Knicks One Win From First Title in 53 Years as Spurs Face Elimination
The New York Knicks will try to close out the NBA Finals in Game 5 tonight, between Saturday and Sunday, in Texas. A win over the San Antonio Spurs would give New York its first championship in 53 years, and the team is trying to avoid getting swept up in the excitement after its dramatic 107-106 Game 4 victory.
Knicks star and captain Jalen Brunson, who led the team with 30 points and 7 assists in Game 4, said that being one win from a title changes nothing: “0:0.” Center Mitchell Robinson said the team must act as if every game is Game 1 until the job is finished. Coach Mike Brown said it is difficult not to relax after repeated wins, but that the staff must keep the players sharp. Karl-Anthony Towns, Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado all stressed that the group must enjoy the moment while quickly refocusing on the next game.
Brown also pointed to New York’s playoff path as proof of the team’s edge, noting closeout wins on the road in Atlanta in Game 6, Philadelphia in Game 4 and Cleveland in Game 4. He said San Antonio will be desperate, especially at home, and that New York must bring its best effort to have a chance. Towns added that the toughest win is always the one that ends another team’s season, so the Knicks need to be at their best.
The Spurs, meanwhile, enter Game 5 down 3-1 after the collapse in Game 4. They may also be without backup center Luke Kornet, which would increase the burden on 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama. De'Aaron Fox said the recent games showed San Antonio can win, Stephon Castle said the team must stay aggressive and composed, and coach Mitch Johnson said there are no tricks, only the need to address what has gone wrong. The Spurs reached the Finals after winning 62 regular-season games, overcoming deficits to eliminate the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the West finals, and returning to the title series for the first time since 2014. Wembanyama said the team must focus on one game at a time and not waste energy thinking ahead.
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