Knicks Overcome 14-Point Deficit, Close on 11-0 Run to Beat Spurs 105-95 in NBA Finals Game 1

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, 2026, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The Spurs led by 14 points in the third quarter before the Knicks responded with a 25-11 run that tied the score at 76 entering the fourth.

San Antonio regained a one-point lead at 95-94 with 2:16 remaining after Victor Wembanyama made the second of two free throws.

The Knicks then closed the game on an 11-0 run. They became the third team in the past 50 years to win a Finals game by 10 or more points after trailing in the final two minutes and the first to do so in regulation. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, on 31 shots.

The Spurs shot 1-of-14, including 0-for-8 from three-point range, with one turnover when Brunson was the primary defender. He contested nine of those 14 attempts. Victor Wembanyama finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.

He became the fourth player since 1974 to record at least 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in an NBA Finals debut, joining Shaquille O'Neal in 1995, Hakeem Olajuwon in 1986 and Elvin Hayes in 1975. Wembanyama also recorded six turnovers and missed 15 shots, both postseason career highs. He scored five points on five attempts in the first quarter.

The Knicks outscored the Spurs 50-42 in the paint and 23-14 on second-chance points. Dylan Harper scored 10 points in the first quarter on three made shots and finished with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting with one turnover. He became the first rookie to score in double figures in the first quarter of an NBA Finals game in the past 25 years.

His driving floater with 6:31 left in the third quarter gave the Spurs a 14-point lead. San Antonio finished with 16 assists, its fewest since March 11, 2022. Wembanyama said he was not "worried in the slightest" about how the Spurs would fare as the series unfolds.

He agreed with coach Mitch Johnson's assessment that he needed to establish more of a presence inside. Johnson said the Spurs need to get Wembanyama moving in space and toward the rim on rolls or in transition. " De'Aaron Fox said, "Us ending the game with only 16 assists is not something that we want.

We want to continue to have them in rotation. " Wembanyama said of New York's late run, "It was quick. " This was the Spurs' first loss in a Game 1 of the NBA Finals in franchise history and their first loss of an NBA Finals opener in seven appearances.