The New York Knicks pulled off an improbable victory last night, showcasing a resilient comeback that began in the third quarter when they trailed by 11. What followed was a relentless surge that saw them seize control of the game and never look back, clinching a crucial road win.
A key tactical element observed was the defensive adjustments made by the Knicks. In one instance, when Wembanyama was positioned lower in the paint, his assigned defender, Josh Hart, was drawn out to the three-point line. This created an opportunity for Karl-Anthony Towns to exploit the back door, a play that was effectively executed. The Knicks’ defensive intensity was palpable, particularly in crucial moments. A prime example was during a post-up attempt by Wembanyama on Josh Hart. A momentary miscommunication led to a steal by Hart, initiating a fast break. This resulted in a three-on-two situation where Hart found McBride, who then swung the ball to Landry Shamet for a quick-trigger three-pointer. Shamet’s performance throughout the playoffs has been remarkable, and his ability to stop on a dime and confidently knock down shots, even with defenders closing out, was on full display. This sequence helped narrow the deficit, turning a five-point game into a three-point game.
The game-tying shot was a testament to the Knicks’ offensive execution and player movement. Jalen Brunson initiated the play, finding Landry Shamet. As rotations shifted, the ball moved to Josh Hart, who cut to the basket, drawing the big man out. Miles McBride then found himself open in the weak side corner. The play’s brilliance lay in its creation of defensive rotations across the board. With defenders hesitant to leave Mitchell Robinson open for a lob, the ball was sprayed to McBride, who calmly hit a shot off the window, demoralizing the opposition and tying the game at the end of the third quarter.
Landry Shamet continued to shine, proving to be an unsung hero. In a critical possession to start the fourth quarter, with the Knicks running a double drag off-ball screen action, Shamet cut to the basket. The opposing bigs were hesitant to commit to the paint due to the threat of Karl-Anthony Towns’ shooting range. Victor Wembanyama also couldn’t drop back too far, fearing an open three. This hesitation allowed Shamet to drive for a quick layup, a huge play in a tied game.
Another pivotal moment came when Harrison Barnes attempted to force Mikal Bridges baseline, a common defensive strategy utilizing the sideline as an extra defender. However, the Knicks’ defense rotated effectively, with everyone collapsing into the paint. This opened up OG Anunoby on the perimeter. With confidence, Anunoby took the quick trigger shot and made it, extending the Knicks’ lead. The Knicks made several tough shots in the late stages of the game, and as they started falling, they built a four-point advantage.
The play that essentially sealed the game occurred with 44 seconds remaining. Jalen Brunson, facing a one-on-one matchup, was defended by an ‘in-the-gap’ scheme designed to force the ball out of his hands. Brunson, however, expertly navigated the defense, re-establishing his path to the middle of the floor. He then executed a masterful sequence of a spin, step back, and pump fake, drawing his defender into the air. Through contact, Brunson faded away for a mid-range jumper that splashed through the net, a truly spectacular and demoralizing shot. This play, a testament to Brunson’s clutch ability, put the game out of reach.
The Knicks’ ability to execute on both ends, coupled with standout performances from Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, underpinned this remarkable comeback. Their defensive grit and offensive precision in critical moments allowed them to steal a road game in the NBA Finals, taking a 1-0 series lead.
