The Knicks defeated the Spurs and won the NBA Cup!

If it is Nix entered their last good run, a 9-0 Spurs run after Devin Vassell (12 points, 4/14 shooting) and Luke Cornett (14 points) gave them a 17-12 lead. While he had to wait until the start of the second quarter to make his debut against the Thunder, Victor Vembanyama (18 points, 7/17 on shots) joined his teammates on the floor in the fifth minute of the match.

OG Anunoby (28 points, 9 rebounds) then sparked a 7-0 run and the rise of Jalen Bruson (26-23). Then it takes a good pass from De’Aaron Fox (16 points, 9 assists) to give the Spurs a short lead at the end of the first quarter (30-28).

Three award-winning shots by Julian Champagne and Dylon Harper (21 points, 7 rebounds) confirm the jump of San Antonio (43-37). Mikal Bridges and Tyler Kolek (14 points) limit the damage from afar, but two consecutive interceptions by Stephon Castle (15 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds) and Victor Wembanyama bring a point (50-43).

San Antonio had the game ahead

Spurs then miss the target. They miss an opportunity to go +10, and the Knicks take advantage of that to get back on track. Brunson and Anunoby bring them back into the tie, before De’Aaron Fox puts San Antonio ahead 6 seconds into the half (61-59).

Two game-winning shots by Fox and another steal from Stephon Castle for Luke Cornett once again give the Spurs some breathing room (72-64). In the process, seven straight points from Dylan Harper off the bench put San Antonio ahead by more than 10 points for the first time in the game (82-71). Discreet until then, Wemby scores eight straight points, but the Knicks respond. Karl-Anthony Towns (16 points, 11 rebounds), Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson raise their voices, and New York remains in ambush (94-89).

Mitchell Robinson’s offensive rebounding is a game changer

Mike Brown’s men then burst into the breach. Mitchell Robinson takes five offensive rebounds in 90 seconds, and two three-pointers by Jordan Clarkson (15 points) lead to an 8-0 run that gives New York the lead for the first time since the first quarter (97-94)! Sensing the Spurs are in trouble, Jalen Brunson delivers a point. With Webby on the bench, the Knicks leader goes for his mid-range points, forcing Mitch Johnson to take a timeout (104-97).

As the Knicks continued to attack rebounds, the gap increased to +8 after Josh Hart’s three-pointer (115-107). Only Dylan Harper, with a long shot and a cross, delayed the deadline, but he did momentum is really on the side of New Yorkers. The Knicks manage to finish the match and win the third edition of the NBA Cup. Probably the last one in Las Vegas.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Mitchell Robinson and Jordan Clarkson decider. With the Knicks trailing at the start of the final quarter, two substitutions completely changed the face of the match. Mitchell Robinson dominated rebounding, grabbing 6 of his 10 offensive rebounds in the final quarter. The Knicks made 7/9 3-pointers on this second chance. Jordan Clarkson took advantage of these offensive rebounds and scored 8 of his 15 points in the final quarter. He found his rhythm at the best time to allow the Knicks to take control of the game.

– Victor Vembanyama inside. Still on the bench, Victor Vembanyama had much less energy than during the semi-finals. Although he finished second in San Antonio’s leading scorer, his decision left something to be desired. He looked one step behind the whole game. His many missed layup screens on Mitchell Robinson allowed New York to turn things around.

– Gershon Yabusele glued to the bench. After a poor performance in the semi-finals, where he was allowed only three minutes of play, the captain of the French team did not enter the game during the final. Mike Brown alternated between the pair of Karl-Anthony Towns – Mitchell Robinson, and even preferred German Ariel Huckporty for very short sequences. Difficulties continue for Guerschon Iabusele.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.