2026 NBA FINALS GAME 1

There's something weird that happens with the way time moves the couple of weeks before and after you get back from a longer trip. It's fast but also slow. Like everything you do is coated in a thick molasses. You're getting back into your routine and your job and all the shit you don't want to do but it still feels as if nothing is happening even though you've done a lot. I don't really know where I'm going with this. But I do know I did not send out a newsletter the last two weeks since I've been home. It got caught somewhere in the time molasses. I think I may have even lost a shoe.

Vacation was super awesome though. We had a really great time. I think I'll do a deeper dive on the adventure at some point. But work has really been working my ass since I've been back home. Like if I was trying to box out Victor Wembanyama down on the block. Getting my ass kicked every time I go up for a rebound. His pointy but strong elbows smacking against my ribs. Speaking of...

IT'S THE NBA FINALS BABY.

Tonight is the night. Game 1! The San Antonio Spurs against the New York Knicks. This is honestly a fun matchup to watch. The Knicks haven't won the Finals since 1973 and haven't been to the finals since 1999 when they lost to... the Spurs! The Spurs haven't been since 2014 when they beat the Miami Heat. They have a 5-1 record in the Finals whereas New York is 2-6.

So in honor of the occasion I thought I would try doing a live journaling of sorts while the game the plays. I'll be sitting on the couch with Lacey and Sancho. Drinking a beer. I've already taken an edible. Let's ball?

PRE-GAME

Game is about to start but some early thoughts to lay out:

• Lacey is rooting for the Knicks. I think I am too. I like the Spurs but I don't know if I'm ready for Wemby to ascend that high so quickly. He's incredible. The guy deserves it but the Knicks have Blazers' legend Josh Hart on their team now.
• For readers that don't know ball, this is Wemby. He is 22-years-old. He is 7′ 4″. His legend is growing in real time before our eyes:

• Predictions:
  • MVP - Lacey: Wemby or Jalen Brunson | Isaac: Wemby or KAT (let's get crazy)
  • Tonight's Winner - Lacey: Spurs | Isaac: Spurs
  • Series Winner - Lacey: Spurs | Isaac: Spurs

FIRST QUARTER

Brunson hits the first shot. A three pointer. The first shot of his Finals career. Hell yeah.

Knicks have a fluidity to their offense going right now. And then right on cue Wemby blocks Hart and then drains a three of his own. This is fun. 12-7 Knicks at first timeout.

They just showed a clip of the Spurs head coach talking to the team before the game. He seemed intensely calm. Very aware of the moment but not letting it overwhelm him.

Refs are not calling much tonight. Letting them play as they say.

Lacey really likes Dylan Harper but hates his shoes. The shots are now falling. The players are jawing back and forth. Basketball is happening!

Love seeing gambling commercials man. It never gets old. Each time feels as painful as the last. Whatever churns a profit. You have money and we will take it.

22-17 Spurs now. Brunson is cold. The Spurs are hot–25 to 17 SPURS now. Brunson looks hurtttt man oh no. That limp was brutal. Harper immediately takes him to the rim and scores to make matters worse.

Spurs went on a 20-5 run to end the quarter. up 27-19. Pretty enjoyable quarter apart from Brunson being hurt. Good energy and competitive spirit.

SECOND QUARTER

KAT just tried to detonate on Wemby. It did not go well! I cannot imagine for the life of me trying to dunk on Victor Wembanyama. Seems fatal.

There's another Minions movie??? Holy shit. I never would have predicted the Minions supremacy. I mean I enjoyed the first Despicable Me but still. These little fuckers are a part of the zeitgeist now. Regina Hall in a Hyundai Kona commercial though? This is what I'm talking about. This is my Minions.

Brunson back in. That makes me nervous! 31-30 Spurs.

Oh fuck now Jalen is pissed and hurt.

TIMOTHEE! What's up dude. Can't wait for Dune 3. I mean that sincerely. Brunson cooking now magically all of a sudden. Lisan al Gaib! Knicks up 40-39.

47-43 Spurs now. Julian Champagnie hitting another big shot. Alvarado answers! 47-46. Champagnie again!! 50-46 Spurs. Then a steal from Fox to make it 52-46. OH WOW ANOTHER CHAMPAGNIE THREE! 55-46 Spurs at the end of the half. That sequence ruled.

HALFTIME

Alright I'm going to do some dishes and listen to some music but I'll be back.

Really digging this. Radiating with a 2000's R&B sound. Plus Teezo is from Texas so it relates to the game a little I guess:

"Tell me how you do that there (Do that there)
You slow, loud and bangin' let me screw that there (Let me screw that there)
All that movement in your pants, baby, who back there? (Who?)
You down in Texas, I can move back there (Ayy, say)"

THIRD QUARTER

Spurs up 11 now. 59-48.

Knicks are cold man. Yikes.

Wemby is limping now. Thumbs down for that. He seemed ok though I think.

Some older guy in the crowd is rocking this old school Spurs green jacket. He looks ridiculously good. I think the Spurs are trying to end this thing now. But the Knicks are punching back. And-1 for KAT. 59-67 Spurs.

OK KAT block and a quick layup for Brunson. 61-67. 5 minutes left in the third.

Damn thanks to that commercial I just remembered I didn't finish the most recent season of The Bear. Gonna have to do that at some point.

12-2 run for New Yorrrrk. 66-69 Spurs.

Tracy Morgan sighting! There's this show on Peacock right now with Tracy and Daniel Radcliffe (yes) that has some pretty funny bits. Weird duo on paper but I am about it. Tie game! 71-71. 1:55 left in the third. Tie quickly ended by a Vassell dunk. Spurs back up. The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins. That's what the Tracy Morgan-Daniel Radcliffe show is called.

Oooo big Wemby dunk. 73-76 Spurs. 15 seconds. LOL Deuce McBride just banked in a three at the craziest angle. Geometry heads losing their minds right now. Tie game going into the 4th quarter! 76-76.

Fourth Quarter

Shamet gives the Knicks the lead right away.

This game is good. Trading buckets right now. 83-81 Knicks. OH! OG Anunoby is on fire. 86-81 Knicks. Lol jesus. Stephon Castle three pointer, 86-84 Knicks. Like I said, this game is good.

Tie game again. Someone might hit a game winner tonight. That would be cool.

A FAN RAN ON THE FLOOR???? Looked like they were trying to take a selfie when they got out there. WEMBY WAS SMILING AT THE FAN'S PHONE! Hilarious scenes.

Knicks up 8 right now. Wemby just travelled. 5:37 left in the game.

Wembanyama bounces back with a three-pointer. Big time shit.

And-1 Wemby. More big time shit. 94-93 Knicks. 3:24 left in the game.

Oh man this is intense. No one is making any shots but it feels like everything is gonna fall. Really thought Shamet was draining that three pointer. Wemby gets back to the line. He's really emphasized his offensive authority in the second half. 95-94 Spurs. 2:05 left.

JALEN BRUNSON THREE. 97-95 Knicks. 1:40 left.

Wemby trying to put the work on KAT. Fox misses a jumper. Then fouls Mikal Bridges down on the other end. Bridges hits two free throws. 99-95 Knicks. 1:11 left.

Blazers Legend Josh Hart with another steal. Crazy shot by Brunson! Knicks up 101-95! Wemby misses a three. OG Anunoby gets fouled. Knicks fans celebrating in the crowd. Two free throws. 103-95 Knicks.

20 seconds left with an 8 point lead I think this thing is over guys. Yeah. That's it. The Knicks win game one on the road in San Antonio. Their 12th straight win overall. That's a biggggg win. Camera showed Wemby walking into the locker room shaking his head profusely. I fear in game 2 he will come out in monster mode. It goes without saying but I hope this series goes 7 games.

POSTGAME

Honestly what a fun way to start the series. Knicks winning game one on the road was probably not what most people anticipated happening here. But they keep winning! People say things like the league is better when the Knicks are good and unfortunately they may be right. I love seeing Fat Joe and Ben Stiller court side at games going crazy. It does something to me.

I think I might try and do this for the some of the other games in the series if possible. Schedule depending. It was kind of fun.

Knicks up 1-0.

Victory Song:

Oh, fuck! Giuliani!
He's such! A fucking jerk
Shut down! All the strip bars
Workfare! Does not work