Here are the top performers on June 4 and the stats to highlight their impact.
BEST PLAYER OF THE DAY:
Victor Wembanyama SAS C 26 PTS | 12 REB | 3 BLK | 49.4 FPS
Overall, Wemby delivered another solid performance, finishing with a complete stat line while also recording his eighth consecutive 20-point outing and his tenth 10-rebound game of the playoffs. Despite that, his struggles were undeniable. He looked really off offensively, shooting just 6-for-21 from the field, including 2-for-9 from three-point range, while also committing six turnovers. The good news, however, is that Wemby rarely has this kind of performance, so a much better showing is likely in Game 2.
BREAKOUT:
Julian Champagnie SAS SF 16 PTS | 10 REB | 1 BLK | 32.5 FPS
This was a highly up-and-down performance for the Spurs’ wing. He was on fire in the first half, converting 5-of-6 attempts from three-point area. However, he cooled down afterward, going 0-for-5 and scoring just a single point. Still, Champagnie has been reliable from three lately, averaging 4.25 threes in his last four games.
SLEEPER:
Landry Shamet NYK SG 13 PTS | 3PM | 1 REB | 14.2 FPS
Shamet continues to get the job done, knocking down 3-of-6 from three-point range in Game 1 which was the fifth time in six games that he has made at least three triples. His three-point shooting will be absolutely crucial for the Knicks in this matchup.
ELITE ASSET:
Jalen Brunson NYK PG 30 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST | 32.6 FPS
Things didn’t go well for Brunson for most of the game. Through the first three quarters, he went 7-for-22 from the field, including a dismal 1-for-8 from three-point range, while also getting banged up several times. However, he powered through it all and took over when it mattered most, scoring 13 crucial points in the fourth quarter to lead his team to the win.
CATEGORY SPECIALIST:
Karl Anthony-Towns NYK C 18 PTS | 12 REB | 4 AST | 39.4 FPS
For most of the game, it was Towns who carried the Knicks’ offense, and that was especially evident in the third quarter where he poured in 10 big points on 4-for-5 shooting. Towns definitely showed today that he can hold his own against Wemby, and if he manages to stay out of foul trouble, then he should be in line for much bigger performances in the games ahead.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Josh Hart NYK SG 15 REB | 6 AST | 4 STL | 45.0 FPS
Offensively, it was a rough outing for Hart, who shot just 1-for-5 from the field to finish with one of his worst scoring games of the playoffs. Everywhere else, however, he was spectacular. He led all players in rebounds and assists, and even matched the entire Spurs’ roster in steals. Certainly, Hart has given the team everything they needed and they will need him to keep impacting the game at this level going forward.
STREAMER:
Dylan Harper SAS SG 16 PTS | 8 REB | 1 STL | 29.1 FPS
Throughout the playoffs, Harper has been reliable more often than not, and he brought that version of himself to Game 1, spearheading the Spurs’ offense with 10 points on 3-for-3 shooting in the first quarter alone. In his last three games, he has really made his impact on both ends, averaging 15.3 points on 63% shooting while adding 7.0 rebounds.
FLOPPER:
De’Aaron Fox SAS PG 7 PTS | 4 REB | 5 AST | 19.3 FPS
For weeks, Fox had been dealing with an ankle injury that had been affecting his performance, and it showed again today, as he finished with his worst game of the playoffs. While he was ineffective for most of the match, he struggled even more in the fourth quarter, going 0-for-2 while committing two turnovers and three fouls. Clearly, his impact will be critical in this series, so the team will need him to shake this performance and be better moving forward.
