Spurs vs Knicks: Knicks Storm Into NBA Finals Spotlight, Leaving San Antonio Searching for Answers
The New York Knicks stole the NBA Finals spotlight by erasing a 14-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1.
In the 1st Game of the 2026 NBA Finals, the New York Knicks shocked everyone with a 105-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs. They pulled this off on the Spurs' own court, the Frost Bank Center. The Knicks have now won 12 straight in the playoffs, which is a historic streak. Jalen Brunson really shined, scoring 30 points to lead his team. He also drove the final surge – an 11-0 run in the last minutes that wrapped up the victory. It's worth noting that the loss was a bummer for San Antonio; they'd never lost Game 1 in the finals before this match.
The game was a real roller coaster from the beginning. The Spurs looked super strong at times, building a 55-48 lead by halftime. They even had a 14-point edge in the third quarter midpoint. With 26 points and 12 rebounds, Victor Wembanyama made his NBA Finals debut count. Stepnon Castle added 17 points, keeping the crowd hyped. But the Knicks fought back. Their defense tightened up, and some clutch shots closed the gap. In fact, they ended the quarter on a 22-9 tear, tying the score at 76 going into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter, Brunson took the game over, racking up 13 of his 30 points then. He nailed a key corner three-pointer and sealed the win with a spinning jumper with 38 seconds left. Plus, Karl-Anthony Towns had a huge impact for New York, putting up 18 points and 12 rebounds. OG Anunoby added 17 points too. But on the other team, De'Aaron Fox was scoreless in the fourth, finishing the night with only seven points total.
The shocking game end left San Antonio puzzled as they prepared for Game 2. Wembanyama acknowledged his rough night, going 6-for-21 from the field. Brunson, however, praised the Knicks' unity and grit for their victory. Now just three wins away from ending a 53-year drought, the pressure's on the Spurs to bounce back and win at home.
Sportscape believes that the Knicks showed they're a resilient, championship-contending team by overcoming a 14-point deficit in Game 1. If the Spurs can't find a way to stop Jalen Brunson in crucial moments, New York could ride that momentum to win the NBA title. So, the Spurs need to figure out a plan fast or risk losing big.
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