Key Takeaways:
- Last night, Jalen Brunson delivered 30 points for New York, including 13 in the fourth quarter, helping the Knicks to a 105-95 win over San Antonio in Game 1 of the NBA Finals
- The Knicks closed the contest on an 11-0 run, becoming the first team to defeat the Spurs in a Finals Game 1 and extending their playoff winning streak to 12 games
- Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but struggled on 6-for-21 shooting in his Finals debut
Match Overview
The New York Knicks continued their exceptional postseason run with a dramatic 105-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, taking a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson led the way with an outstanding 30-point performance, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds. OG Anunoby also impressed, recording 17 points for the Knicks.
New York overcame a 14-point second-half deficit, punctuating their comeback by finishing the game on an 11-0 surge. Brunson was particularly decisive in the final period, scoring 13 of his total points, capped off by a spinning jumper with just 38 seconds remaining to seal the win.
series 1-0. pic.twitter.com/0juc7w5pMI
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 4, 2026
Playoff Streaks and Historical Milestones
With this result, the Knicks have now secured 12 consecutive playoff wins, becoming only the seventh team in NBA history to accomplish such a feat, and the third to do so within a single postseason. Their current streak stands alongside San Antonio’s 12-game run in 1999, while Golden State holds the record with 15 straight in 2017.
Moreover, this victory marked the first time the Spurs have lost Game 1 in an NBA Finals, having previously been 6-0. As a result, San Antonio find themselves trailing in the championship series for the first time before the conclusion of the finals.
Player Performance and Key Moments
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks | 30 | 3 | 2 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | New York Knicks | 18 | 12 | 4 |
| OG Anunoby | New York Knicks | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs | 26 | 12 | 2 |
| Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs | 17 | 8 | 3 |
| Julian Champagnie | San Antonio Spurs | 16 | 10 | 1 |
| Dylan Harper | San Antonio Spurs | 16 | 8 | 1 |
Victor Wembanyama topped the scoring for the Spurs, racking up 26 points and 12 rebounds in his Finals debut, though he struggled from the field, converting only 6 of his 21 attempts. Stephon Castle contributed 17 points, while Julian Champagnie and Dylan Harper both added 16 apiece for San Antonio. Wembanyama, reflecting on his performance, acknowledged, “I was bad tonight. It’s not more complicated than that.”
The match saw San Antonio holding a 55-48 advantage by halftime and extending their lead to 14 points in the third quarter. Yet, the Knicks responded with a late-quarter surge, closing the third on a 22-9 run to tie the scores at 76. In the final minutes, after a pair of Wembanyama free throws put San Antonio ahead 95-94 with 2:16 on the clock, Brunson replied immediately with a corner three-pointer to reclaim the lead, setting New York on course to victory.
Atmosphere and Attendance
The occasion attracted notable figures from both franchises’ histories and celebrity fans. Former San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich was in attendance, joined by Spurs legends such as David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Bruce Bowen. Knicks icons including Patrick Ewing, along with well-known supporters Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller, Fat Joe, and Timothée Chalamet, were also present.
The travelling Knicks fanbase was well represented in San Antonio, some remarking that the overall cost for travel and tickets was considerably less than attending a Finals game in New York.
Looking Ahead
With this triumph, the Knicks move within three victories of their first NBA championship in 53 years, having seized home-court advantage from the Spurs. Game 2 is scheduled for Friday in San Antonio.
