Wembanyama, he retaliated with a punch during the intensity of the game.
It seemed like Brunson was pushing himself a bit too hard offensively, which might have led to some teammates being left out of the mix. His foul troubles and five turnovers compounded the issues.
Karl-Anthony Towns had been impressive in prior games but managed only 11 points this time, and he didn’t score at all in the fourth quarter. Mikal Bridges had an off night as well, posting just two points, not even hitting the scoreboard until late in the third.
Anunoby was a notable exception, contributing 28 points alongside Brunson’s efforts.
The Knicks’ perimeter defense crumbled, a significant factor contributing to Castle’s impressive 23-point performance. They also racked up 13 turnovers, many of which were unnecessary.
For a while, it felt like the Knicks had forgotten what it meant to lose. It almost seemed like they would never have a night like this again.
But now, it’s a series. The next question is how the Knicks will rebound from this.
