On Tuesday, the NBA Finals media day took place in San Antonio as the upcoming series between the Spurs and Knicks approaches, with Game 1 scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson appeared at Frost Bank Arena without a cast after undergoing surgery last week for a hand injury officially identified as a fractured fifth metacarpal. Knicks coach Mike Brown declined to elaborate on Robinson’s condition, and he was not made available to the media. During a portion of practice open to reporters, Robinson wore a wrap on his right hand.
Robinson’s injury may pose a challenge for the Knicks, as he has been effective during the playoffs, averaging 5.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 14.2 minutes per game, shooting 73.7% from the floor. His role as a physical interior defender is crucial, especially with the expectation of a tough matchup against Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama.
During his media appearance, Wembanyama expressed some concern about the Spurs’ ability to shift focus from their recent victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. “Coming back down from this is a challenge,” Wembanyama noted, emphasizing the need for the team to remain grounded and centered.
Jordan Clarkson, a guard for the Knicks, reflected on returning to San Antonio, where he had strong childhood ties as a Spurs fan. Clarkson’s father worked with Spurs players, and he described the experience of being around the energy surrounding the team during the Finals as special. He stated, “Being around to see this energy… it’s a great experience.”
The series will showcase a matchup between Clarkson and Spurs’ Keldon Johnson, both recent winners of the Sixth Man of the Year award. Johnson praised Clarkson, calling him “an amazing player” and “a spark on whatever team he has been on.”
Ticket sales for the Finals have raised concerns, as the Spurs are implementing restrictions to limit ticket purchases primarily to local fans. Knicks supporters have reported difficulties in securing tickets, with some indicating plans to travel to San Antonio for the game. Current prices for Game 1 have dropped below $700, contrasting sharply with future games at Madison Square Garden, where seats are priced at over $4,200.
Source: www.si.com via Google News.
