Knicks aren’t in position to win Game 1 of NBA Finals without Karl-Anthony Towns

SAN ANTONIO – A few notes after the Knicks’ win over the Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals…

KAT-A-LYST

Victor Wembanyama didn’t leave the court on Wednesday with any overt concerns about himself or his team.

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“I’m not worried (in) the slightest,” he said after the Knicks’ come-from-behind win in Game 1.

It almost sounded like Wembanyama was downplaying the impact of the Knicks’ defense in Game 1.

Karl-Anthony Towns and New York forced Wembanyama into tough shots all night, as he finished 6-for-21 with six turnovers.

He shot just 2-for-12 when defended by Towns.

But Wembanyama didn’t leave the arena worried about the Spurs’ chances in the series.

“It’s almost like I have to play normal, not even good. It’s just like doing the right things is enough,” he said. “When we play bad, when I play bad, is when we shoot ourselves in the foot. This is why I’m not worried. We’re going to be so much better. I’m going to be so much better.”

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Towns got the better of Wembanyama on both ends of the floor in Game 1.

He had 18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and one block through three quarters. His play in the third quarter helped New York rebound from a double-digit deficit. Of course, Jalen Brunson took over from there, with 13 points in the final 7:30 of regulation to lift New York to an upset in Game 1.

But the Knicks aren’t in position to win the game without Towns.

“Honestly with KAT, I feel like when he’s locked in he’s not just doing the scoring, doing the assisting but he’s setting the pick (on the pick) and roll and he’s diving hard and then defensively he’s bringing a physical presence,” Miles McBride said after Game 1.

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“What he did for us was not just guard him at a high level but he kept him from getting those second chance opportunities which I think is something Wemby does phenomenal. I feel like that’s huge. Taking away a first shot is big but to take away that second one was big for us.”

JALEN DOES IT AGAIN

Brunson was 7-for-22 through the first three quarters of Game 1, but as is usually the case, he was at his best in the fourth.

He scored…

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Publish date : 2026-06-04 07:08:00

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