Game 1 of the NBA Finals is in the books, and the San Antonio Spurs might be too tired to win a championship. Despite Victor Wembanyama’s heroics during the postseason, the New York Knicks’ advantage in minutes played looks like it may be too much for the Western Conference champions to overcome. The Spurs looked tired in the fourth quarter, as they couldn’t get the stops they needed late. A long playoff run for an inexperienced team could mean a long off-season for a San Antonio team that’s as talented as any in the NBA.
The Spurs Are Coming Off A Grueling Playoff Run
The Spurs have not had a cakewalk to the Finals (unlike their Eastern Conference counterpart). They began their playoff run with a 4-1 series win against a talented but young Blazers squad. Wembanyama was tremendous in the series, averaging 21 points, 8.8 rebounds, and four blocks per game. Portland’s Scoot Henderson exploded for 31 points in their Game 2 win, but the depth of San Antonio proved to be too much to overcome. The Western Conference champions passed their first test of the postseason, but not getting a first round sweep was surprising to most fans.
The Western Conference Semifinals proved to be more challenging for San Antonio, with the Timberwolves forcing a Game 6 before losing the series. Wembanyama averaged a double-double per game against Minnesota, and Stephon Castle led the way with 20 points per contest. The T’Wolves were more efficient beyond the arc in their Game 1 win, and the story was the same in their Game 4 victory. The Spurs were ultimately the more complete team, with the Timberwolves being a player two away from being an elite team in the West.
San Antonio’s long, emotional series against Oklahoma City was an all-time clash between the two best teams in the NBA. Wembanyama played his best basketball of the season, averaging 27.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, in an effort to match the play of league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With the teams boasting top-tier defenses, the series boiled down to who can be more efficient with their offensive possessions. In Game 7, the edge went to the Spurs, who shot .455 from the field compared to the Thunder’s .446 shooting percentage.
What Does This Mean For The NBA Finals?
While San Antonio was grinding out tough series wins in the Western Conference, New York was one of the most well-rested teams going into the NBA Finals in recent memory. They are coming off back-to-back sweeps of Philadelphia and Cleveland, and they were a couple made baskets away from sweeping Atlanta in the first round. Their easy path to the Finals is a wild contrast to the Spurs’ journey. The disparity in minutes played between the Knicks and the Spurs is a massive deal, and was a key factor in Game 1, with Jalen Brunson dropping 13 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
The Spurs may be a more complete team, but there’s little that a team can do when the opponent has a vast wear-and-tear advantage. The youth of the Western Conference champions doesn’t matter when bodies can’t hold up late in games, and the inexperience of San Antonio could play into New York’s hands. Second-year coach Mitch Johnson has a difficult challenge ahead, as he tries to get more out of a team that may not have much left in the tank. The series win against OKC was Wembanyama’s arrival to the NBA’s elite, but fans might have to wait to crown him as a champion for at least another year.
