When you think of the NBA Finals matchup and how it links back to the Phoenix Suns, two names immediately come to mind.
Mikal Bridges on the New York Knicks as he is a crucial piece of what they do, and Bismack Biyombo somehow still in the league with the San Antonio Spurs. There is a reason they love him however.
Landry Shamet has huge Game 1 performance to help Knicks win
One name you did not expect to see have an impact on the biggest stage of them all was Landry Shamet, the former Suns player who was as frustrating as he was consistent during his time in The Valley.
The 29-year-old chipping in with a huge 13 points off the bench, with nine of those coming from beyond the arc. New York may have played a nine man rotation, but the 33 minutes from Shamet off the bench was nearly double the next highest contributor (Miles McBride, 19 minutes).
Landry Shamet off the bench:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 4, 2026
13 PTS
3-6 3P
Leading all remaining players in bench threes. pic.twitter.com/F1mntINZGe
He did finish the game with a minus 10, but the Knicks can live with that in a way the Suns never could. Defensively Shamet is there to be picked at often, and the Spurs have all manner of speedy and aggressive guards to do just that.
But when he's keeping them honest on the other end with his shooting then he is going to continue to see big minutes in this series. An amazing turnaround for a player who most Suns fans were glad to see the back of when he did move on.
It is amazing to think that Shamet could effectively take McBride's minutes in a finals game, while also saw more time on the court than starters Bridges (28 minutes), Josh Hart (27) and OG Anunoby (31).
Yes there was a hairy moment when he was involved in a play that saw superstar Jalen Brunson come up limping, but to get this level of performance against a Spurs roster that just down the Oklahoma City Thunder is sensational.
Unfortunately he could not replicate that if he was with the Suns now, because the way the Knicks are set up caters much better to his shooting ability. They have a stretch five in Karl-Anthony Towns, while Brunson requires so much defensive attention.
The trio of Bridges, Hart and Anunoby are all elite defenders, and Shamet will always be on the court with at least one of them. This makes him that bit easier to hide on the defensive end while not giving up scoring as a result of what those same three players can do with the ball in hand.
A luxury the Suns don't have, and even in Shamet's heyday with the franchise he didn't have it as good. Making the difference in a finals game though? On the road no less? As incredible as it was unexpected.
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