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For most of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, New York Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson struggled with his shot.
After three quarters, Brunson shot 7-22 from the field. However, when it mattered the most, Brunson was at his best.
He scored 13 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter, on 5/9 shooting, and the Knicks would steal Game 1 on the road 105-95.
With the win, the Knicks have won 12 straight postseason games.
Game 2 is Friday night in San Antonio.
Brunson, who tweaked his knee and ankle in the first half, shot the ball 31 times, the most shots he’s had in a game in the playoffs this season, but he made only 12 field goals. However, despite the poor shooting, he remained confident.
“I think it starts with my confidence,” he said. “It comes with my work ethic. I think most importantly, knowing we’re on the road, and knowing my teammates have my back, I think that’s the biggest thing in an environment like this. The trust they have in me and the trust I have in them, it’s got us to this point. I mean, I’m very thankful for them every single night we go out there together.”
The Spurs led by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, but the Knicks kept coming, and, as they did in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when they trailed by 22 points in the fourth against the Cavs, they were able to get back in the game. Brunson discussed the mentality they needed to have to come back against the Spurs.
“It’s a position we obviously don’t want to be in, but it’s always a next-play mentality,” Brunson said. “We have to control the things that we can control, and our team is going to go on runs. Things are going to happen, and somehow we bounce back. We continue to find a way and just kind of keep chipping away. We knew one play was not going to bring us all the way back, but we just kept chipping away.”
Bottom Line:
Just like they did against the Cavs in Game 1 of the ECF, the Knicks stole Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Spurs.
The Knicks had a long layoff, which seemed to affect their play, but when you have a great player like Brunson, they find ways to get the job done even when they’re not at their best.
The ECF seemed over after Game 1, but the Spurs are not the Cavs, so this series is far from over.
Expect both teams to play better in Game 2, but the Spurs will be the more desperate team, which should help them win.