Knicks Struggle With Slow Starts Again in NBA Finals Against Spurs
The New York Knicks have fallen behind early in each of the first three games of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, trailing by 10-12 points in first quarters despite solving this problem during the regular season and early playoffs. The Spurs' starting lineup has an exceptional net rating of 25.0 points this postseason and has outscored opponents by 4.5 points on average in first quarters, the best mark among all playoff teams. The Knicks' ability to mount comebacks in Games 1 and 2 cannot be relied upon indefinitely, and coach Mike Brown and players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson have acknowledged the need to improve their opening-game intensity.
The Knicks have struggled with sluggish starts in all three games of the NBA Finals so far, falling behind by as many as 12 points in the first quarter of Game 3 and 10 points in Games 1 and 2. While this was a recurring problem during the regular season that the team largely corrected in the postseason, it has resurfaced in the Finals. The Spurs' starting unit—featuring De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and Victor Wembanyama—has posted a net rating of 25.0 points this postseason, the best of any five-player lineup playing at least 100 minutes together. In contrast, the Knicks' starting lineup has a net rating of 11.2 points. Coach Mike Brown emphasized the need for improved physicality from the start of games, while players acknowledged they cannot continue to rely on comebacks. The Spurs have also led all playoff teams in first-quarter scoring margin at 4.5 points per game.
What different sources said
- New York PostRight
Knicks look to end slow starts that have cropped up again in NBA Finals
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