Knicks Overcome 14-Point Deficit to Beat Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of NBA Finals
New York overcame a 14-point third-quarter deficit on the road to take a 1-0 series lead. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points despite knee and ankle injuries.
Nbc NewsThe New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Wednesday in San Antonio. The Knicks took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and extended their postseason winning streak to 12 games. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points for New York, including 13 in the fourth quarter.
He made two clutch shots in the final minutes and finished 12-of-31 from the field. Brunson joined Willis Reed as the only players in Knicks franchise history to score 30 or more points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. ” Karl-Anthony Towns scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Josh Hart added 15 rebounds and helped the Knicks outscore the Spurs by 22 points during his 27 minutes on the court. The Knicks committed just one turnover in the second half. Victor Wembanyama scored 26 points for San Antonio on 6-of-21 shooting from the field and 2-of-9 from three-point range.
He grabbed 12 rebounds and had six turnovers. Wembanyama shot 12-of-13 from the free-throw line. He said after the game, “I’m gonna figure it out. I mean, I was bad tonight. ” Dylan Harper scored 16 points off the bench for the Spurs.
The rest of San Antonio’s reserves combined for four points. Julian Champagnie scored 15 points in the first half, making 5-of-6 three-pointers. The Spurs led by as many as 14 points in the third quarter.
The Knicks tied the score less than five minutes later by driving to the rim while Wembanyama rested on the bench. At the midway point of the fourth quarter, New York led 94-86 after a 22-point turnaround. Nine unanswered points by the Spurs gave San Antonio a 95-94 lead with two minutes remaining.
Brunson answered with a three-pointer to put the Knicks ahead 97-95. He followed with a falling-away shot that extended the lead to 101-95. Brunson left the game briefly in the first quarter after Harrison Barnes crashed into his right knee.
He was hobbled further in the second quarter when his left ankle was stepped on by Luke Kornet. He scored 11 unanswered points to close the game. Quarter scores were Spurs 27, Knicks 19 after the first; Spurs 55, Knicks 48 at halftime; and 76-76 after three quarters.
Mitchell Robinson played despite hand surgery last week. Gregg Popovich, who led the Spurs to five NBA titles before stepping down last year after suffering a stroke, attended the game. A fan ran onto the court and tried to take a selfie before being removed by security, prompting a jump ball because referees could not determine possession.
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday.
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