San Antonio, TX — The New York Knicks continued their remarkable postseason run Wednesday night, overcoming a double-digit deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Leading the charge was Jalen Brunson, who delivered 30 points and dominated the closing minutes as New York stormed back from a 14-point second-half hole. Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 12 rebounds, while OG Anunoby contributed 17 points to help the Knicks seize an early series advantage.
Brunson was at his best when the game mattered most. He scored 13 points in the fourth quarter and capped his performance with a difficult spinning jumper in the final minute that effectively put the game out of reach.
“He’s built for moments like this,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said afterward. “When the pressure is highest, he delivers.”
The victory extended New York’s playoff winning streak to 12 games, matching one of the longest postseason runs in league history. Only two teams have won more consecutive playoff games in a single postseason: the 2017 Golden State Warriors, who won 15 straight, and the 1999 Spurs, who also won 12 in a row on their way to a championship.
For Brunson, the team’s success comes down to chemistry and trust.
“We believe in each other,” he said. “Everyone understands what’s required.”
San Antonio received a strong statistical performance from Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds. However, the young star struggled with efficiency, connecting on just six of his 21 field-goal attempts. Stephon Castle added 17 points, while Julian Champagnie and Dylan Harper each scored 16.
Wembanyama was blunt in assessing his own performance.
“I didn’t play well,” he said. “That’s the reality.”
The atmosphere inside the arena reflected the significance of the occasion. Former Spurs coach Gregg Popovich attended from a suite, joined by franchise legends including David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Bruce Bowen.
The Knicks were also well represented. Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing was in attendance, along with celebrity supporters Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller, Fat Joe, and Timothée Chalamet. Thousands of New York fans made the trip to Texas, including some who found the experience surprisingly affordable compared with attending games back home.
The contest featured multiple momentum swings. New York jumped out to an early lead before San Antonio responded and carried a 55-48 advantage into halftime. The Spurs later stretched the margin to 14 midway through the third quarter, appearing in control.
The Knicks, however, refused to fade. They closed the third quarter with a 22-9 burst to erase the deficit and entered the final period tied at 76.
The closing minutes proved decisive. After Wembanyama’s free throws gave San Antonio a 95-94 edge with just over two minutes remaining, Brunson answered immediately with a corner three-pointer. The Knicks then shut the door completely, finishing the game on an 11-0 run.
The loss marked a historic first for San Antonio. Before Wednesday, the Spurs had never lost a Game 1 in an NBA Finals appearance and had never found themselves trailing in a Finals series before the conclusion of one.
Despite the setback, the Spurs will have an opportunity to even the series when Game 2 tips off Friday night in San Antonio.
As for the Knicks, they are now just three victories away from capturing their first NBA championship in more than five decades. Still, Brunson emphasized that the team remains focused on the larger challenge ahead.
“We’ve accomplished nothing yet,” he said. “There’s still a lot of basketball left to play.”
