New York’s and San Antonio’s paths to this rematch of the 1999 Finals could not be different.
New York stormed through the East on a historic run: 11 straight wins, sweeping both the 76ers and Cavaliers, with 10 of those wins by at least 11 points. New York has a +262 point differential during the streak, the largest in any 11-game span in NBA history, regular season or playoffs. The one time the Knicks were really pushed in this run was Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when New York came from 22 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Atlanta in overtime. As a team, the Knicks are shooting 40% from 3 in the playoffs and the hot shooting is led by Landry Shamet off the bench, who is 18-of-24 from beyond the arc in the last eight games.
San Antonio was pushed much harder. First by Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves (a series the Spurs won in six games), then by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a bruising, high-level, physical and intense seven-game series. Victor Wembanyama carried the Spurs to a couple of wins in that series — Game 1 was a legendary effort with 41 points and 24 rebounds, with nine of those points in the second overtime.
HLs: Wemby puts on historic show in WCFs Game 1
Victor Wembanyama became the youngest player in history to post a 40-20 stat line in the Conference Finals, willing his San Antonio Spurs to victory in Game 1 against the defending champs.
However, in Game 7, it was a sign of the growth of the young Spurs that Wemby was good (22 points), but it was defense and a balanced attack — with six 3-pointers from Julian Champagnie — that got the win. The Spurs won Game 7 on the road against the defending champs and two-time MVP, which is a sign they have arrived.