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The first match was up to par thanks to a dynamite performance from its biggest star, Jalen Brunson.
The San Antonio Spurs couldn’t hang on to the Knicks in Game 1, as New York took a 1-0 series lead with a decisive 105-95 victory.
The Knicks have now won 12 straight playoff games. The Knicks’ 12-game playoff winning streak is tied with the 1999 Spurs for second all-time.
Only the 2017 Warriors have won more at 15, putting New York within reach.
Most Knicks fans had “win on the road” on their championship bingo card. Their team did not disappoint.
KNICKS FANS SEND NYC INTO CHAOS AFTER FRANCHISE REACHES FIRST NBA FINALS SINCE 1999
Jalen Brunson attacks the basket during the Knicks’ 105-95 Game 1 win over the Spurs in the NBA Finals (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images))
Brunson rose to the occasion against Victor Wembanyama, helping New York outlast the young, inexperienced Spurs.
The first match delivered some drama early on.
In the first quarter, Brunson came out with an apparent leg injury, grimacing frequently and favoring his right knee.
Brunson’s knee scare was short-lived.
After a brief trip to the locker room, Brunson quickly returned to the bench and eventually re-entered the game.
The Knicks came out of halftime slowly, trailing by 13 points in the third quarter. But New York never looked rattled.
Brunson, already a playoff hero, suffered several blows throughout the night, including a minor ankle injury after a collision with Luke Kornet. Any concerns about his health faded as the match progressed. Brunson turned on the boosters in the second half, attacking the Spurs defense and showing few signs that his knee was bothering him.
San Antonio relied heavily on the three-point shot, but with little success. The Spurs connected on just 11 of 43 attempts from beyond the arc.
Despite a 7-foot-4 monster in Wembanyama, San Antonio repeatedly shot from deep and came up empty.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson battles for a rebound against Spurs star Victor Wembanyama in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals. (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images))
Brunson finally returned to his heroic form, leading the Knicks with 30 points and taking control of the fourth quarter when it mattered most.
Social media quickly lit up with praise for the Knicks star. “Brunson is the best fourth quarter player I’ve ever seen,” read one reaction, echoing the sentiment of fans watching another postseason masterpiece.
Knicks rally in second half to win Game 3, Eastern Conference Finals hopes remain alive
The Knicks’ supporting cast delivered alongside their star.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson rises for a shot against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images))
“It wasn’t really my night most of the night. But we kept progressing. We kept finding a way,” Brunson said after his MVP-worthy performance.
“Our chemistry, knowing that we have each other’s backs,” Brunson said when asked about the team’s comeback from a 13-point deficit.
“Everything will be fine,” Brunson added after getting mugged in the first game.
Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby combined for 35 points. New York’s bench backcourt also made a vital contribution.
José Alvarado played crucial minutes while Brunson was in the locker room being evaluated. Landry Shamet added 13 points coming off the bench, while Miles McBride scored seven points in 11 minutes.
The Spurs missed more production from De’Aaron Fox, who had an unremarkable performance (seven points), leaving San Antonio to rely heavily on its young core.
Wembanyama, one of the breakout stars of this series, was his usual disruptive presence in the paint defensively, but struggled to make a bigger impact elsewhere. He still led San Antonio with 26 points.
In the end, the lights seemed too bright for the Spurs and the Knicks went into Game 2 with a 1-0 Finals lead.
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New York City will have plenty to celebrate after the Knicks opened the Finals with a declared victory.
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