The Knicks have reached the NBA Finals with momentum on their side, though they are not considered favourites. San Antonio won 62 games in the regular season, hold home-court advantage and have Victor Wembanyama leading expectations.
Game 1 is set for Wednesday at Frost Bank Center, with Game 2 also in San Antonio before the series shifts to Madison Square Garden.
New York arrive after an 11-game playoff surge. That run was built on balance, spacing and confidence around Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby. And Magic Johnson believes that mix changes what Wembanyama can do defensively.
Magic Johnson warns Victor Wembanyama his OKC approach will not work on Knicks
The former five-time NBA champion wrote on X last night: “Victor Wembanyama dominated the paint on defense during the Series against OKC while playing in a zone, but that won’t work against the Knicks given the 3-point shooting ability of Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby.”
That is the key tactical warning. Wembanyama can erase drives, but Towns and Anunoby can drag coverage outward and punish a passive zone.
Johnson also warned the problem runs both ways, as he continued: “And for the Knicks, I’m wondering who’s going to guard Victor Wembanyama.
“They won’t have as easy of a time on offense due to the much better defensive ability of the Spurs compared to their previous matchups against the Hawks, 76ers, and Cavaliers.”
The matchup also carries history. The last time the Knicks reached the Finals was 1999, when San Antonio beat them 4-1 behind Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
That makes this more than a tactical series. New York are chasing a long-awaited return and there is a bit of revenge in their sights, while Wembanyama must show he can adjust when the Knicks pull him away from his comfort zone.
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