Two games mean nothing in an 82-game season, but what has happened to the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs cannot be overlooked, as seeing both fall in their first two games of the campaign is nothing short of historic.
After thrilling fans last season and reaching the Finals – with New York claiming their first championship in 53 years – both sides are struggling to find their rhythm in the new campaign. So much so that they have matched a statistic not seen in more than four decades.
The Knicks and Spurs, both sitting at 0-2, have become just the third pair of NBA finalists to start the following season with identical records. It previously happened in 1979-80 with the Seattle SuperSonics and Washington Bullets, and in 1969-70 with the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.
The unusual statistic was confirmed when the Knicks lost 107-103 to the Celtics, while the Spurs also suffered defeat at home against the Houston Rockets.
As mentioned earlier, this should not be dismissed as a mere curiosity, even though both teams have more than enough potential to put together another strong season. In fact, their slow starts are not entirely surprising. The Knicks may need time to rediscover their best form, while the Spurs could still be feeling the effects of their missed opportunity in June.