Trailing for a long time, the Knicks won the NBA Cup final against San Antonio and “Wemby” on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Victor Wembanyama, first? It’s no. Short by 11 points, the Knicks caught fire in the last quarter, winning 35-19, to overthrow San Antonio (124-113) Tuesday, in Las Vegas, in the NBA Cup final. Led by OG Anunoby (28 points, 5/10 at 3 pts) and MVP Jalen Brunson (25 pts), and ultra-dominant in rebounds (59-42), the New York franchise succeeds the Lakers and Milwaukee in the winners of this cup created in 2023. Limited to 25 minutes, for this second match since his return from injury, “Wemby” finished with 18 points (7/17), 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. The 21-year-old French Alien will still have to wait before celebrating his first title with San Antonio. 21 points for rookie Dylan Harper (5/7 at 3 pts).
Note that we did not see any of the three “Frenchies” of the Knicks in action, Guerschon Yabusele, Pacôme Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara not having come off the bench. Remember that New York, who defeated Orlando (132-120) in the semi-finals, had not celebrated the slightest trophy since the title in 1973. The Spurs’ last coronation dates back to 2014, during the time of Tony Parker. The Alamo City club, which beat the OKC armada (111-109) on Saturday in the semi-finals, will try to reach the play-offs for the first time since 2019 this season.
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Coming off the bench
Like Saturday, “Wemby” came off the bench. First appearance of the phenomenon after five minutes of play this time. A passage marked by his clumsiness, after a “run” by Spurs (7-2 then 7-11). Some tough duels with “KAT”, who sent him to the ground (28-30 end of 1st QT). Failing to stop Anunoby (20 pts at MT) or Brunson (15 pts at MT), San Antonio deprived the Knicks of address and transitions (43-50). Second passage not more brilliant offensively for Wembanyama, despite a nice “fade-away”, but impact in defense. The Frenchman also almost “broke the Internet” with an attempted reverse “alley-oop”. In the end, the Texans led at the break thanks to Fox (61-59 MT), who planted two goals after the restart (67-59).
We had talked about an “alley-oop” missed by “Wemby” in the first period, he passed one after the break, while the Spurs accelerated, like the dragster Harper (68-78). Still a bit of clumsiness for the Frenchman, who was nevertheless gaining momentum, like this clear triple and a long jumper in the process, at the end of the third quarter (81-92, then 87-94). Above all, the Spurs have so many options… After Kornet, Castle or Vassell in the first period, Fox or Barnes went for it (89-94 at the end of the 3rd QT).
The Knicks wanted her more
12 points for Wembanyama in this third quarter, including 10 in a row. But NYC turned things around at the start of the fourth, with a bunch of rebounds and a barrage of three points, two for Clarkson and one from Anunoby (97-94, then 100-95). And Brunson caught fire, while the Spurs were always colder in attack, without “Wemby” on the bench (104-97). Return of the giant (2.24m) with five minutes to play (110-105). A step above physically, the Knicks imposed their law on rebounds and in duels (107-115). That this triple from the rookie Harper did good to San Antonio (110-115)… Alas, Wembanyama was angry with his outside shot, several failures, unlike Anunoby (110-118). Mass was said (113-124 final score).
