The New York Knicks are determined to end their 53-year championship drought as they face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday (Sunday, June 14, Philippine time). With a commanding 3-1 series lead, the Knicks aim to finally put the Spurs to sleep and capture their first title since 1973.
Historic comeback fuels Knicks' morale
The Knicks carry high morale following their historic win at Madison Square Garden in Game 4, where they rallied from a 29-point deficit to secure the series lead. Just one more victory is all they need to quench their long championship thirst. To put that drought into perspective, the retired coach and 11-time champion Phil Jackson was still a player on that 1973 championship team. Jackson was a bench player back then for a Knicks squad led by Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, and Willis Reed.
Knicks face tough challenge on Spurs' homecourt
However, this mission won't be easy for Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and the rest of the Knicks' forces as they head back to the Frost Bank Center, the homecourt of the Spurs. Brunson has repeatedly emphasized that even though they lead the series, their mentality remains as if it's tied since the mission isn't finished yet.
"Our mentality has to be 0-0, the way it's been," said Brunson in an NBA article. "It has to be that way, and I feel like us moving forward with that mindset can really benefit us. There's nothing to celebrate. It's not over yet, not even close."
Spurs refuse to lose hope
Meanwhile, Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama said the series can only go one of two ways, and they will continue to grind until it is over. "One of two ways. A bad one and a good one. The bad one would be giving up. The good one would be getting stronger through this, getting more together. I know this is what we're going to do," he said.
If the Knicks franchise secures the victory, they will avenge their loss to the Spurs in the 1999 NBA Finals, while a Spurs win will stretch the series to a Game 6 back at Madison Square Garden.
