# \[The Athletic\] 杰伦·布伦森与文班亚马虽非完美，但已为史诗级总决赛拉开序幕
**URL:** https://chinaspurs.com/t/topic/47196
**Category:** 环球刺讯
**Tags:** 迈克-布朗, 2025-26赛季, 米奇-约翰逊, 德文-瓦塞尔, 维克托-文班亚马
**Created:** [2026 年6 月 4 日 15:01 UTC](https://chinaspurs.com/t/topic/47196 "2026-06-04T15:01:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### 作者：  [@TheAthletic](https://chinaspurs.com/u/TheAthletic)
#### 发布日期： [2026 年6 月 4 日 15:01 UTC](https://chinaspurs.com/t/topic/47196/1 "2026-06-04T15:01:19Z")
By Marcus Thompson II | The Athletic, 2026-06-04 14:35:21
_《The Athletic》正在为您带来[尼克斯对阵马刺](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/knicks-vs-spurs-live-updates-nba-finals-game-2-score-result/U2mvy4mrByX7/)的[2026年NBA总决赛第二场](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/knicks-vs-spurs-live-updates-nba-finals-game-2-score-result/U2mvy4mrByX7/)实时报道。_
圣安东尼奥——到了第四节，维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 和杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson) 都已摆脱了各自先前的平庸表现，披上了超人斗篷。作为总决赛基调之战的第一场，胜利就像最后一片披萨一样摆在面前，静待胜者摘取。而圣安东尼奥马刺与纽约尼克斯之间原本焦灼而精彩的拉锯战，也演变成了富有戏剧性的高潮。
布伦森在油漆区的抛投打破了86平的僵局，随后两次挑篮得手，帮助客场作战的尼克斯领先8分。[文班亚马](https://chinaspurs.com/t/topic/47206)则极力弥补这个手感不佳的夜晚，他先是迎着米切尔·罗宾逊 (Mitchell Robinson) 的防守飙中急停三分，随后又顶着卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns) 突破上篮打成2+1。比赛还剩2分16秒时，文班亚马两罚全中，帮助马刺反超1分。因为，正如他不断证明的那样，这个男人天生为大场面而生。即便以他的标准来看，这场比赛的表现有些失常，移动起来也显得尚未从让俄克拉荷马雷霆归于沉寂的消耗中完全恢复，但到了关键时刻，文班亚马依然能有所回应。
我们得到了我们想要的一切——那种让NBA总决赛充满魅力的窒息紧张感。双雄对决，在这瞩目的舞台上初展宏图，在他们职业生涯前所未有的巨大压力下施展平生所学。
在马刺夺回领先优势后，布伦森完成了最后一次接管。这位尼克斯身高6英尺2英寸（约1米88）的控球后卫，力压马刺身高6英尺5英寸（约1米96）且运动能力出众的侧翼德文·瓦塞尔 (Devin Vassell)，抢下了一个前场篮板。布伦森将球点给米卡尔·布里奇斯 (Mikal Bridges)，随后跑位到底角。当布里奇斯将球回传给布伦森时，他在底角已是空档。
弗罗斯特银行中心球馆内，没有一个理智的人会认为布伦森会投丢这一球。而他确实没丢。
显然，作为2025届年度最佳关键球员，布伦森敏锐地察觉到了这个时刻，并珍视这个成就传奇的机会。几秒钟后，他与瓦塞尔展开了一对一的博弈。每个人都知道接下来会发生什么，尤其是在马刺球迷群体中那一小片橙蓝相间的尼克斯拥趸。然而，凭借布伦森丰富的进攻武器库，他的招式总是变幻莫测。这一次他会如何解决战斗？他会使出什么动作？
“就像年轻人说的那样，”尼克斯主教练迈克·布朗 (Mike Brown) 解释道，“他掏出了他的武器库……”而布伦森确实拿出了他伟大的凭证。强突右路，变向往左，向右转身后撤步，虚晃一枪后身体前倾。布伦森看到文班亚马在旁伺机而动，于是他加大了出手的弧度，以避开后者的封盖。
篮球空心入网，化作一记丝滑的匕首，锁定了[纽约客场105-95的胜利](https://chinaspurs.com/t/topic/47157)，也拉开了一个正在成型的新时代的序幕。这一球传递了一个信号：尼克斯将成为这支备受赞誉的马刺的劲敌。这轮注定将以某种方式载入史册的系列赛，极有可能成为我们多年后仍会津津乐道的经典之战。因为在这场超级巨星的对决中，文班亚马和布伦森的身高差距超过了一英尺（约30厘米）。但在分量和影响力上，他们比看起来要接近得多。
“他是个天生的大场面球员，”布朗说道，“在最关键的时刻，他总能挺身而出，这就是MVP该有的样子。我们把球交到他手里，决定与他共存亡。而他为我们赢下了比赛。”
这绝非两人的代表作。布伦森用了31次出手才拿到30分。文班亚马21次出手仅命中28.6%，但凭借13罚12中的罚球，依然拿到了说得过去的26分。前者归咎于久疏战阵的生锈，后者则是由于急需休息。
“我期待他能从（第一场比赛）中学到很多东西，”马刺主教练米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson) 在谈到文班亚马时表示，“并在第二场比赛中拿出更好的应对方案。”
但第一场比赛依然火星四射。两队的配角球员表现出色。比赛的对抗强度和身体接触也配得上总决赛的舞台。而尼克斯球迷则渗透进了圣安东尼奥狂热的主场，让球馆内的气氛更加火爆。
这届NBA总决赛并没有寻常的那些元素。没有新科MVP，没有需要卫冕的冠军，没有需要去继承的传奇伟业，也没有需要在六月去战胜的心魔。两队中只有极少数人品尝过冠军香槟的味道。而且，除非你把NBA季中锦标赛（NBA Cup）也算进去，否则这两支球队在Napster的全盛时期之前就没有任何恩怨史了。
然而，仅仅打了一场，这届总决赛就让人感觉有些特别的东西正在酝酿，仿佛一幅用精美书法正缓缓书写的历史画卷。
文班亚马迎来了一个配得上他那极高期望值的对手。如果他能在一支全联盟最炙手可热的球队、庞大的球迷大军以及一座体量惊人的大都市面前证明自己，那么他的传奇之路将从一开始就闪耀无比。
又或者，布伦森将带领尼克斯的球迷大军，达到只有我们的父辈和祖辈才见证过的高度。而NBA历史也将迎来一位新的矮个子偶像，与伊塞亚·托马斯 (Isiah Thomas) 和斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 齐名。
要么马刺插上新王朝的旗帜，要么尼克斯终结长达半个世纪的冠军荒——这段漫长的岁月，甚至长到让灯芯绒和黑胶唱片都重新流行了一回。
“你永远不知道会发生什么，”布伦森说，“回合瞬息万变，你无法真正去预写接下来会发生什么。”
这就是总决赛的魅力所在。一切都没有预设的剧本。没有注定的结果，没有注定的英雄，也没有注定在彼岸诞生的传奇。
无论如何，文班亚马都将写下这位NBA最新门面超级巨星的开篇章。而无论如何，布伦森都已将自己的名字刻入了尼克斯的万神殿，并进入了人们此前从未想象过他能参与的讨论中。两人虽然都没有打出一场完美的杰作，但都在这轮定义他们生涯的系列赛中留下了清晰的个人印记。
如果说第一场比赛证明了什么，那就是这个剧本依然华丽地未完待续，且愈发引人入胜。
_由生成式 AI 翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。_
> **点击查看原文：Jalen Brunson, Victor Wembanyama weren't flawless, but set stage for epic NBA Finals**
>
> # Jalen Brunson, Victor Wembanyama weren’t flawless, but set stage for epic NBA Finals
>
> 
>
> _The Athletic has live coverage of [Knicks vs. Spurs](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/knicks-vs-spurs-live-updates-nba-finals-game-2-score-result/U2mvy4mrByX7/) in [Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals.](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/knicks-vs-spurs-live-updates-nba-finals-game-2-score-result/U2mvy4mrByX7/)_
>
> SAN ANTONIO — By the fourth quarter, both Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson had shaken off their respective mediocrity and snapped on their capes. Game 1, the tone-setter of the NBA Finals, sat available for the taking like a last slice of pizza. And what had been a beautiful struggle between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks evolved into a dramatic climax.
>
> Brunson’s floater in the lane broke an 86-86 tie, and two finger rolls later, he had the visiting Knicks up by eight. [Wembanyama](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7333543/2026/06/04/victor-wembanyama-gregg-popovich-nba-finals/), efforting to mitigate an off night, followed his pull-up 3-pointer in the face of Mitchell Robinson with a driving layup over Karl-Anthony Towns, plus the foul. Another pair of Wembanyama free throws with 2:16 remaining put the Spurs ahead by a point. Because, as he keeps showing, this man is made for moments. Even in a dud by his standards, as he moved like he still hadn’t fully recuperated from silencing the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wembanyama had something for crunch time.
>
> We had what we came for, the percolating tension that gives the NBA Finals its appeal. Dueling titans debuting their greatness on this heightened stage, playing their craft under the greatest pressure they’ve known.
>
> After the Spurs took the lead, Brunson took over one last time. The Knicks’ 6-foot-2 point guard outleaped Spurs wing Devin Vassell — who’s an athletic 6-foot-5 — for an offensive rebound. Brunson tipped it to Mikal Bridges and then relocated to the corner. When Bridges gave it back to Brunson, he was all alone for a corner 3.
>
> Not a single sane soul in Frost Bank Center expected Brunson to miss. And he didn’t.
>
> Clearly sensing the moment, as the 2025 Clutch Player of the Year does, and honoring the opportunity to become legendary, Brunson danced with Vassell seconds later. Everyone knew what was coming, especially the pockets of orange and blue among the Spurs’ pastel faithful. With Brunson’s arsenal of moves, however, there’s mystery in the method. How would he come through this time? To what move would he turn?
>
> “Like the young people say,” Knicks coach Mike Brown explained, “he went to his bag …” and Brunson pulled out the receipt of his greatness. Hard drive right. Crossover left. Spin back right into a stepback. Pump fake and lean in. Brunson saw Wembanyama lurking, so he arced his shot enough to circumvent disruption.
>
> It landed with a swish, a silky dagger in [New York’s 105-95 road win](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7331671/2026/06/03/knicks-spurs-score-game-1-result-takeaways-nba-finals/) to launch whatever new era is forming. It landed with a message. That the Knicks will be a problem for these vaunted Spurs. That this series, guaranteed to make history in some fashion, packs the potential of one we might remember for ages. Because in a battle of superstars, Wembanyama and Brunson have more than a foot between them. But in magnitude, in impact, they’re closer than they appear.
>
> “He’s a gamer, man,” Brown said. “In the biggest moments, he shows up, and that’s what MVPs are supposed to do. We put the ball in his hands and said we are going to live and die with him. And he got it done for us.”
>
> These weren’t banner performances by any means. Brunson needed 31 shots to get 30 points. Wembanyama made only 28.6 percent of his 21 shots but hit 12 of his 13 free throws to produce a respectable 26 points. The former attributable to rust, the latter to the need for rest.
>
> “I expect he’ll learn a lot of things from (Game 1),” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said of Wembanyama, “and come out with a good approach in Game 2.”
>
> But the sparks still flew in Game 1. Their co-stars delivered. The intensity and physicality rose to the occasion. And Knicks fans penetrated San Antonio’s zealous confines and turned up the energy in the arena.
>
> These NBA Finals don’t have the usual ingredients. No reigning MVPs. No championships to defend. No legacies to live up to or June demons to conquer. Only a precious few know the taste of championship champagne. And unless you count the NBA Cup, these two teams don’t have any rivalrous history since before Napster’s prime.
>
> Yet, one game in, these NBA Finals feel like something special brewing, a story being crafted with calligraphic script.
>
> Wembanyama gets a foe worthy of his stratospheric expectations. If he delivers against the hottest team in basketball, against an army of a fanbase, a metropolis of overwhelming proportions, his legacy would launch with luster.
>
> Or, Brunson leads a legion of Knicks fans to levels only known by our fathers and grandfathers. And NBA history gets a new diminutive icon, in the fellowship of Isiah Thomas and Stephen Curry.
>
> Either the Spurs plant the flag on its new dynasty, or the Knicks end a drought that’s lasted long enough for corduroy and vinyls to make a comeback.
>
> “You never know what’s going to happen,” Brunson said. “Plays are going to happen, and you can’t really script what’s really going to go on.”
>
> That’s the beauty of these finals. Nothing about them feels predetermined. Not the outcome. Not the hero. Not the lore that will emerge on the other side.
>
> Wembanyama, either way, will write the opening chapter of the NBA’s latest anchoring superstar. Brunson, either way, has etched himself into the Knicks’ pantheon and into conversations no one ever imagined he’d enter. Neither produced a masterpiece, but both left visible fingerprints in the crafting of their defining series.
>
> If Game 1 proved anything, it’s that the script remains gloriously unfinished. And ever compelling.
By Marcus Thompson II, via [The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7332640/2026/06/04/jalen-brunson-knicks-wembanyana-spurs-nba-finals-game-1/)
---
### 作者：  [@TheAthletic](https://chinaspurs.com/u/TheAthletic)
#### 发布日期： [2026 年6 月 4 日 21:51 UTC](https://chinaspurs.com/t/topic/47196/2 "2026-06-04T21:51:04Z")
# 热评
> [@207177](#):
>
> “如果你的当家球星身材矮小，你是赢不了的。”这是贝基·哈蒙 (Becky Hammon) 在2023年的原话。现在她又说，“如果你的当家球星身材矮小，你无法带领球队夺冠。”现在尼克斯已经打进了总决赛，无论输赢，如果哈蒙能大度地承认自己错了，那将是非常有风度的。NBA球队完全可以在一个矮个子球员的带领下夺冠。
>
> > [@Ene-Mai K.](#):
> >
> > 她说过布伦森可以证明她是错的。在他真正做到之前，确实没什么好说的。
>
> > [@PJ H.](#):
> >
> > @Ene-Mai K. 但他其实已经证明了。她最初的言论是尼克斯不可能成为东部顶尖球队，因为他不是“那个人”（不管这到底是什么意思）。后来她又改口说，因为他太矮了，他们不可能成为NBA的顶级强队之一。现在他们打进了总决赛，她又说他无法带领他们夺冠。她这样不断改变标准，并不能让她的初始言论显得不那么愚蠢（或者不那么业余）。
>
> > [@Brett S.](#):
> >
> > @Ene-Mai K. 说实话，她已经错了。如果尼克斯输掉这个系列赛，绝对不是因为杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson) 太矮。这太荒谬了。看看我们现在走到哪一步了？
>
> > [@Brownie V.](#):
> >
> > 如果马刺输了，是因为文班太高了，还是不够高？
>
> > [@Deg C.](#):
> >
> > 哈哈……她多高来着……1米68（5英尺6英寸）？她在开玩笑吗？那斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 呢？他可不是什么巨人。她还是继续去输她的WNBA总决赛吧。
>
> > [@Eric N.](#):
> >
> > @ 为什么没有人问这个根本性的问题：谁在乎贝基·哈蒙怎么说？
>
> > [@Manco 6.](#):
> >
> > @Ene-Mai K.
> > 我有话要说：1米88（6英尺2英寸）的库里带领勇士夺得了四个总冠军。坐下吧，贝基！
>
> > [@7649494](#):
> >
> > @ 她对库里说了什么？
> [@Michael A.](#):
>
> 精彩的文章，观点非常棒，这个系列赛注定会成为绝对的经典，第一场比赛太精彩了。
>
> > [@2982896](#):
> >
> > @Michael A. 确实写得很好。但是“efforting”（努力/挣扎）这个词？
> [@Danny P.](#):
>
> 像往常一样，媒体总是错误地把焦点放在大牌球星身上。尼克斯这次历史性的季后赛之旅是建立在充满活力和无私的团队配合之上的，这也是他们赢得这个系列赛的方式。
>
> > [@Chris H.](#):
> >
> > @Danny P. 而且我没看到多少人（除了昨晚的巴克利）正确地指出卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns) 才是第一场的MVP。
> [@Cyrus T G.](#):
>
> 伟大的文章。布伦森给我们上了一课，这是每个季后赛我们都会学到的——你需要那些能顶着防守投进高难度强投的球员，以及能在中距离做到这一点的人。
> 三分球和冲击篮框主导了当今的NBA，但在最高水平的对抗中，这些机会都会被限制，你需要像伯纳德·金 (Bernard King)、亚历克斯·英格利什 (Alex English) 和布伦森等等这样的球员。
> [@Anonymous U.](#):
>
> 马刺在下半场只得到了40分。这场胜利归功于防守。
> [@Dave H.](#):
>
> 我仍然不明白，为什么这个系列赛的舆论基调依然是“……尼克斯将给这支备受赞誉的马刺带来麻烦。”
> 在昨晚之前，尼克斯已经连续赢了11场比赛，且净胜分创下了NBA历史之最。现在他们已经取得了12连胜——几乎全是两位数的大胜——还继续把他们当作某种顽强的“灰姑娘”式的下位者，这完全是对客观事实的歪曲。
> 但相信我——作为一个尼克斯球迷，我乐意接受这一点。他们是联盟中势头最猛的球队，同时又被视为需要证明自己的下位者。这是一种强效的催化剂，将对他们在第二场及之后的比赛大有裨益。
> [@Chauncey R.](#):
>
> 就是这句话：“要么马刺插上新王朝的旗帜，要么尼克斯结束一场漫长到让灯芯绒和黑胶唱片都重新流行起来的冠军荒。”马库斯 (Marcus)，你的文章从未让人失望过！！这又是篇杰作。
> [@13027557](#):
>
> 事实是，布伦森做到了他整个赛季一直在做的事。他在关键时刻挺身而出。而另一边，文班亚马在关键时刻隐形了。
> 最后的4分钟属于布伦森，以及现在几乎在预料之中的尼克斯高压防守和针对性进攻。
> 但最能说明问题的是，文班实际上在关键时刻退缩了，在马刺需要得分时，一次又一次地放弃了他最拿手的超远三分。在最关键的时刻，文班显得精疲力竭、头脑发昏、心不在焉。
> 你绝不能把这些词用在布伦森身上。
> 文班亚马未来很可能会成为下一个詹姆斯、奥尼尔、张伯伦或罗宾逊，但他现在还不是。今年他也成不了。
>
> > [@Brownie V.](#):
> >
> > 废话连篇，我们早就知道他那“苦行僧”式的训练了。但在本系列赛中面对对方的“双塔”，他那纤细的身板将面临严峻的考验。尤其是当他们需要他在场上呆更长时间的时候。这可不是常规赛。马刺的体能训练师最好注意一下。
> [@Forrest Z.](#):
>
> MT2（马库斯·汤普森二世）：必读之作。
> [@Brandon L.](#):
>
> 为什么体育媒体都在集体假装文班亚马在最后关头没有拉胯？
> [@Don K.](#):
>
> 谢谢马库斯。很高兴《竞技者》(The Athletic) 足够明智，让你来报道这次总决赛。由于这两支球队耳目一新的风格和鲜明的对比，我很久以来第一次对总决赛产生了浓厚的兴趣。这可能取决于哪位超级巨星能够挺身而出，但看着阿奴诺比 (OG Anunoby)、布里奇斯 (Mikal Bridges) 和哈特 (Josh Hart) 对决瓦塞尔和福克斯，真是一出精彩的大戏。而且哈珀和卡斯尔似乎也为自己的角色做好了准备。
> [@13027557](#):
>
> 马刺在自己的主场被击败了。他们的当家球星在关键时刻退缩了。
> 我注意到那些预测“马刺4场或5场晋级”的球迷现在无话可说了。他们什么也说不出来。我们大家都看在眼里。
> 而布伦森当然打出了他一贯的水准。他运筹帷幄，带走了一场胜利。
> [@6904271](#):
>
> 没错——“史诗般”。这年头有什么东西不是“史诗般”的。
> [@16238115](#):
>
> 尼克斯已经赢下这个系列赛了。马刺毫无胜算。
_由生成式 AI 翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。_
> **点击查看原文：**
>
> #
>
> > [@207177](#):
> >
> > “If your best player is small, you are not winning.” That is Becky Hammon’s original quote in 2023. Now she is saying, “if your best player is small, you cannot lead a time to the championship.” Now that the Knicks are in the finals, win or lose, it would be classy if Hammon said she was wrong. An NBA team can win with a small player leading them.
> >
> > > [@Ene-Mai K.](#):
> > >
> > > She has said Brunson can prove her wrong. Until he does, there isn’t much else to say.
> >
> > > [@PJ H.](#):
> > >
> > > @Ene-Mai K. He already has though. Her original comment was that the Knicks couldn’t be a top team in the east because he wasn’t “a dude” whatever that means. She then later went back and said they couldn’t be one of the top teams in the NBA because he’s too small. Now that they made the finals she’s saying he can’t lead them to a title. Her moving the goalposts doesn’t make her original comment any less idiotic (or less unprofessional).
> >
> > > [@Brett S.](#):
> > >
> > > @Ene-Mai K. tbh, she’s already wrong. if the knicks lose the series, its not because Jalen Brunson is too short. Thats absurd. Look where we are?
> >
> > > [@Brownie V.](#):
> > >
> > > If the Spurs lose, will it be because Wemby was too tall or not tall enough?
> >
> > > [@Deg C.](#):
> > >
> > > Lol…she’s what…5’ 6"? Is she kidding? What about Steph Curry? He’s no giant. She should stick to losing WNBA finals.
> >
> > > [@Eric N.](#):
> > >
> > > @ why is no one asking the fundamental question: WHO CARES what Becky Hammon says?
> >
> > > [@Manco 6.](#):
> > >
> > > @Ene-Mai K.
> > > I have something to say: 6’ 2" Steph Curry led the Warriors to FOUR championships. Sit down Becky!
> >
> > > [@7649494](#):
> > >
> > > @ what did she say about Steph Curry?
>
> > [@Michael A.](#):
> >
> > Wonderful read and really nice points, this series is shaping up to be an absolute classic, and game 1 was fantastic.
> >
> > > [@2982896](#):
> > >
> > > @Michael A. It is a good read. But "efforting?
>
> > [@Danny P.](#):
> >
> > As usual, media focuses wrongheadedly on the big names. Knicks have built this historic run on dynamic and selfless team play and that’s how they will win this series
> >
> > > [@Chris H.](#):
> > >
> > > @Danny P. And I’m not seeing many people (besides Barkley last night) correctly stating that KAT was the MVP of game 1.
>
> > [@Cyrus T G.](#):
> >
> > Great article. Brunson teaches us a lesson we learn every playoffs - you need guys who can make tough contested shots and a guy who can do this in the mid-range.
> > 3 pt shooting and rim attacks rule the NBA but at the highest levels all of these shots dry up and you need Bernard King, Alex English, Jalen Brunson, etc. etc.
>
> > [@Anonymous U.](#):
> >
> > The Spurs scored 40 points in second half. This victory was due to defense.
>
> > [@Dave H.](#):
> >
> > I am still not sure why the narrative of this series is still landing at “…the Knicks will be a problem for these vaunted Spurs.”
> > Coming into last night, the Knicks had won eleven straight games by a larger margin that any other team in NBA history. Now that they have won 12 straight - nearly all by double digits - continuing to treat them like some plucky Cinderella underdog is a misrepresentation of the facts on the ground.
> > But trust me - as a Knicks fan I will take it. They are the hottest team in the The Association AND the perceived underdog with something to prove at the same time. That’s a potent cocktail that will serve them well in Game 2 and beyond.
>
> > [@Chauncey R.](#):
> >
> > This sentence right here: “Either the Spurs plant the flag on its new dynasty, or the Knicks end a drought that’s lasted long enough for corduroy and vinyls to make a comeback.” Marcus you never disappoint in your write ups!! This is another great one.
>
> > [@13027557](#):
> >
> > The fact is that Brunson did was he has been doing all season. He stepped up at crunch time. On the other side, Wembanyama disappeared at crunch time.
> > The last 4 minutes belonged to Brunson and the now almost expected Knick ratchet-down defense and exploitative offense.
> > But most telling was how Wemby actually shrunk away from the moment, passing up his money long 3s again and again when the Spurs needed a score. Wemby was exhausted and dizzy and absent when it counted most.
> > You cannot say that about Jalen Brunson.
> > Wembanyama will likely be the next Lebron or Shaq or Wilt of Robinson, but he is not that yet. And he won’t be that this year either.
> >
> > > [@Brownie V.](#):
> > >
> > > Yadda, yadda we already know about his monk training. But going up against TWO bigs in this series, his spindly frame is going to be seriously tested. Especially when they want him on the floor longer. This isn’t the regular season. Spurs conditioners better take note.
>
> > [@Forrest Z.](#):
> >
> > MT2: Appointment reading.
>
> > [@Brandon L.](#):
> >
> > Why is the sports media collectively acting like Wembenyama didn’t choke down the stretch
>
> > [@Don K.](#):
> >
> > Thanks Marcus. I’m glad that TA has the good sense to have you covering these Finals. I am intrigued for the first time in a while because of the refreshing styles and contrrasts of these teams. It may come down to which superstar arises, but watching OG, Bridges and Hart vs. Vassell and Fox makes great theater. And Harper along with Castle seem ready for their roles.
>
> > [@13027557](#):
> >
> > The Spurs got got in their own house. Their star backed away in crunch time.
> > I notice that the Spurs In 4 or 5 fans have nothing to say. They can’t say anything. We all saw it.
> > And Brunson certainly did have his usual game. He orchestrated a win.
>
> > [@6904271](#):
> >
> > Right - “epic”. What isn’t “epic” these days.
>
> > [@16238115](#):
> >
> > Knicks already won this. Spurs has no chance of winning.
via [The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7332640/2026/06/04/jalen-brunson-knicks-wembanyana-spurs-nba-finals-game-1/#comments)