Madison Square Garden had been dreaming of a party. The San Antonio Spurs had other plans.
In front of a sell-out crowd that expected to watch their team march to the brink of a first championship in fifty years, the Spurs delivered when it mattered most.
San Antonio put in one of the great road performances in recent Finals memory – stunning the Knicks, silencing the Garden and sending New York’s celebrations firmly back to the drawing board.
The Spurs drew first blood, racing into a 33-22 lead after the first quarter with French superstar Victor Wembanyama immediately imposing himself on proceedings.
But New York hit back – spectacularly. A 42-24 second quarter, driven by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby flipped the scoreboard and had MSG believing again.
The Knicks led 64-57 at half-time. The party, briefly, was back on.
The Spurs, though, are not a team that folds. Not with Wembanyama. Not with Stephon Castle. Not with De’Aaron Fox lurking.
The third quarter was San Antonio at their very best. Wembanyama, quietened in the second, came roaring back and led from the front as the Spurs took control.
Castle was equally devastating during a 35-27 Spurs third period that flipped the lead back to San Antonio. Heading into the final quarter, the Spurs led 92-91 – one point between these teams and an entire city holding its breath.
More to follow…
