The San Antonio Spurs came out firing from three-point range in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, building an early double-digit lead over the New York Knicks behind a barrage of outside shooting.
The Spurs made six of their first eight three-point attempts in the opening quarter, with contributions from Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and DeAaron Fox. The hot shooting helped San Antonio race to a 12-2 lead within the first five minutes of play, forcing the Knicks into early foul trouble. Karl-Anthony Towns, who had matched Wembanyama through the first two games of the series, picked up two early fouls and headed to the bench.
The Knicks trailed 30-17 midway through the opening quarter but showed signs of fight with Josh Hart converting a layup and free throw after a defensive stop. Mikal Bridges also connected from three to keep New York in striking distance, though the team struggled with offensive movement and ball movement against the Spurs' aggressive defense.
New York enters Game 4 holding a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-seven matchup. Mitchell Robinson came off the bench for the Knicks, replacing the winded rotation as the team tried to match San Antonio's intensity.
The Spurs' opening quarter performance suggested a team unwilling to let the series slip away on the road. Vassell and Fox each knocked down three-pointers, while Champagnie contributed a breakaway dunk off a steal from Josh Hart's pass.
The game drew significant attention beyond the court. Taylor Swift attended courtside alongside friends Alana and Este Haim. The Knicks' in-arena camera work during a break focused solely on Swift, neglecting to acknowledge her companions.
The Finals has produced several competitive contests so far. Game 1 featured a ten-point Knicks win that came down to late execution. Game 2 nearly decided on a potential buzzer-beater that fell short. Game 3 remained uncertain until the final seconds. The tight margins have made this one of the more compelling Finals matchups in recent memory, contrasting with last year's Finals that saw four games decided by double digits.
Halftime entertainment featured Wu-Tang Clan, continuing the star-studded atmosphere surrounding the series in New York.
Author James Rodriguez: "The Spurs' three-point barrage in the first quarter was exactly what San Antonio needed to steal this game on enemy turf and keep their Finals hopes alive."
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