The New York Knicks closed Game 1 of the NBA Finals on an 11-0 run to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95.
After the game, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson admitted he needs to make a change with Victor Wembanyama heading into the second game of the series. Johnson promised to get Wembanyama moving towards the basket more often in Game 2 after watching the Spurs star settle for nine 3-point attempts in Game 1.
“Felt like he missed a few shots early,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to get him moving in space and toward the rim, whether that’s on rolls or running in transition. But we need the pressure on the rim and the force in the paint. They did a good job obviously of being physical and showing crowds. We need to do a better job of establishing that early on, for sure.”
Wembanyama led the Spurs with 26 points but 12 of his 26 points came from the free throw line as he finished just 6 of 21 shooting on the night.
With his 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, Wembanyama became just the fourth player since blocks became official (1974) to achieve that line in their Finals debut joining 22-year-old joined Shaquille O’Neal (1995), Hakeem Olajuwon (1986) and Elvin Hayes (1975).
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