Spurs scoring by quarter: 41, 35, 14. One of these things is not like the other.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 90-75 Knicks, 11:46, 4th qtr: The Knicks will challenge a possession call, arguing that the ball last touched Wemby. The officials agree.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>End 3rd quarter: Spurs 90-75 Knicks<\/p>\n A messy sequence for the Knicks on offense, but then Towns defends well (and cleanly) against Wemby at the buzzer.<\/p>\n The Knicks outscored the Spurs 26-14 in that quarter, and they\u2019re still down 15.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 90-75 Knicks, 0:35, 3rd qtr: Anunoby puts up a 3. It hits the front rim, taps the backboard and falls through.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 90-72 Knicks, 1:21, 3rd qtr: After a timeout, the Knicks score on an alley-oop from Brunson to Robinson.<\/p>\n Fox and Wemby both miss 3s. Wemby misses again. The Spurs\u2019 shooting has regressed to the mean in a way that is probably ripping a hole in the time-space continuum.<\/p>\n Never mind \u2013 Vassell hits one, and the lead is 18 again.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 87-70 Knicks, 2:58, 3rd qtr: Brunson gets caught in traffic and is fouled. He alertly flings up an off-balance shot, and it goes. He adds the free throw.<\/p>\n Harper\u2019s just too good. He drives, pulls back, spins, hits the baseline jumper.<\/p>\n Brunson answers again. He has 27.<\/p>\n Harper shoots an airball. That\u2019s a shocker.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 85-65 Knicks, 4:10, 3rd qtr: Again, the Knicks are forced to a bad shot as the shot clock nears 0. The next time down the court, they rush and take a bad shot.<\/p>\n Wemby is back in. Towns picks up his fourth foul as Harper drives. The rookie hits both free throws, and the lead is once again 20.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 81-65 Knicks, 5:15, 3rd qtr: But the basic problem for New York is simple \u2013 the Spurs are getting better shots than they are. The Knicks settle for bad shots on two straight possessions. It\u2019s a good thing for them that the Spurs have cooled off dramatically.<\/p>\n Wemby takes a seat.<\/p>\n Hart hits a 3. Lead is down to 16.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 81-62 Knicks, 6:45, 3rd qtr: Wemby makes a kick save to stop a New York fast break.<\/p>\n Towns works inside, but his shot falls away.<\/p>\n Spurs miss. Anunoby hits a 3. That\u2019s 10 straight for the Knicks, and the crowd has returned to life.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 81-59 Knicks, 8:23, 3rd qtr: Towns hits both free throws.<\/p>\n Good defensive sequence for the Knicks, and Anunoby dunks in transition on a sweet feed from Josh Hart.<\/p>\n Champagnie misses. Brunson doesn\u2019t. Timeout Spurs.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Review says \u2026 says \u2026 says \u2026 there\u2019s a lot of conversation on the referees\u2019 headsets.<\/p>\n Finally, the announcement. Flagrant 1.<\/p>\n Once again, it\u2019s worth asking whether Wemby should sit out for a while. He\u2019s one step away from a suspension.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 81-52 Knicks, 9:27, 3rd qtr: Castle slams into Brunson. Offensive foul. His fourth. Can the Knicks make any headway while he\u2019s out? Am I asking rhetorical questions in an effort to instill some drama? What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?<\/p>\n Well, HERE\u2019S some drama \u2013 Wemby just elbowed Towns in the face near midcourt. They\u2019re reviewing, probably to see what level of flagrant foul it is.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 79-52 Knicks, 10:09, 3rd qtr: Vassell was 5-for-5 in the first half, 4-for-4 from 3-point range. He misses his first shot of the half.<\/p>\n Anunoby hits a 3. But Wemby hits a 3, and the lead is still \u2026 breaks out calculator \u2026 27.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019re back.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> The Wu-Tang Clan have just performed a lively half-time show \u2013 six of them at least, which qualifies as a quorum. Frankly, the Garden could use the lift. The Spurs have turned a sold-out crowd of feral Knicks fans from a roaring mob into anxious bystanders, with every attempted chant from the upper deck quickly swallowed by the reality on the scoreboard.<\/p>\n Setlist wise, it was a breezy four-minute trip through Bring da Ruckus, Wu-Tang Clan Ain\u2019t Nuthing ta F\u2019 Wit, Method Man and CREAM \u2013 all off their epochal studio debut. \u201cKnicks in five,\u201d declared Method Man before leaving the floor. That\u2019s going to require some heavy lifting.<\/p>\n The Rza performs with the Wu-Tang Clan at half-time of Game 4. Photograph: Al Bello\/Getty ImagesThe Wu-Tang Clan perform during the Game 4 half-time show at Madison Square Garden. Photograph: Dustin Satloff\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.21 EDT<\/p>\n The biggest question the Spurs may face in the second half is when to pull Wemby from the action. We\u2019re talking about a player who has a rather extensive injury history for someone so young. Should the Spurs just apply the bubble wrap sooner rather than later?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Halftime: Spurs 76-49 Knicks<\/p>\n Wemby plays volleyball with himself and scores. Brunson answers \u2013 he has 19 points, which would be great under most other circumstances.<\/p>\n Harper hits the Spurs\u2019 14th 3-pointer. Wemby misses on the next possession.<\/p>\n Another miss at each end, and the first half is brought to a merciful end before a silent crowd. Call it Mausoleum Square Garden.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 71-43 Knicks, 2:26, 2nd qtr: Bench points so far: San Antonio 19, New York 2.<\/p>\n Wemby misses a 3-pointer. Someone had to miss at some point.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 69-42 Knicks, 3:19, 2nd qtr: Harper with a drive. Harper with a 3. The Spurs have hit 13 of 21 attempts from behind the arc. That\u2019s what you might see in an All-Star weekend 3-point contest with no defense.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 64-40 Knicks, 4:19, 2nd qtr: Anunoby hits free throws. Fox hits a turnaround jumper. The Spurs have cooled off, though. Now they\u2019re only shooting 62%. Instead of being supernatural territory, that\u2019s merely in the \u201crarely seen with mortal players\u201d category.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 62-38 Knicks, 5:09, 2nd qtr: Wemby is tied up, forcing a jump ball. It\u2019s batted around. The Spurs\u2019 shot clock runs down. They fling it to Vassell in desperation. He hits the Spurs\u2019 12th 3-pointer.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m unable to connect to Bluesky. I\u2019ll just assume everyone is leaving witty comments.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 59-38 Knicks, 6:10, 2nd qtr: The Spurs commit their first turnover, more than 17 minutes into the game. Brunson gets a quick layup. Castle misses a layup, and Brunson once again races into transition and scores. Timeout Spurs. No need to sit back and let the Knicks gather momentum here if you\u2019re Spurs coach Mitch Johnson.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n No basket for Brunson. Mitchell Robinson goes to the line, a sight that should only be broadcast with disclaimers. He misses both.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We have a review. Mitchell Robinson is fouled off the ball around the same time that Brunson launches a 3-pointer that falls in sweetly. Did Brunson get the shot off before Robinson was fouled?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 59-34 Knicks, 7:00, 2nd qtr: Jordan Clarkson has entered for the Knicks. He gets a wide-open look for 3 and misses, but after a turnover, he drives 1-on-1 and scores.<\/p>\n Towns gets called for his third foul.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.46 EDT<\/p>\n Spurs 57-32 Knicks, 8:26, 2nd qtr: Brunson misses, but Towns fights for an offensive rebound and gets the ball in the hoop while being held. He adds a free throw. Knicks fans have to wonder if things would\u2019ve been different if Towns had been around for most of the game so far.<\/p>\n Brunson finally scores, but Harper hits the Spurs\u2019 ninth 3-pointer. McBride misses for New York. Carter Bryant hits the Spurs\u2019 10th 3-pointer. Brunson hits a difficult floater. Champagnie hits the Spurs\u2019 11th 3-pointer.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.47 EDT<\/p>\n Spurs 47-25 Knicks, 10:45, 2nd qtr: An Anunoby 3 gives the Knicks a tiny glimmer of light, but Fox hits a pair of 3s in short order, and Jose Alvarado gets caught in a shoving battle with Wemby. Foul on Alvarado, and they\u2019ll review to see if it\u2019s a flagrant foul. For once, a replay favors the Knicks, and the foul isn\u2019t upgraded.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.47 EDT<\/p>\n End 1st quarter: Spurs 41-20 Knicks<\/p>\n Yes \u2013 that\u2019s 41 points.<\/p>\n The dubious call to give Towns his second foul certainly rattled the Knicks, but to give the Spurs credit, they\u2019ve been spectacular on offense. They\u2019re shooting 65% from the field, including 6-of-10 3-point attempts.<\/p>\n And Wemby is fast becoming a national villain. The 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics should be interesting.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 39-20 Knicks, 0:41, 1st qtr: The Knicks scramble to get an open look, and Miles McBride gets it. He misses badly.<\/p>\n Wemby takes the ball at the top of the arc, then drives and pivots past Robinson. As they travel to the other end of the court, Wemby trash-talks in his ear. Robinson puts a forearm up near Wemby\u2019s neck. You can only do that if you\u2019re Wemby, not if you\u2019re fouling Wemby. Officials review it and upgrade it to a flagrant foul. Spike Lee looks extremely unhappy.<\/p>\n Jeremy Sochan now gets the task of guarding Wemby.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 35-20 Knicks, 1:50, 1st qtr: Towns is back in, and he hits the single free throw after the Spurs are called for a defensive three-seconds infraction.<\/p>\n To even things out, the Knicks commit their own defensive three-seconds infraction.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 32-19 Knicks, 2:44, 1st qtr: Mitchell Robinson goes to the free throw line, which is always an adventure. He puts up two line drives that clank off the iron.<\/p>\n Kornet blatantly goaltends. No whistle. Wemby gets away with a possible offensive goaltending. The officiating in this first quarter has been diabolical. And as is so often the case, the team getting the better of the calls is also playing out of their minds.<\/p>\n New York fans are making their displeasure known, which may account for some the glitches in the audio.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.12 EDT<\/p>\n Spurs 30-17 Knicks, 4:00, 1st qtr: Wemby decides to clear everyone out and shoot again from long range, but he misses this one. He gets a block at the other end and Keldon Johnson gets a layup, but the Spurs lose track of Mikal Bridges, who puts up a 3.<\/p>\n Wemby will take a break. Luke Kornet is in.<\/p>\n And De\u2019Aaron Fox makes a 3. The Spurs have made six of eight 3-point attempts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> In less than three minutes, Madison Square Garden has gone from a powder keg of noise and anticipation to a building crackling with nervous energy as the Spurs race to an early 12-2 lead. Karl-Anthony Towns picked up two early fouls, including one overturned on a successful Spurs challenge, and is already headed to the bench.<\/p>\n Seated at courtside for tonight\u2019s game, as you might have overheard, is the recording artist Taylor Swift alongside close friends Alana and Este Haim. The Knicks celebrity cam puts Swift on the jumbotron during the break, ignoring the Haims entirely. Justice for the Haims!<\/p>\n Taylor Swift attends Game 4 of the NBA finals along with Alana and Este Haim. Photograph: Frank Franklin II\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 25-12 Knicks, 5:37, 1st qtr: And the Knicks fall back into terrible offensive movement. Or lack thereof. Bridges gets stuck with the ball in the middle of the lane, can\u2019t find a passing option, and has to launch an off-balance shot.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Spurs can\u2019t miss. Castle hits a 3. Vassell hits a 3.<\/p>\n Third-string Knicks center Ariel Hukporti enters for the winded Mitchell Robinson.<\/p>\n And Wemby hits a 3.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 14-10 Knicks, 7:51, 1st qtr: The Knicks are fighting back. After a good defensive stop, Josh Hart drives against Champagnie and converts both the layup and the free throw.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 12-5 Knicks, 8:38, 1st qtr: In any case \u2013 the Knicks have completely lost composure. They can\u2019t hit any- \u2026<\/p>\n Anunoby hits a 3.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I have great sympathy for referees because I do it myself. If I can\u2019t see fouls clearly when keeping an eye on 11-year-old soccer players, then I can understand how referees can miss something in the chaos of 10 large athletes scrapping for possession of a basketball.<\/p>\n But I\u2019m astounded how often referees look at a replay and make calls that are \u2026 idiosyncratic? Every now and then, especially in soccer, there\u2019s a logical explanation that commentators miss because soccer commentators generally don\u2019t keep up with changes to the Laws to the Game, and IFAB literally changes the Laws every year. But the reversal to put the foul on Towns rather than Wemby is not a rule change. It\u2019s just looking at a blue dress and seeing a black dress, or whatever the viral image was.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 12-2 Knicks, 9:16, 1st qtr: Vassell hits another 3. Champagnie steals a pass from Josh Hart and drives for the breakaway dunk. That\u2019ll teach the PA announcer to pause when reading off the lineup.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Mitchell Robinson replaces Towns, who is now charged with his second foul.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t get it in the least. Wemby is claiming Towns pulled his arm. Towns and about 99% of the USA would see it as Wemby grabbing Towns and not letting go.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The call is overturned. I await an explanation.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 5-2 Knicks, 10:55, 1st qtr: Definitely not what the Knicks wanted at the outset \u2013 a foul on Karl-Anthony Towns, the big man who battled Wemby to a standstill in the first two games of the series. De\u2019Aaron Fox hits both free throws.<\/p>\n Towns hits a nice floater at the other end to equalize. Darius Vassell smoothly hits a 3-pointer to restore the Spurs lead.<\/p>\n And now we have a talking point. Wemby mauls Towns as his nemesis drives to the hoop. Foul Wemby, right? Well, we\u2019re getting a challenge.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs 0-0 Knicks, 11:59, 1st qtr: After Taylor Swift blows a kiss to the camera, we have tipoff. Referee Zach Zarba is in his 23rd season. Spurs win the tip.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m a connoisseur of pregame hype videos, and I missed Game 3, so I\u2019m interested in seeing what happens here.<\/p>\n The announcer paused when announcing Julian Champagnie in the Spurs\u2019 starting lineup, as if trying to remember who he was.<\/p>\n Looks like the theme is to mix game highlights with images of Knicks players being as tall as buildings in Manhattan. It\u2019s not bad, but someone should really tell pregame producers that just because you can do something with your video editing software doesn\u2019t mean you should.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>RZA of Wu-Tang Clan performs in March in London. Photograph: Simone Joyner\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Performing at halftime: Wu-Tang Clan.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We have a correct answer on the trivia quiz from Neon Thotsky at Bluesky<\/a>, who illustrates the point with a dramatic photo.<\/p>\n In mere words: Cleveland Cavaliers over Golden State Warriors, 2016. That was the Cleveland team with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving co-existing while Kevin Love gathered rebounds.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Have we ever seen a year with so many close games in both the NBA<\/a> and NHL finals?<\/p>\n Last year, four of the seven games were decided by double digits. The year before that, the Celtics won three games in resounding fashion, lost Game 4 by 38 points, then won Game 5 by 18.<\/p>\n This year, the 10-point margin in Game 1 is deceptive. The Knicks barely eked out the lead late and then padded the margin in the last minute. Game 2 came down to a potential buzzer-beater that missed. Game 3 was still in doubt in the final seconds.<\/p>\n Over in the NHL, the first three games were decided by one goal, two of them in overtime. Last night, Jordan Staal\u2019s belly-flop backhand<\/a> put the Hurricanes up by one with 6:32 left, and Carolina didn\u2019t put the game away until getting an empty-netter with 55 seconds left.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Trivia quiz \u2026<\/p>\n How many teams have faced a 3-1 deficit in the NBA<\/a> Finals and gone on to win?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n How am I supposed to follow Chuck D? Or, as he was called in his memorable appearance on NewsRadio, \u201cMr. D.\u201d<\/p>\n Will we see yet another game that goes down to the wire? Will a home team win any of these games? Which new celebrities will be courtside? Let\u2019s find out \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime here\u2019s Public Enemy frontman Chuck D\u2019s take<\/a> on what\u2019s becoming one of the more compelling NBA finals in recent memory.<\/p>\n![\"Bryan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Bryan-Armen-Graham,-L.png\")
Bryan Armen Graham<\/p>\nBryan Armen Graham<\/p>\n