The New York Knicks have made a habit of slow starts in the NBA Finals, and Game 5 was no exception. Fans were quick to let them have it on social media as the team stumbled out of the gate once again, scoring a paltry 13 points in the first quarter — tying the second-fewest in an NBA Finals opening quarter since the shot clock was introduced.
With a chance to clinch the championship on the road against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks looked anything but ready. They shot a miserable 4-of-22 from the field in the opening 12 minutes, a performance that had the Madison Square Garden faithful — and basketball fans everywhere — shaking their heads.
“How do the Knicks keep winning? Spurs always look so much better in 1st half. Its crazy,” one user posted on X.
Another fan wrote: “Knicks getting worked early 😭🚨 13 points in a Finals quarter is nasty work 👀🔥🏀.”
Despite the historically bad start, New York managed to claw its way back and enter the halftime break trailing by just five points, 47-42. That resilience — or perhaps sheer luck — has been a recurring theme throughout the series. As one fan put it: “Knicks really had a ‘delete the footage’ first quarter in an elimination closeout game 😭 And somehow only went into half down 5.”
According to ESPN Insights, the 13-point first quarter is tied for the second-fewest in an NBA Finals opening quarter of the shot-clock era. The Spurs have now held a double-digit lead in the first quarter of all five games in this series, a staggering stat that underscores New York’s chronic slow starts.
Some fans even pointed out that the Knicks could have been even worse off. “Should have been 11 points as Anunoby double dribbled,” one keen-eyed observer noted.
Despite the ugly first half, the Knicks have to feel fortunate to be within striking distance. If they can heat up offensively in the second half, they could finally end a 53-year championship drought. The drama has also sparked renewed interest in Jalen Brunson's 2015 tweet that now feels like prophecy.
For now, the Knicks’ faithful are left hoping the team can turn things around — and stop giving them heart attacks in the process.
