See how Knicks fans felt after winning their first historic NBA Finals since 1999
The Knicks finally have a ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, but their die-hard fans are definitely losing that ticket.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals.
On Tuesday, May 26, the Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, taking a 3-2 lead in the series.
This was by no means a clean game that showcased Oklahoma City’s abilities, but the Thunder adapted to San Antonio’s plan to use Victor Wembaneyama, who finished with a frustrating 20 points on 4-of-15 shooting.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all players with 32 points, but the Thunder had three different players score at least 20 points.
Here are the highlights from Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals between Thunder and Spurs.
Spurs need Victor Wembaneyama to be more proactive
And San Antonio needs him to do the paint job. Wenbanyama wandered along the boundary line too much and was unable to focus on attacking. Sure, Oklahoma City made a physical adjustment with Wenbang Yama, but his response to that was mostly to avoid low blocks.
In Game 5, Wenbanyama took just nine shots in the paint and made four of them. The Spurs had their best performance in this series when Wenbanyama’s presence in the paint opened up opportunities for the rest of the offense.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson was asked if there was more the team could do to get Wenbangyama healthy, and he said, “We’ll need to do that.” “He’s got to take more than 15 shots, including free throws. Yeah, he’s definitely going to have to score more than 20 points.”
Once Wenbanyama calms down, the rest of his teammates seem to calm down as well. San Antonio was lackluster throughout the game, and the only time the Spurs showed any fight was when he activated them during a heated huddle on the bench.
“I think it’s tough at times because they send so many bodies at him. I think he just wants to make the right play and he just wants to win,” Stephon Castle said of Wenbanyama. “But yeah, we need him to be aggressive because he’s our best player. And by him being aggressive, it’s going to give other guys a chance.”
Wembaneyama will need to be a catalyst for Spurs heading into the season.
Once the Thunder’s perimeter shots fall, they’re hard to beat
In Game 4, a 21-point loss to Oklahoma City, the Thunder shot just 6-of-33 (18.2%) from beyond the arc. On Tuesday night, the Thunder focused on efficiency from deep and didn’t force any looks. This time they fell.
Oklahoma City made 14-of-32 (43.8%) from beyond the arc. That was just two more 3-point conversions than the Spurs, but San Antonio had to attack the rim on 41 attempts to get there.
That goes for the entire offense, not just shot-making. This creates better space for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to attack the rim and allows role players more movement.
Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein provide solid minutes
And stability is all Oklahoma City needs.
The two combined for 28 points on 12-of-17 shooting (70.6%). They also cleaned the glass and scooped 26 rebounds, nine of which were on offense.
This was a good sign, especially for Holmgren, who had struggled to score in the series. In fact, the Thunder started the game poorly and missed some easy looks. However, Holmgren provided stability by converting all four of his shot attempts in the first quarter.
“He was really good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Chet has all the tools and everyone in our building and in our league knows that. He’s a hell of a player, and you’re going to go through ups and downs as a player. I don’t worry about Chet because I know how much he loves the game, how much he cares, how hard he works.”
The longer this series goes on, the better it will be for the Knicks.
The New York Knicks may end up being the underdogs in the NBA Finals, regardless of their opponent. Still, in at least one area they have a clear and decisive advantage.
By the end of May, the Knicks will have played just eight basketball games that month. New York entered a decisive Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a fully intact injury.
And now the Knicks have the luxury of scouting these two teams from home. All the while, the Spurs and Thunder are expending tremendous amounts of energy trying to win.
When asked where this series ranks among the list of physical series he has ever played, Holmgren replied, “This is the best of them.” “The last three series last year were all disasters, both teams just beating each other, and I would say we’re at that point again this time.”
The NBA season is tough. The players began preparing for this season when training camp began in late September. This extra rest will go a long way.
And if the series goes to seven, even better for the Knicks.
