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00:00And on ABC.
00:10I have never seen anything like this in my life.
00:14Shot clock at five.
00:16Kevin Durant way outside.
00:19Delivers!
00:19A dazzling display from Kevin Durant.
00:24Iverson against Tyrell's little baseline ride.
00:26He backs up, he fires.
00:27He's got it again!
00:28He's way too good!
00:31There is real quick.
00:33Go ahead, turn around, shot in the air.
00:38He's just showing so much heart and determination.
00:41Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion.
00:45Here comes Willis, and the squad is going wild.
00:49What a play by A. Dowd.
00:52Pulls off jump shot.
00:53Let's go!
00:54Let's go!
00:55Our test, that's a three.
00:57Bang!
01:00Get ready for a basketball battle.
01:03Here comes Kobe.
01:05I just can't imagine one player being able to carry a team in a game that means so much.
01:11Michael, get traffic.
01:12Oh, they're on the right.
01:14They're on the right.
01:15Aaron, from downtown!
01:18Oh, my goodness.
01:20Oh, my goodness.
01:25Man, there's nothing like the NBA Finals.
01:28There's so many indelible moments, so many legendary performances, as we welcome you back to San Antonio, Texas, where Wednesday
01:36night, the Knicks edge the Spurs in a thrilling game one.
01:39And the Knicks now with an incredible 12 straight victories in these playoffs, and, of course, once again, led by
01:46the man they call Captain Clutch, Jalen Brunson.
01:49Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs, they were up 14 in the third, had a one-point lead with under two
01:54minutes to go, but couldn't finish it off.
01:56However, Victor Wimbenyama and the Spurs ready to show their resiliency once again, like they have all season long.
02:05And they'll get the chance tonight, packed house here at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
02:12And good evening, everyone.
02:14Along with Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler, Mike Green on hat, Lisa Saunders-Willis as well, welcome to Game 2
02:19of the NBA Finals.
02:20The key to any playoff series is putting the last game behind you, whether you win or you lose, and
02:26move on to the next.
02:27Both those teams have done that throughout this postseason, including the Knicks.
02:30Doesn't matter how many games they win, Richard, they've now won 12 in a row.
02:34They're never satisfied.
02:35Obviously, Brunson's the key, but for the Knicks, it's been strength in numbers.
02:39No, Brunson has been outstanding, but I will tell you this.
02:42Carl Anthony Towns played one of the most complete games of his playoff career.
02:46He was outstanding, using his body, moving his feet, forcing Wendy into tough shot after tough shot.
02:55What was most impressive about it is that he did this all night without fouling.
03:00And then on the offensive end, he did what he's done all postseason, creating shots for his teammates,
03:07creating open opportunities, not only for his teammates, but also for himself.
03:12So, that was what was most impressive about Carl Anthony Towns, and we have to talk about Josh Hart.
03:18Josh Hart put up a stat line that we have not seen since Larry Bird.
03:23And another road win for the Knicks.
03:24Time now for our Domino's pregame HQ.
03:27Well, the Spurs, they've been here before against Minnesota.
03:30They trailed the series against OKC twice.
03:32They trailed the series.
03:33Their response is some of the most dominant victories of the postseason.
03:36What's the response tonight?
03:38They have to find a flow and rhythm to their offense early in the game, and it starts with their
03:43best player.
03:44At no point in game one did Victor Wimbanyama find that.
03:48They made him play in traffic here early in the game, having to do too much off the dribble.
03:53You see the Knicks' swarming defense.
03:54The screening action for him, not effective because of how far out on the floor that he was pushed.
04:00And even in that situation, when he did get one body in front of him in an area, he likes
04:05it.
04:05The Knicks were able to seal him off, body him up, and make his night very difficult.
04:12Victor Wimbanyama knows it.
04:13He's going to be very aggressive at the start.
04:15And the Spurs strength in numbers as well.
04:17And that includes Dylan Harper, all of 20 years old.
04:21Youngest player in the finals.
04:22Nothing seems to rattle him.
04:24National Anthem starting lineup coming up next for game two.
04:30The NBA Finals are brought to you by the powerful backing of American Express and Disney and Pixar's Toy Story
04:385.
04:38This summer, the battle is on.
04:40It's Toys vs. Tech, only in theaters June 19th.
04:44This presentation of the NBA Finals will continue after this message.
04:49And a word from our ABA.
04:53During 2026, the NBA proudly celebrates America's 250th birthday.
04:59Through service and volunteerism, we honor the spirit, resilience, and unity that has shaped our nation for two and a
05:05half centuries.
05:06Presenting the colors tonight is the Veterans Memorial High School Junior ROTC.
05:13Tonight's National Anthem singer spent part of her childhood on San Antonio's Fort Sam Houston military base.
05:20Please welcome Dirty Blues artist, Kels.
05:23Oh, say, can you see by the dawn's early light
05:36What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
05:47Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
05:58Oh, the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
06:10And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air
06:21Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there
06:31Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner wave
06:42Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner wave
07:04Well, Spurs have had their best games in the playoffs when they trailed in a series, including second round
07:11They lose game one, win game two by 38 points
07:14Western Conference Finals lose game three, win game four by 21 points
07:18And Western Conference Finals, they lost game five, win game six by 27 points
07:24Dominant victories
07:26That is the definition of resiliency for these young San Antonio Spurs
07:32All right, time for tonight's starting lineups brought to you by Lincoln
07:35Once again, we send it to San Antonio Spurs PA announcer, Roland Ruiz
07:40The visiting New York Knicks
07:426'5 guard from Villanova, number three, Josh Hart
07:466'2 guard from Villanova, number 11, Jalen Brunson
07:506'6 forward from Villanova, number 25, Mikael Bridges
07:556'7 forward from Indiana, number 8, OG Ananobi
07:59And a seven-foot center from Kentucky, number 32, Carl Anthony Towns
08:04New York's head coach, Mike Brown
08:29I got, I got, I got, I got, I got no new T, got no new T inside my DNA
08:35I got, I got more perto of him, he's got more empty inside my DNA
08:38I got power, poison, pain and joy inside my DNA
08:42I got hustle, though, ambitious, flow inside my DNA
08:45Is it, hey?
08:46It's more like this, it's more like this, see magic, LIND conception
08:49I transform like this, perform like this, wish out she wasn't a weapon
08:52I don't have to play, I meditate then, off your, off your head
09:17It's time to meet the starting lineup for your Western Conference champions,
09:23the San Antonio Spurs, 6'3 guard from Kentucky, number 4, De'Aaron Fox, 6'7 forward from St. John's,
09:37number 30, Julian Champagne, 6'5 guard from Florida State, number 24, Devin the 7, 6'6 guard
09:52from UConn, number 5, Sethon Castle, and a 7'4 forward from France, number 1, Victor Mbonyama.
10:10And of course, the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs is Mitch Johnson, 62 wins regular season,
10:17and here they are in the NBA Finals.
10:20And now for the first time tonight, let's check in with Lisa Salters.
10:23Hey, Lisa.
10:24Hey, Mike.
10:25Well, fairly or unfairly, Victor Mbonyama put the Spurs' Game 1 loss squarely on himself,
10:31saying after that game, I was bad.
10:33It's not any more complicated than that.
10:35But what's also not complicated is how throughout these playoffs,
10:39this 22-year-old has shown a poise and maturity beyond his years,
10:43especially when his team has needed him the most.
10:45We need look no further back than the Western Conference Finals against the defending champs.
10:50The Spurs trailed twice in that series against OKC, and in the next game,
10:54both times, Mbonyama delivered.
10:56Dekita bouncing back tonight, Victor said, will be having a better mental approach.
11:01No drastic changes, he said, just getting back to playing their game.
11:05And Mitch Johnson said the reason why he's confident that his young star will meet the moment again
11:10is simple, because Victor Mbonyama wants this moment.
11:14Mike?
11:15All right, Lisa.
11:16Very impressive for such a young team to always bounce back.
11:20I want to remind you, you can try a lot of different ways to catch tonight's game,
11:23in addition to dedicated feeds from above-the-rim cameras and SkyCam.
11:27Listen in to the home radio calls for the Knicks and Spurs,
11:29as well as national broadcast on ESPN Radio.
11:32All five feeds are available on the ESPN app.
11:35Can we say something about the cartoon music when they announce the visitors of the starting lineup?
11:41They just want to dole out any of that extra noise, but trust me, the Rowe team,
11:45their fans are making enough noise.
11:48They was.
11:48Again, Lisa talking about this resiliency.
11:51Seven of the top nine players for the Spurs, it's their first playoffs legs,
11:54yet they don't seem daunted at all by what goes on, whether they win or they lose.
11:59And here's the delicate balance tonight.
12:01You've got to play with desperation, but you've got to play with poise.
12:04That sometimes can be hard to find.
12:07They can certainly clean up some things from game one, but they know right now,
12:11their backs are against the wall.
12:13Having lost that first game, expect them to come out with force.
12:17Meanwhile, the Knicks, 12 straight wins, only the third team in NBA history
12:21to win 12 consecutive playoff games.
12:24And they've won seven consecutive road playoff games,
12:27all by 10 points or more.
12:30And we're set for game two.
12:36And the Spurs shot so poorly in game one,
12:39their lowest field goal percentage of the season,
12:42yet still they led by one with two minutes to go.
12:45Fox floats it over.
12:47The cell off the bounce.
12:49Weminyama goes right at Carl Anthony Towns.
12:52Pass inside.
12:52They throw it back up top.
12:54The cell lines it up and knocks it down.
12:58But they got Victor Weminyama a touch early.
13:02He had a nice driving lane last second.
13:04That ball movement forced the Knicks into the lane.
13:08So even if he doesn't shoot it,
13:09early touches leads to open shots on the perimeter.
13:12That's what Mitch Johnson said.
13:14He was troubled by most in game one.
13:16The lack of ball movement.
13:17Only 16 assists.
13:19They didn't shoot well, so that didn't help.
13:21But excellent ball movement on the first possession.
13:25Brunson fumbles it.
13:26Shot clock at four.
13:27Brunson drives on Champagne.
13:29Pulls back his first shot of the night.
13:30That's good.
13:31And that's tough.
13:32You see the Spurs pick up full court.
13:35Force him into a difficult shot.
13:36And then Jalen Brunson does what he does.
13:39Finishes off the play after great defense by the Spurs.
13:42That was close to being a violation.
13:43Champagne gets inside.
13:45Can't hit, but a foul.
13:46By the way, Brunson made his first shot in game one
13:49and then really struggled into the fourth quarter.
13:52Yeah, they ran their first set in game one for him.
13:56Specifically designed to come off a down screen.
13:58Knocked down his first jumper.
14:00Knocked down his first shot again tonight.
14:02But on that backcourt, he did it.
14:03Was able to establish both feet back into the frontcourt
14:06before he touched that basketball.
14:08Meanwhile, Champagne, just the opposite.
14:10He was red hot in the first half.
14:12Had 15 points, five three-pointers.
14:15He has turned into a sensational three-point shooter.
14:18And gets some free throws here.
14:20I'm noticing Wimby's already back.
14:22He's not up on the line trying to get free throws.
14:24Sometimes it will start players,
14:26just allow them to present their defense in the backcourt.
14:29Which also, to me, means that the Spurs
14:31are planning for the guards to pick up their pressure
14:33a little bit more in the frontcourt
14:35as they do again here.
14:38Castle gets up into Brunson
14:40in eight seconds to get it over the timeline.
14:42Castle makes that difficult sometimes.
14:47Great double team.
14:48Towns gets it.
14:49Finds Ananobi.
14:50Out to heart.
14:51Good ball moving from the Knicks.
14:53Bridges a floater over Lombanyama.
14:55Pass deflected or rebound.
14:56And Fox picks it up.
14:57You love that aggressive trap on Brunson.
15:00They're going to force him to give it up.
15:02Fox's first shot can't get it.
15:04Towns the rebound.
15:05You know, so often in these playoff series,
15:07the team that loses the prior game
15:09comes out with such desperation.
15:13Brunson leans in.
15:15And a foul.
15:17Castle not happy.
15:18Brunson will get to the free throw line.
15:20That's just a smart play right there.
15:22As he comes off that screen,
15:23he knows the defender is chasing and trailing.
15:26So that little hesitation forces the contact.
15:32And it's beyond the arc.
15:33So three free throws from Jalen Brunson.
15:36His heroics in game one.
15:3713 of his 30 points in that fourth quarter.
15:40Remember, it almost didn't happen.
15:42He left the game in the first
15:44with a right knee.
15:45The injury.
15:48This is two times in a row
15:49that we have seen that
15:51the Spurs are picking up
15:52after a made bucket.
15:54But here,
15:55gray screen by Josh Hart.
15:57And that forces Vassell.
15:58So when Wimby is back,
16:00Josh Hart is able to set a screen
16:02without any help around him.
16:04And that gives Vassell a tough spot
16:06and ends up foul in Brunson.
16:08Brunson is the second.
16:09By the way,
16:10he was saying yesterday
16:11that when he was going back
16:12to the locker room,
16:13he was limping heavily
16:14after that.
16:15The injury said,
16:16come on now.
16:17Not now.
16:18Of all times,
16:18not now.
16:19And obviously,
16:20he came back
16:20and was the key player
16:22at crunch time.
16:24Mike,
16:25you mentioned Jalen Brunson
16:26making his first shot
16:27and then kind of struggling
16:28a little bit after.
16:29It's never the first quarter
16:30with Brunson.
16:31Where you're worried most
16:32about Brunson
16:32is those last five minutes.
16:34Well,
16:35he had led the NBA
16:36or was in the top three
16:37in his first quarter points,
16:38but he's also had
16:39some rough start.
16:40His heart tried to steal it.
16:42And a foul,
16:43but it's called on Brunson.
16:46Castle falls down.
16:48Spurs will take it side out.
16:53A stat that'll make
16:54the Spurs fans happy.
16:56Last three teams
16:57to lose game one
16:58of the finals at home
16:59have gone on to win the title.
17:01Remember,
17:01OKC last year
17:02lost game one
17:03at home to Indiana.
17:05And they'll end up winning
17:06in seven games.
17:09Fox did not shoot well
17:11in game one.
17:12Kicks it out.
17:13Vassell.
17:14Champagny fires away
17:15and knocks down another.
17:17Well,
17:18there's one guy
17:18that's been dialed in
17:19for the Spurs
17:20coming out
17:21of their conference final
17:23continuing into game one.
17:24Julian Champagny
17:25right now
17:26is feeling that.
17:27Ball deflected.
17:29Castle comes up with it.
17:31And a whistle is a foul
17:32as Brunson and Castle
17:34fall into that first row.
17:38Josh Hart will pick up
17:39his first personal.
17:44And this is two shots now.
17:46They've gotten off rhythm
17:46because you can see
17:48the basketball's
17:49touching the paint.
17:49Look at five blue jerseys.
17:51Turn and see the basketball.
17:52So now
17:53Champagny already
17:54has it lined up.
17:55That's an easy
17:56catch and shoot.
17:57Knicks have three
17:58team fouls already
17:59for not even
18:00two and a half minutes in.
18:01Castle,
18:02tough shot
18:03and gets it in
18:04off the glass.
18:07Castle so strong,
18:08so tough.
18:09Mike Brown was talking
18:10about that.
18:10How physical
18:11and how tough
18:12the Spurs guards are.
18:14And Anobi drives
18:14on Wimby.
18:15Gets inside.
18:16Lamp is cut.
18:17Uses the rim
18:18as a shield.
18:19And Mike,
18:21Brunson has a foul.
18:22Bridges has a foul
18:23and Josh Hart
18:24has a foul
18:25in the first
18:26three minutes
18:26of this game.
18:28The sell.
18:29Bridges stops him.
18:31Ball poked away
18:32by Towns.
18:32Champagny comes up
18:33with it.
18:34Still plenty of time
18:34on the shot clock.
18:35And he banked.
18:36That banked in.
18:37We saw one of those
18:38the other night.
18:39Deuce McBride
18:40had one of those.
18:44Towns double team.
18:45Swarming defense
18:46right now
18:47from San Antonio.
18:51Brunson
18:51trying to find
18:52some room.
18:53Floats it out.
18:54Ananobi.
18:54Fake.
18:55Fire.
18:56Hits.
18:56Ogie Ananobi
18:57the three-pointer.
18:58He has so much
18:59patience in those
19:00corners.
19:00But you're seeing
19:01now a different
19:02approach here
19:02early with Brunson.
19:03They're giving him
19:04a lot more traffic
19:05forcing the kickouts.
19:07And Ogie Ananobi
19:08took his time
19:09in the corner.
19:11Amanyama kicks it
19:12back out.
19:12Castle plenty of space.
19:14Can't hit.
19:14Long rebound.
19:15Bridges.
19:21Champagny the taller
19:22player on Brunson
19:23gets inside.
19:24Brunson can't get
19:24at the ball.
19:26Slow getting up
19:27the other way.
19:28Castle drives inside.
19:29Bridges right with him.
19:30Comes up short.
19:31Webby keeps it alive.
19:32Ball loose.
19:32Ananobi throws it
19:33ahead.
19:34Brunson one man to
19:35beat.
19:35Goes right at the
19:36cell.
19:36Blocked by Vassell.
19:38Rejects it out of
19:39bounds.
19:43And Lange.
19:44San Antonio looks
19:45like they're coming
19:45out with that
19:46physicality.
19:48Sometimes it looks
19:48like the Knick
19:49players are looking
19:49around at the
19:50referees while the
19:52Spurs are the ones
19:53that are more
19:53physical.
19:54And that's an
19:54outstanding block
19:55there by Devin
19:56Vassell taking the
19:57contact and going up
19:58without fouling.
19:59There is a frenetic
20:00energy right now about
20:01the Spurs as we
20:02expected there to be.
20:03Their defensive
20:04pressure intensity.
20:05They're putting body
20:06on body down at
20:08this end of the
20:08floor.
20:10Keldon Johnson
20:11who only played
20:12eight and a half
20:13minutes gets an
20:14early call.
20:15Drive inside from
20:16Hart.
20:17Stepped out of
20:17bounds.
20:18First turnover
20:19for the Knicks.
20:24And Mike,
20:25sometimes when a
20:25player like
20:27Keldon Johnson
20:28didn't get his
20:28normal minutes,
20:29normal rotation,
20:30Mitch Johnson
20:30going to him
20:31early.
20:32Getting him a
20:33rhythm early,
20:33letting him feel
20:34the court,
20:35maybe a little bit
20:36sooner than you
20:37normally would.
20:37That's the fewest
20:38minutes he's played
20:39all games.
20:40He's the NBA
20:40six-man winner.
20:42Drives into the
20:43paint, stops,
20:44finds Wemby,
20:45inside with a
20:46flush.
20:48And that's where
20:49you love to see
20:50Wemby on those
20:51weak side slashes.
20:52He didn't just
20:53stay out on the
20:53perimeter, see if
20:55there was going to
20:55be a kickout.
20:56He saw an
20:56opportunity to dive.
20:58Keldon Johnson,
20:58a nice find.
21:00Hart, no hesitation,
21:00but can't hit.
21:01Champagny grabs a
21:03rebound.
21:04Excellent start
21:05with his spurs.
21:06Dylan Harper's in,
21:07Castle gets inside,
21:08comes up short.
21:09Brunson looks to push.
21:10He can't believe he
21:11missed out.
21:12He just short-armed
21:13that reverse.
21:14And Brunson nails
21:15the three.
21:16That's what Mike
21:17Brown wants from the
21:17Knicks, the fast pace,
21:18right?
21:19And that's a five-point
21:20swing.
21:20That's the find Castle
21:21at the rim.
21:22That should be an easy
21:23lay instead.
21:24Now you've got
21:25numbers the other
21:25way for the Knicks
21:26early push.
21:28Champagny, the
21:29Harper.
21:29Harper, that great
21:30start the other
21:31night and off to a
21:32great start with a
21:33beautiful drive to the
21:34basket.
21:34He is fearless going
21:35to the rim.
21:36RJ, every single
21:37perimeter player for
21:38San Antonio was
21:39caught to basketball
21:40and they have had
21:40intent on getting
21:41into the paint.
21:42Defense!
21:44Defense!
21:46Bridges up top.
21:49Defense!
21:51Bounds finds Hart.
21:52Hart does not
21:53shoot the three,
21:53drives inside.
21:54Wembe right there
21:55to greet him.
21:56Towns gets a good
21:56look.
21:57His three-pointer
21:57off the mark.
21:58Johnson the rebound.
22:03Wembe kicks it out.
22:05Johnson,
22:05Garner by Bridges.
22:07Wembenyama,
22:07three-pointer.
22:09And Hart grabs
22:10the rebound.
22:11Hart had 15
22:12rebounds
22:13in game one.
22:17Bridges,
22:18dangerous pass.
22:19Champagny almost
22:20got a piece of it.
22:22Three, two, three,
22:24and an OB drives
22:25on Champagny.
22:26Wembe lurking.
22:28Good ball
22:29moving here.
22:30Bridges on the drive.
22:31Kicks it back out.
22:33Hart floater
22:33as the shot clock's
22:34expiring.
22:35Can't get it.
22:35Fight for the rebound.
22:37Knocked away.
22:37Picked up by Harper.
22:38Great defensive
22:39possession
22:40by the Spurs.
22:42Harper passes
22:42inside.
22:43Shot no good
22:44but a foul.
22:45Castle,
22:45more free throws
22:46coming up.
22:47We'll have our
22:47first timeout.
22:54And Victor Wembenyama
22:55catching it
22:56in that danger zone.
22:57That's in the paint.
22:58Taking off
22:59for the dot
23:00with the left-hand
23:01finish.
23:02Right now,
23:03Spurs up four.
23:12Join the limelight
23:13brought to you by
23:13Corona.
23:14Legs.
23:14Mike,
23:15we talked about
23:15the Spurs all year
23:16being elite defensively.
23:17This is what
23:18a practice drill
23:19looks like.
23:19You force baseline
23:20penetration,
23:21rotate over,
23:22and then you sink
23:23in the paint.
23:24Here you see
23:24Wembenyama doing it
23:25again.
23:26Great pickup by
23:27Castle.
23:27And at the end of it,
23:28it's a kick out
23:29and an awkward leaner
23:30out of Josh Hart.
23:31Why is this so important?
23:32Because the New York Knicks
23:33have an advantage
23:34almost every night
23:35they play in the
23:36postseason
23:36with points in the paint.
23:38They've only got
23:38two tonight.
23:39It's a critical part
23:40of their offense.
23:41San Antonio
23:42containing that
23:42will be a big
23:43storyline.
23:45Wembeny sits.
23:46Luke Cornett
23:47in the game.
23:48Castle back to
23:49the free throw line.
23:50Misses that first
23:51Castle.
23:52First finals game
23:53the other night.
23:5317 points,
23:54eight rebounds
23:55played as usual.
23:56Terrific defense.
24:00This is second year
24:01in the league.
24:02His growth,
24:03where have you seen
24:04the biggest growth
24:05from rookie of the year
24:06to this season?
24:07Well, I think there's
24:08so much room to grow.
24:09That's what's scary
24:10about how talented
24:11Castle is.
24:12But I just think
24:12his poise,
24:13I think you look at him
24:14in key moments
24:15in the game.
24:16He takes his time
24:17and he's more confident
24:18in what shot
24:19he wants to get.
24:20Meanwhile,
24:20Champagny,
24:21nice job.
24:22Bridges had the rebound.
24:23Champagny knocked it
24:24off Bridges,
24:25so new 14 on the
24:26shot clock.
24:27Deuce McBride,
24:27Landry Schammett
24:28have come in.
24:29Both teams rely
24:30on their bench.
24:31Both teams have
24:31some excellent players
24:33off the bench.
24:34And a foul on Towns.
24:36They're in the penalty
24:37already with 545 remaining.
24:39I don't know
24:40if that's worth
24:40the risk right there
24:41by Carl Anthony Towns.
24:43You're trying to
24:44contest that inbounds pass.
24:45You pick up
24:46a cheap foul.
24:47More importantly,
24:47you send the Spurs
24:49to the line.
24:49He sees it.
24:50He wants to go get it.
24:52Just not able
24:53to get quite high enough.
24:54Cornette secures it.
24:56That turns 2.
24:59Cornette in Game 1.
25:01Played just 10 minutes.
25:03Of course,
25:03Cornette,
25:04that block he had
25:05in Game 7
25:06at a critical time
25:07against OKC.
25:08That's one of those plays
25:10that fans never forget.
25:12It was such a sensational block.
25:16Thumbs up short.
25:17Towns the rebound.
25:18Throws it ahead.
25:19Shannon.
25:19Shannon has one man to beat.
25:20It's Harper.
25:21Inside layup is no good.
25:22In and out.
25:23Mike Brown upset.
25:25Thought he got hit.
25:26Spurs come the other way.
25:29Harper fakes.
25:31Harper drives.
25:32Harper finishes.
25:33Oh-ho!
25:34Once again,
25:35a spark off the bench
25:36from the 20-year-old.
25:38And Carl Anthony Towns
25:39couldn't contest that
25:40the way he wanted.
25:41That would have been
25:42his second foul.
25:44Foul on the entry pass there.
25:46That's against Cornette.
25:49Well, he is fearless.
25:50There's no doubt.
25:51And he's just got so much power.
25:52When he comes to that
25:53two-footed jump stop,
25:54that's the best way
25:55to try to get into the chest
25:57of a shot blocker.
25:58Didn't even need to
25:59right there.
25:59As R.J.,
26:00you mentioned,
26:01Carl Anthony Towns
26:01turns his body
26:02at the last second
26:03to avoid picking up
26:04a cheap one.
26:07Seven-point San Antonio
26:09lead.
26:09Spurs led by ten
26:10in the first quarter
26:11of game one.
26:13Towns quick catch and shoot.
26:15And he's such a sweet
26:16shooting big man.
26:17And this is that time
26:18with Lindy out the game.
26:20You have more options.
26:21You got three-point shot,
26:23and this is when
26:23they attack the paint
26:24last game.
26:25Harper misfires.
26:27Towns quick outlet
26:28of the Spurs
26:29get back nice defensively.
26:31McBride to Bridges.
26:33Bounce to Brunson.
26:34Extra pass.
26:35Shot it off the bounce.
26:36Now fires away.
26:37Roy off.
26:38McBride gets the rebound.
26:41And it's going to be
26:42a jersey hold right there
26:44against San Antonio.
26:48Spurs not the penalty yet.
26:53Again,
26:54Carl Anthony Towns.
26:55That's a great little
26:56brush screen
26:57by Brunson.
26:58That gives him another
26:59half second
27:00of open space
27:02to knock down that shot.
27:03And Carl Anthony Towns
27:04doesn't need fun.
27:05That's intentional.
27:06He saw him down there.
27:07All it takes is a little
27:07shoulder to knock
27:09that defender off stride.
27:10He could not get back
27:11to Carl Anthony Towns.
27:14And Bryan
27:15and Brunson.
27:16Tony Brothers
27:17getting insane.
27:18Come on, guys.
27:19Knock it off.
27:20Carter gives a little smile
27:21saying he's okay.
27:22This is what the rookie
27:23is supposed to do.
27:24He's supposed to get physical.
27:26That's how he gets on the court.
27:27That last foul, by the way,
27:28was on Harper
27:29and they changed the
27:30Cornette foul to Vassell.
27:35Bridges, Vassell all over him.
27:38Smothering defense
27:39early here from San Antonio.
27:41And Brunson apparently
27:42stepped out of bounds.
27:46Now, Knicks in the second half
27:48of game one
27:49had just one turnover.
27:50That was a key.
27:52And there you see,
27:54clearly,
27:54Tyler Ford right on there.
27:56Tyler Ford,
27:56Tony Brothers,
27:57Josh Timmon,
27:58the officials tonight.
27:59Bryant blocked by Towns.
28:02Towns played some excellent
28:03defense in game one.
28:05I think that's just
28:06Carter Bryant
28:07trying to make a play.
28:08He wants to have an impact
28:09on the game so badly.
28:11Rushed out a little bit.
28:12Did not read the floor.
28:13Towns drives on Cornette.
28:14Lays it in
28:15as he goes crashing
28:16to the floor.
28:18Again, another paint point.
28:19Wimby's out the game.
28:20You can straight line drive.
28:22We saw that in the open.
28:23Carl Anthony Towns
28:24attacking Luke Cornette.
28:26The sell.
28:27No hesitation.
28:28Bridges grabs the miss.
28:33Bart O'Brien,
28:35another terrific,
28:36talented rookie.
28:37And Cornette
28:38knocks down Brunson.
28:40That's going to be
28:41the 14th foul.
28:43Brunson with just a smile.
28:45That's a pretty good show there.
28:47You think?
28:49You're going to get out
28:50and show.
28:50That's a full show,
28:51full body.
28:52There's no way
28:53Jalen Brunson
28:53is turning this corner.
28:57When we played
28:58against Steph Curry
28:59in the finals,
29:00our job was
29:01to beat him up like that.
29:02And it wasn't
29:03anything dirty.
29:04But it's just
29:05if you're going to foul him,
29:06foul him in a physical nature.
29:07You want to make him
29:08have to work.
29:09Make his body
29:10hit the floor.
29:11Make it difficult for him.
29:12You want it to limit
29:13his freedom of movement.
29:15Mitchell Robinson comes in.
29:18They could play
29:19Hakimich if they want.
29:20Brunson
29:20trying to draw a foul.
29:22Looks like he got
29:22bumped from behind.
29:23Ball batted around.
29:24McBride comes out with it.
29:25Pulls back.
29:26Jump shot.
29:27In and out
29:27for a net for rebound.
29:29Knicks shooting
29:30just 35%
29:31from the field
29:32as Fox returns.
29:35Fox sneaks inside.
29:37Knocked away.
29:37Gets it back.
29:38Bank shot is good.
29:40A broken play.
29:41He made something of it.
29:42Yeah,
29:42he was surrounded
29:44by three Knick defenders.
29:45Once he picked it up,
29:46they just fled.
29:48Nobody talked that out.
29:49Everybody left the basketball
29:50and you let the Aaron Fox
29:52get an easy one.
29:53Shanna drives.
29:55And Shanna is fouled.
29:56Or they do a Hakimich beforehand.
30:02With 325 remaining.
30:07Yeah,
30:08Shanna was going
30:09to the basket.
30:11Robinson now
30:13will shoot
30:14the free throws.
30:14That has been
30:19Shanna wants to go
30:20to the line
30:20but the other foul,
30:22the one that he fouled,
30:22Robinson came before
30:23the contact on Shanna.
30:27Cornette picks up
30:27his second.
30:28Robinson in the playoffs.
30:2913 of 44.
30:30That's 29%.
30:32And remember,
30:33he's got that broken bone
30:34in his right hand.
30:35He's got the brace on it.
30:42Line drive.
30:43How about that?
30:44He got it to go.
30:45But one thing
30:46you have to watch out for here
30:47if you're San Antonio,
30:48it's so flat.
30:50There are times
30:51that ball hits the front rim.
30:52It kicks out so hard
30:54toward the foul line
30:55if you're susceptible
30:56to an offensive rebound.
30:58That might not be
30:59a bad strategy.
31:00He's been shooting
31:01free throws.
31:02He's, you know,
31:03he's saying this all the time.
31:04He works on it so much
31:06and just has not seen
31:07the improvement
31:08in terms of the numbers.
31:09Misses that one.
31:10The cell, the rebound.
31:11But that's a compliment
31:12to Mitchell Robinson.
31:13He has such an impact
31:14on the game
31:15that makes the Knicks
31:16have to make a decision
31:17on if they play him.
31:19McBride and Harper.
31:23The cell off the bounce.
31:25Gets in the lane.
31:26High off the glass.
31:30The cell,
31:30who has been
31:31one of the most
31:31consistent spurs
31:32in these playoffs
31:33did not have
31:34an exceptionally
31:35terrific game
31:36in game one
31:36but a good start
31:38and they foul Robinson again.
31:40They can do this
31:40until there are
31:41two minutes left
31:42in the quarter.
31:43We're going to have
31:44a timeout
31:44as we get under
31:45the three-minute mark.
31:46So Robinson's going to
31:47shoot more free throws
31:48with the Knicks down five.
31:54Devin Bissell
31:54turns the corner.
31:56Good to see that ball
31:57go in early
31:58for a scorer.
32:05Cold under pressure
32:06brought to you
32:07by Coors Light.
32:08Richard.
32:09And when you watch
32:09San Antonio ball movement
32:11their goal is to get
32:13in the paint.
32:14Attack.
32:15Move that ball around
32:17and it ends up
32:18in Champagne's hand
32:19who was hot last game
32:20and continues it here
32:21tonight.
32:22And then Keldon Johnson
32:23attacking the paint
32:24forcing the defense
32:25collapse
32:26and now Wimby gets
32:27a running start
32:27and there is no
32:28stopping him
32:29in that space.
32:31So Robinson back
32:32to the free throw line
32:33when one for two
32:35in the previous trip
32:36in the longest
32:38tenured Knick
32:38been through a lot
32:40of ups and downs
32:40and saying even
32:41with the broken bone
32:42in his hand
32:43there was no way
32:43he was going to miss
32:44the NBA Finals.
32:46That one well off.
32:49It's clearly hard
32:51to tell whether or not
32:52the brace has any
32:54effect on him
32:54because he's not
32:55a good free throw
32:56shooter even without it.
32:57I was thinking
32:57that it might help out.
32:59Right.
32:59But no because
32:59sometimes when players
33:00get up there
33:01they get more
33:02into their heads
33:03so if you have
33:04something to kind
33:04of take your mind
33:05off of that
33:05then it can help you
33:07out.
33:07Well the strategy
33:08helping out the Spurs
33:10Robinson goes one
33:11for four on the
33:11two trips.
33:13Spurs up by five.
33:16Fox.
33:17Bacill.
33:17Fade back out
33:18to Fox
33:19and Anobi tries
33:20to close.
33:21Fox hits the three.
33:22That's the fourth
33:23three-pointer
33:23for San Antonio.
33:25Four for eight
33:25here in the first.
33:26And right now
33:26San Antonio
33:27is using
33:28the Knicks'
33:29ability to
33:30close out
33:31and chase
33:31the basketball
33:31against them.
33:33They're overly
33:33aggressive
33:34on their
33:35closeouts
33:35and now
33:36San Antonio
33:36has found a rhythm.
33:37They could not
33:38find that
33:38in game one.
33:40And the Knicks
33:41without a rhythm
33:42now with another
33:43hack of Mitch.
33:45Carter Bryan
33:46has been the one
33:46to foul him
33:47the next two times.
33:48That's the smart
33:48play by San Antonio.
33:50Carter Bryan's
33:50not going to play
33:51big minutes.
34:01Gets that one
34:02to go.
34:03Tonight's upcoming
34:04NBA final schedule
34:05brought to you
34:06by Modelo.
34:07Monday the series
34:08shifts to New York.
34:09Going to be of course
34:10on ABC tip-off
34:12shortly after 8.30
34:13and then Wednesday
34:13in New York as well
34:14on ABC tip-off
34:16shortly after 8.30.
34:18Knicks crowds
34:19and there's a lot
34:20here again tonight.
34:21The biggest cheers
34:22of the night
34:23are when Mitchell
34:24Robinson knocks down
34:24a free throw.
34:25Oh 100%
34:26because he's such
34:27a crucial part
34:28to what they do
34:29that teams strategize
34:31to get him off the court.
34:32How about that?
34:33It's two for two legs.
34:34That's including
34:35the cheers in his own head
34:36that he's experiencing
34:38right now
34:39to hit a pair.
34:40What a relief for him.
34:42Box searching.
34:43Sees an open.
34:44He gets inside
34:45and lays it up.
34:46Box got a better
34:47bounce to his step
34:48and not been
34:49it's an excuse
34:50but he has not
34:51been the same
34:52since he turned
34:53his right ankle
34:53in the second round.
34:55He won't use it
34:56as an excuse
34:57but he's not been
34:58moving as well.
34:59Good start tonight.
35:00Brunson double tee
35:01off of Harper's leg.
35:06Nine to shoot
35:07for the Knicks.
35:08Third time now.
35:09Jalen Brunson
35:10has had a screen
35:11in that area of the floor.
35:12When he's that close
35:12to half court
35:13San Antonio
35:14is going full blitz
35:15to get the ball
35:16out of his hands
35:17at all costs.
35:23And Anobi hands it
35:24back to Brunson.
35:25Vassell in pursuit.
35:28Shot clock at three.
35:29Brunson on the drive.
35:30Leans in.
35:30The floater's up.
35:31Shot can't get it.
35:32Harper the rebound.
35:33Throws it ahead.
35:34Vassell.
35:35Two on one break.
35:36Alley-oop to Fox.
35:36He lays it up and in.
35:38And it's a ten-point lead.
35:42This like game one.
35:43Spurs double-figure lead
35:45in the first quarter.
35:47And that's the advantage
35:48of having guards
35:48that rebound like this.
35:49They can push it
35:50immediately
35:51and get the ball advanced.
35:53Ananobi
35:53had it knocked away.
35:55Gets it back.
35:56Once again with 24.
35:59Down to four.
35:59Pass inside to Robinson.
36:01Lays it up and in.
36:02Good pass from Ananobi.
36:09Fox comes back out.
36:11Fox nine points.
36:13Here in this first quarter.
36:15Four or five from the field.
36:16Wemby against Robinson.
36:17Shot clock.
36:18But a foul.
36:20Ananobi went to help out.
36:23And it's on.
36:24Mr. Robinson.
36:25We talked a lot about
36:26in game one.
36:27The way these guards rebound.
36:28This is a big-time rebound.
36:31And because it's your guard,
36:32he can then turn spin out.
36:34And now you've got
36:35blue jerseys behind
36:36the basketball.
36:37It leads to something easy
36:38which is critical
36:39against the Knicks defense
36:41that's playing this well
36:42and is this aggressive.
36:43First foul on Robinson.
36:45Amanyama with his first trip
36:46to the free throw line.
36:48He took 13 free throws
36:51in game one.
36:52Shot poorly from the field.
36:54Six of 21.
36:55Shot poorly from three.
36:56Two of nine.
36:57Still finished with 26 points.
36:5912 rebounds.
37:00Three blocks.
37:01Most players would give
37:02anything to have those numbers.
37:04But as he admitted,
37:05he did not play well.
37:06Well, and that's the thing
37:07about Wimby.
37:08If that's one of his worst games,
37:09that's what the fear is
37:11when you're playing
37:11against the San Antonio Spurs.
37:13Wimby has the ability
37:14and the talent
37:15that if he has
37:16one of those nights,
37:17there's nothing
37:17you can do about it.
37:21Coming up on a minute left.
37:22Here in the first.
37:23A nine-point lead
37:25for San Antonio.
37:28There's Fox defending.
37:29Fox has more points
37:30here in the first quarter
37:31of game two
37:32than the entire game one.
37:34Boy, this defense
37:35is sensational.
37:36Did he step out?
37:37Backcourt violation.
37:39Excellent defense
37:39from the rookie,
37:41Dylan Harper.
37:42RJ, they are extended.
37:44I mean,
37:44this has been
37:45every trip
37:45in the half court.
37:46The Spurs
37:47are up,
37:48extended pressuring
37:49these ball handlers.
37:54That was close.
37:56And that's the thing.
37:57The referee
37:58was late
37:58to get there
37:59to see it
38:00and I think
38:00he might have gone
38:01off the reaction
38:02because it was
38:03so close.
38:07Fox waits
38:08for the screen.
38:10Lawson
38:11picked up
38:12by Brunson.
38:13Find Shannon
38:14cutting to the basket,
38:15lays it up and in.
38:18That's only
38:19the second turnover
38:20for San Antonio.
38:23Only five
38:24in the game.
38:25What's at stake
38:26with this kind of
38:27pressure on these
38:27ball handlers?
38:28That's only five
38:29turnovers.
38:29That's a very
38:30clean quarter
38:31for both teams.
38:34And it'll be
38:35guarding Fox.
38:36And it'll be
38:37defensive versatility
38:38so important.
38:39Wendam Yama
38:40makes the three.
38:41Now drives on
38:41Robinson,
38:42gets inside,
38:42layup is good.
38:45Started from
38:46well beyond
38:46the arc
38:47and it gets
38:48an easy bucket
38:48back to nine.
38:50Shot clock
38:50turned off,
38:51no fouls to give.
38:54Brunson
38:54stepped back,
38:55three-pointer.
38:56Can't get it.
38:57Wendby the rebound.
38:58Hoist it.
38:59That'll count
38:59if it goes.
39:02An excellent
39:03response
39:04from the
39:04San Antonio
39:05Spurs
39:07here in the
39:07first quarter
39:08of game two.
39:08They shoot
39:0962%
39:10from the field.
39:11Well,
39:11Victor Wendam Yama
39:12a little bit more
39:13aggressive here early
39:14and I like the read.
39:16If you get
39:16Mitchell Robinson
39:17closing out,
39:18put it down
39:18and attack.
39:25For tonight's
39:26access brought to you
39:27by Visible by
39:28Verizon.
39:29Mike,
39:29you knew they were
39:29going to come out
39:30with a degree
39:30of desperation
39:31tonight.
39:32Down nine.
39:33Just how do you
39:34think you've weathered
39:35that storm so far?
39:36Okay,
39:37we got to keep
39:38taking care of the
39:38basketball
39:39and we just got to
39:40weather the storm
39:42they do play off
39:43of a lot of energy
39:44so hopefully
39:45we can get it done.
39:46You guys want to run
39:47other than the
39:48hack-a-mitch portion
39:49of the game
39:49just how do you
39:50like the pace
39:51of the game so far?
39:51Oh,
39:52the pace has been
39:52pretty good.
39:53We still got to
39:53play faster.
39:54All right,
39:54thank you.
39:55Bye.
39:56All right,
39:57Lisa,
39:57John,
39:57this is a three.
39:58Now,
39:58Yama grabs the
39:59rebound as third.
40:02Harper,
40:04to Wimby.
40:06Castle's out there,
40:07Champagny and
40:07Keldon Johnson.
40:09Corner three goes
40:09for Castle.
40:11And it's quickly
40:12a 12-point lead.
40:13That's where the most
40:14growth has come from
40:15for Castle.
40:16I think it's that.
40:17His confidence
40:17in his perimeter
40:18shooting.
40:20Mananobis to McBride.
40:23Alvarado's checked in
40:24for the first time
40:25for the Dicks.
40:26Towns steps back
40:27and nails a shot.
40:29He's just been
40:29picking his spot
40:30so well.
40:31His shot attempts
40:33are down,
40:33but it's when he shoots,
40:35when he takes his time,
40:36and he looks at the defense,
40:38he's just been doing
40:38such a great job
40:39of that all postseason.
40:41Kind of pokes it away.
40:42Spurs.
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