Knicks survive early scare as Brunson rallies for 30 in Game 1 win
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Point guard Jalen Brunson shook off a rough opening quarter and a pair of first-half knocks to lift the New York Knicks past the San Antonio Spurs, 105-95, in Wednesday’s NBA Finals opener at Madison Square Garden. The victory gives New York a 1-0 edge in the best-of-seven series.
Brunson misfired on six of his first seven shots, committed two turnovers and briefly headed to the locker room after taking a hit to his right knee late in the first period. Moments later, his ankle was stepped on. The injuries did not deter him; the All-Star finished with 30 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, reclaiming his role as the Knicks’ late-game closer.
Hall of Famer Walt Frazier compared Brunson’s grit and composure to franchise legends Willis Reed and himself. “He’s got the tenacity of Willis Reed and he’s got my cool,” Frazier told The Athletic. “Jalen kept struggling through it, and you could see he was hurting.”
Isiah Thomas, one of the few undersized guards to win an NBA title, said before tip-off that Brunson is capable of joining that exclusive club. “Jalen is absolutely good enough to win it all,” Thomas noted, citing Brunson’s championships in high school and college.
Hart fills the box score
Forward Josh Hart posted the kind of all-around stat line that has become his trademark. In 27 minutes he scored three points on 1-of-5 shooting but collected a game-high 15 rebounds, handed out six assists and swiped four steals. New York was plus-22 with Hart on the floor. “He just has a knack for doing things like that, and in crucial times as well,” Brunson said of his longtime teammate.
Shamet shines off the bench
Reserve wing Landry Shamet continued his late-postseason surge, logging 33 minutes—third-most on the team—and scoring 13 points while drawing praise from head coach Mike Brown for his defensive work. Shamet, out of the rotation earlier in the playoffs, is boosting his stock ahead of unrestricted free agency this summer.
Robinson returns quickly from hand surgery
Center Mitchell Robinson played 13 minutes less than a week after surgery to repair a fracture in his right hand’s fifth metacarpal. He contributed two points, six rebounds and one highlight lob dunk. “He was still a vertical threat,” Brown said. “Defensively, I thought he was pretty good as well.” Robinson declined to discuss how the injury occurred, telling reporters he was “here for basketball.”
The Finals resume Friday night with Game 2 in New York.
Source: Hoops Rumors
