The NBA finals are underway, and apparently the league's official stats-keepers have only been paying attention since 1998. Dylan Harper scored 10 points in the first quarter of Game 1 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, which we're told is a record for a rookie in the first quarter of an NBA Finals game since the league started keeping play-by-play during the 1998 Finals. Yes, you read that correctly: the NBA apparently spent decades just vibing.
The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama (or "Wemby" as the cool kids and this live blog call him), jumped out to an early lead despite the Knicks' best efforts to commit various basketball crimes. Jalen Brunson started strong with a three-pointer but quickly remembered he was human, finishing the half 5-for-15 from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns wasn't much better at 3-for-9, but at least he became the first Knick to make a free throw 23 minutes into the game, which is either a testament to their shooting or a damning indictment of the officiating.
Julian Champagnie, who is apparently from Staten Island and not, as his name might suggest, a French pastry chef, led the Spurs with 15 points in the first half. Wemby finished the half at +3, while backup center Luke Kornet somehow managed +4, because basketball statistics are a lawless wasteland. The Spurs' bench outscored the Knicks' starters during Wemby's absence, proving that the future of basketball might actually be whoever is willing to run fast and throw things at the hoop.
Dylan Harper, the rookie who made history by scoring in the first quarter, finished the half with 12 points. Jose Alvarado contributed a neat stat line of seven minutes and seven points, because efficiency is apparently a thing that exists. The Knicks shot 8-for-24 in the first quarter, which is a percentage even a weak math student can convert to "not great." The Spurs weren't much better at 9-for-25, but they made five free throws while the Knicks made zero, because the officials apparently decided the Knicks didn't deserve charity.
A highlight: Wemby blocking a three-quarter-court heave by Mikal Bridges to end the half, because why let the opponent have any dignity? The crowd loved it, which is the only thing that matters in a sport where fans are known to throw things at players they don't like.
As one reader noted, the Spurs' fans - known as "The Jackals" - behave more like soccer fans than any other American sports fans. Which is either a compliment or a warning, depending on your tolerance for people setting off flares in enclosed spaces.
The Knicks trail 50-48 at halftime, which means they have 24 minutes to figure out how to score points and also stop letting Julian Champagnie look like Stephen Curry. Should be easy.