Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks said it doesn’t feel different being one win away from the NBA championship, using the phrase “zero-zero” to emphasize that only Game 5 matters.
During a Friday media session, Brunson was asked if the atmosphere had changed after the Knicks took a 3-1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs. Brunson, who has averaged 24.8 points in the 2024 NBA Finals, responded with a clear focus on the task ahead.
“I think whenever you win or lose a game that night you're going to think about it,” Brunson said. “You think about the things you've done well or what you did wrong. I've always told myself when you wake up the next day it's time to turn the page.”
The Knicks’ Game 4 win was a dramatic comeback, overcoming a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 112-107. Brunson led the way with 28 points and seven assists, including a crucial 3-pointer with 1:12 remaining that put New York ahead for good.
Brunson stressed the importance of learning from the previous game. “Yes, we won, but we still have a lot of work to do,” he said. “We have a lot to learn. We didn't play our best basketball.”
The Knicks have outscored opponents by an average of 10.2 points per game in the playoffs, but they struggled in Game 4 with only 38 points in the first half. San Antonio’s defense forced 14 turnovers in that half, but New York’s resilience in the second half turned the game around.
Brunson’s comments reflect the Knicks’ approach to the Finals. Despite their 3-1 lead, head coach Tom Thibodeau has emphasized a game-by-game mindset. The Spurs, meanwhile, are focused on regrouping after their first loss of the series.
The Knicks are now one win from their first NBA title since 1973. They will host Game 5 on Sunday at Madison Square Garden, where they have gone 10-0 in the 2024 playoffs. The Spurs will need a home-court advantage in Game 6, if necessary, as they seek to avoid elimination.
The series is set to conclude with Game 5 tipping off at 8:30 PM ET. The winner will hoist the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
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