Here are the stories that caught the eye of our editors last week:
Knicks in control as they look set to end 53 years of hurt
The New York Knicks just keep rolling on, and on, and on. A franchise that have gone 53 years without an NBA title, they have now surged to a 2-0 lead against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, winning both games on the road.
Their playoff run has been historic. They are on a ridiculous 13-game winning streak, playing with so much confidence and momentum that, frankly, it is starting to feel like no one could prevent them from reaching their destiny. The stars are beginning to align for a city that has been starved of success.
13 consecutive wins is the second-longest in playoff history, and they have become just the third team to win the first two games of a finals on the road, alongside the Chicago Bulls in 1993 and the Houston Rockets in 1995.
As the season has gone on, the Knicks have become more tenacious and powerful defensively, whilst the new role of Karl-Anthony Towns has reshaped their offence.
Across the two games, KAT is averaging 19.5 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, while shooting 56% overall and 43% from three. Defensively, he is holding opponents to 34.5% shooting.
His role has changed, where he has become a little bit more of an initiator. His playmaking has improved, and he is playing with more aggression on the defensive end. Frankly, he has completely outplayed and nullified Victor Wembanyama.
So while Jalen Brunson continues to be a playoff genius, this is most certainly a team effort.
If they can win Game 3, they can get preparations started for the parade. New York will be some scene if they manage to finish the job.
Tolga Akdeniz
Can the Spurs find their way back?
The NBA Finals are in full swing, and it has been a less-than-ideal start for the San Antonio Spurs. Despite opening the series at home as favourites, they quickly found themselves in trouble as the New York Knicks claimed the first two games to take a 2-0 series lead.
Still, the Spurs remain confident they can fight their way back and capture the championship.
“I think the key is acceptance a lot of times, taking a step back, realising all the journey that’s behind this and what’s ahead of this,” said Wembanyama.
“Just being OK with who I am, where I am, what I’m doing. This is everything that I wished for. There’s really no reason to overthink it. This is what I'm built for.”
Led by Wemby, the Spurs undeniably have all the tools to be successful. So, what do San Antonio need to change in Game 3 to come on top?
The first focus point is turnovers. In both contests, the Spurs committed more turnovers than the Knicks.
In Game 2, Wembanyama turned the ball over with less than 12 seconds to go – on what was supposed to be San Antonio’s final possession with an opportunity to score and win – and it cost them, as Brunson made a go-ahead free throw that secured the win for the Knicks as the Spurs came up empty on their final look.
Three-point shooting is another critical factor. New York has been red-hot from beyond the arc, and San Antonio must do a better job of contesting shots and limiting clean looks. The Spurs shot just 26% from three-point range in Game 1 before improving to 38% in Game 2. Maintaining that efficiency will be essential as they look to climb back into the series.
In NBA history, 37 teams fell into a 2-0 hole. Only five found a way out and claimed the championship. Three others forced Game 7 but ultimately lost the title game.
And while the numbers are not in favour of the Spurs, this type of comeback has been done before, and with one of the best players to ever play the game – Wemby – the Spurs have the perfect pedigree for getting it done.
Michaela Gaislerová
