Decrease seed on the highway shocks greater seed at residence in Sport 1. It’s a story as previous as time (e.g., The 2003 playoffs when the quantity 8 seeded Phoenix Suns stole Sport 1 on the highway in opposition to the number one seeded San Antonio Spurs). They are saying a playoff sequence really doesn’t begin till somebody loses at residence. Properly, contemplate this playoff sequence began!
Dylan Harper led the crew with 18 factors, plugging in whereas Stephon Citadel battled foul bother. Victor Wembanyama notched a triple-double with 11 factors, 15 bards, and 12(!) blocks.
This ambiance regarded enjoyable. Appeared nearly collegiate-like vitality.
Victor Wembanyama was on a warpath within the paint on Monday night time. The 12 blocks represented probably the most all-time in a playoff sport. That’s the brand new benchmark, Victor. Let’s go for 13+ subsequent sport out and a minimum of triple that quantity in factors (insert Cheshire grin right here).
Stephon Citadel shot effectively from downtown in Sport 1, draining 3 out of 5 makes an attempt. Who is aware of, perhaps if he was capable of play a minimum of 35 minutes, might have been 4 out of 6 or 5 out of seven. Appears a disgrace that your second-best participant couldn’t keep on the ground for a minimum of half-hour due to some circumstances outdoors of his management (and others inside his management, however principally loads outdoors of his management).
Am I biased? Sure. Am I (most likely) improper? Additionally sure (most likely). Am I coping? Sure, however that’s why they play the sport, babyyy (learn that in your finest Dick Vitale voice).
De’Aaron Fox with the good dish to search out Dylan Harper for the dunk. Fox led the crew with 6 assists in a slug fest the place each groups discovered issue discovering any offensive rhythm. My spouse stated I ought to say one thing good in regards to the officiating. So if she asks, I did—it’s someplace on this paragraph when you look shut sufficient. It’s factor she doesn’t learn my articles except I ask her to.
OK no extra coping. It’s a highlights article for Tim Duncan’s sake. Let’s focus up like Wembanyama was centered up on protection for this complete possession the place he received two blocks in a row.
Regardless that I’ve watched this crew all 12 months, the elevated minutes within the playoffs for Dylan Harper has made me actually discover how easy his sport is across the rim.
Working example, Harper going coast-to-coast for a left-handed (his dominant hand) lay-in on the precise aspect of the rim to guard it from would-be blockers. He makes it appears so easy and fluid.
In case you instructed me again in 2016 that in ten years I’ll be watching two Frenchmen battle one another within the playoffs, I’d assume you meant Tony Parker and Boris Diaw as a result of I like these guys. I’d nonetheless watch them play as we speak, however I think Diaw is off the grid someplace doing most attention-grabbing man on the planet issues like stealing the Declaration of Independence or the Magna Carta, as a result of not every little thing on the planet revolves across the U.S.—except it’s the NBA playoffs.
Wembanyama arrange this good transition bucket with a volleyball swat on the defensive finish. Citadel scoops up the stays of that poor swatted ball and finds Fox for the flush. Nobody requested me, however when you requested me, if these three rating only a bit extra in Sport 2, I just like the Spurs’ possibilities.
Blocks aren’t simple. Even in case you are as tall as a tree, the timing and athleticism required to swat a shot with out hitting your opponent’s arm/hand/elbow/appendages used to sort out some Mandalorian fan fiction is tough as it’s, a lot much less doing it 12 instances in a playoff sport.
Shout out to my spouse who didn’t roll her eyes or have me sleep on the sofa whereas I used to be watching the Spurs on our anniversary. To be truthful, she knew what she was signing up for seven years in the past after I advised naming our daughter Bruce Bowen.
In case you missed the sport since you had been too busy researching the variety of child ladies named Bruce Bowen, listed below are the full-game highlights:
Subsequent up, the Spurs stay at residence in opposition to the Timberwolves for Sport 2 on Wednesday, Might 6, 2026.
