Knicks rally past Spurs in Game 1 of NBA Finals as Wembanyama struggles and Hart dominates defensively

Knicks seize home-court advantage

The New York Knicks opened the 2026 NBA Finals with a 105-95 road win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, overcoming a 14-point second-half deficit. Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 30 points, including eight consecutive points in the final minutes that turned a 95-94 edge into a decisive lead. Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 12 rebounds, while OG Anunoby contributed 17 points and Landry Shamet scored 13 off the bench.

That's just who he is. He's always been that way. I can't explain it. He just has a knack for doing things like that, and in crucial times, as well. It's a credit to who he is as a player.

The Spurs, the second-youngest team in history to reach the NBA Finals, led 55-48 at halftime and stretched the margin to 65-51 early in the third quarter. New York responded with a rapid comeback, tying the game at 76-76 by the end of the period, then outscored San Antonio 29-19 in the fourth.

Hart's historic defensive impact

Josh Hart overcame three early fouls that limited him to roughly seven first-half minutes and delivered a defensive performance unmatched in an NBA Finals game since 1986. He finished with 15 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and a blocked shot in 27 minutes. The Knicks outscored the Spurs by 22 points when Hart was on the floor, the highest plus-minus of any player in the opener.

I don't really don't care about it, honestly. I'm happy we got the win. Happy I was able to impact the game. Obviously, I had a couple of shots that I felt good about that didn't go in. How I play the game, it goes far beyond made shots, it goes far beyond box scores.

Hart is the first player with at least 15 rebounds, six assists, and four steals in an NBA Finals game since Hall of Famer Larry Bird accomplished the feat for Boston in Game 3 of the 1986 Finals against Houston. Three of Hart's four steals came in the fourth quarter alone.

Wembanyama's off night

Victor Wembanyama, playing in his first career Finals game at age 22, scored 26 points with 12 rebounds and three blocks but shot just 6-for-21 from the field. The French star was guarded aggressively by Towns and the Knicks' physical defense throughout the night.

Tonight, I was bad, it's not more complicated than that. I just need to play at my level, not even be particularly good.

Wembanyama briefly rallied the Spurs late, hitting a three-pointer and a layup to give San Antonio a 95-94 lead with just over two minutes remaining. But a turnover and several fouls by the Spurs opened the door for Brunson's closing run. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson expressed confidence that Wembanyama would learn from the game and return with the right approach for Game 2.

Spurs' path to the Finals

San Antonio reached its first NBA Finals since 2014 by defeating the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games in the Western Conference finals. The Spurs won Game 7 on the road, 111-103, behind a crucial defensive play from backup center Luke Kornet, who blocked Isaiah Hartenstein moments after entering for a foul-troubled Wembanyama. The Spurs and Knicks previously met in the 1999 Finals, which San Antonio won in five games for the first of the franchise's five championships.

Game 2 outlook

Game 2 is scheduled for Friday in San Antonio, with the Spurs looking to even the best-of-seven series before it shifts to New York. Wembanyama said the team has been down in series before and expressed no concern, promising to be 'so much better' in the next game. The Knicks have now won 12 consecutive playoff games.