The Knicks, who have won five in a row and nine of 10, will play San Antonio on Tuesday night for the championship.
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Brunson also had eight assists and made 16 of 27 shots, including a 3-pointer in the third quarter after Orlando’s Anthony Black fell backwards to the ground. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 29 points and OG Anunoby scored 24 for the Knicks.
Jalen Suggs scored 25 of his 26 points in the first half for the Magic before leaving in the fourth quarter due to left hip soreness. Paolo Banchero added 25 points and Desmond Bane scored 18.
SPURS 111, THUNDER 109
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama returned from a 12-game absence with 22 points and nine rebounds, giving San Antonio a boost and Oklahoma City just its second loss.
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The Spurs play the New York Knicks in the finals on Tuesday night.
Oklahoma’s last loss was Nov. 5 in Portland, and the Thunder came into this game on a 16-game winning streak. They are now 24-2, the second-best start behind Golden State’s 25-1 record in 2015-16.
This is the Thunder’s second consecutive loss in Las Vegas. They also lost last year’s finals to Milwaukee 97-81.
Wembanyama, who received “MVP” chants from the pro-Spurs crowd, earned a +21 rating in 21 minutes. Teammate Devin Vassell scored 23 points and De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle each scored 22.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 29 points, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams added 17 each.