Jalen Brunson
29.8 PPG · 7.2 APG · 47% FG
The clutch-time scorer of the playoffs. Lives in the mid-range pocket nobody guards well anymore — now he draws Stephon Castle's length.
All contenders
NYK
New York
Knicks
New York stole Game 1 on the road, 105-95, erasing a 14-point deficit behind Jalen Brunson's 30. The Knicks lead the Finals 1-0, have grabbed home-court advantage back, and now sit as the betting favorites to end a 53-year title drought — three wins from their first championship since 1973.
Title odds
56.2%
Moneyline
-140
Regular season
55-27
Last title
1973
Who decides it
The three names that have to play like themselves — and the x-factor who tips it either way.
OG Anunoby
Wing stopper
16.3 PPG · 5.1 RPG · 1.9 SPG
Drew the SGA assignment all season and now inherits the impossible Wembanyama chase. New York's most important defender.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Floor-spacing big
24.5 PPG · 12.8 RPG · 41% 3PT
His perimeter shooting is the lever that drags Wemby out of the paint. If KAT hits, the Knicks' ceiling is the trophy.
The path to the trophy
What has to happen — and the one thing that could blow it all up.
The path
- 1Protect the 1-0 lead and the home-court edge they just stole
- 2Drag Wembanyama out of the paint with KAT's shooting
- 3Brunson keeps closing — two more nuclear nights at the Garden
Biggest risk
Wembanyama. He went for 26 and 12 in Game 1 and the Spurs still have him for six more games. New York's path runs straight through the best player in the series.
Net rating in the playoffs
+8.2
Stole Game 1 in San Antonio — riding a 12-game playoff win streak
Best three-point rate in the playoffs (40.0%) and the stingiest perimeter D
Took home-court advantage and now sit as title favorites