SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Diya TV) — Jalen Brunson delivered another signature playoff performance Thursday night as the New York Knicks erased a 14-point deficit and defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
The Knicks showed resilience on the road and took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series. Brunson scored 30 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, as New York secured its first NBA Finals victory in 27 years. The Knicks improved to 13-2 in the playoffs and extended their postseason winning streak to 12 games.
For much of the night, Brunson struggled to find his rhythm. The All-Star guard shot 12-for-31 from the field and faced two injury scares during the game. None of that mattered in the closing minutes.
After San Antonio rallied to take a one-point lead with just over two minutes remaining, Brunson responded with a clutch corner 3-pointer. He later knocked down a difficult fadeaway jumper over Devin Vassell to help seal the victory. Brunson became the first Knicks player since Willis Reed in 1970 to score 30 points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. His leadership once again proved vital for a New York team that has built a reputation for thriving under pressure throughout the postseason.
The Spurs controlled much of the first half and appeared poised to protect home court. San Antonio used a 20-3 run in the opening quarter to build momentum. The Knicks struggled offensively as Victor Wembanyama’s presence disrupted drives and forced difficult shots. Brunson briefly left the game late in the first quarter after Harrison Barnes collided with his right knee. He returned in the second quarter but later appeared to injure his right ankle after Spurs center Luke Kornet stepped on it.
Despite the setbacks, Brunson stayed in the game and helped keep New York within striking distance. The Spurs carried a 55-48 lead into halftime behind strong shooting from Julian Champagnie, who made five 3-pointers in the first half. However, Champagnie scored only two points after the break.
Wembanyama finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds in his NBA Finals debut. However, the Spurs star struggled with efficiency and shot just 6-for-21 from the field. A key turning point came midway through the third quarter when Wembanyama briefly left the floor after knocking knees with Josh Hart. The Knicks immediately took advantage. New York went on a 7-0 run and steadily chipped away at San Antonio’s lead. Karl-Anthony Towns played a major role in the comeback, finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
The Knicks continued to dominate the offensive glass and created valuable second-chance opportunities throughout the second half. By the end of the third quarter, the game was tied 76-76 after Deuce McBride banked in a 3-pointer from the corner. It marked the first NBA Finals game to enter the fourth quarter tied since Game 6 of the 2021 Finals between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.
New York’s experience showed in the final period. OG Anunoby scored 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and delivered several key plays down the stretch. Mikal Bridges added important free throws during the closing minutes. The Spurs managed only two 3-pointers in the second half and struggled to generate offense when the game tightened. An 11-0 Knicks run late in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach.
San Antonio also committed costly mistakes. Wembanyama dribbled the ball off his foot with one minute remaining, leading to a critical New York possession that resulted in Brunson’s dagger jumper. The loss marked the first time in franchise history that the Spurs dropped a Game 1 in the NBA Finals. They had previously won all six of their Finals openers. Now, the pressure shifts to San Antonio as it looks to avoid falling into a 2-0 series hole. Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals is scheduled for Friday night at Frost Bank Center, where the Spurs will try to even the series before it moves to New York.
