\n<\/p>\n
The Knicks trailed by 10 points with less than eight minutes left before Brunson scored 10 unanswered points to tie the game at 83-83.<\/p>\n
He scored with just over a minute remaining to put the Knicks 90-88 up, and Josh Hart and OG Anunoby free throws extended the lead to four points.<\/p>\n
Although Victor Wembanyana missed a three-pointer for the Spurs, Stephon Castle’s dunk brought them back to 92-90 with 16 seconds remaining.<\/p>\n
A free throw from Mikal Bridges and Anunoby either side of Dylan Harper’s two missed attempts for the Spurs sealed a memorable victory for the Knicks.<\/p>\n
Bridges and Hart – Brunson’s team-mates from Villanova University – scored a combined 27 points, with Bridges contributing 14 and Hart 13 points and 11 rebounds.<\/p>\n
Harper finished with 25 points off the bench for the Spurs, while Wembanyama registered 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.<\/p>\n
The Spurs became the first team to lead five finals games by at least 10 points in the first quarter.<\/p>\n
“We weren’t ready. I wasn’t ready to win a ring – that’s clear,” Wembanyana said.<\/p>\n
“We’re not lacking in talent or ability, but we make too many mistakes. I make too many mistakes.”<\/p>\n
Wembanyana, the NBA’s defensive player of the year, conceded a turnover and a foul on Brunson in the final 10 seconds of game two as the Knicks snatched a 105-104 victory,<\/a> although his 32 points helped the Spurs win game three 115-111.<\/a><\/p>\n “This is the biggest lesson of my life – the biggest learning moment,” he said.<\/p>\n “It’s painful but I’m not running away from that. I’m using it to fuel me. I’m not satisfied with not winning.<\/p>\n “As a team, there’s no better experience than what we just lived.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n