Knicks rally past Spurs in Game 1 of NBA Finals, extending playoff win streak to 12
Jalen Brunson scored 30 points as the New York Knicks erased a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 on Wednesday, seizing a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
The New York Knicks extended their extraordinary playoff run to 12 consecutive victories, rallying past the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Center. Jalen Brunson overcame a poor shooting night and two lower-leg injuries to score 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, outdueling Victor Wembanyama down the stretch.
Brunson's resilience
Brunson's night was nearly derailed early. He limped to the locker room in the first quarter after Harrison Barnes crashed into his right knee, then rolled his left ankle stepping on Luke Kornet's foot in the second quarter. He finished shooting 12 of 31 from the field and 2 of 9 from three-point range, but delivered when it mattered most. His three-pointer with under two minutes remaining put the Knicks ahead 97-95, a lead they never surrendered. A tough fadeaway with 38 seconds left pushed the margin to six, and New York closed the game on an 11-0 run.
Just sticking together -- it wasn't really our night and wasn't really my night most of the night but we kept finding a way, kept chipping away.
Wembanyama's Finals debut
Victor Wembanyama, in his first NBA Finals appearance after winning Western Conference MVP, led the Spurs with 26 points and 12 rebounds but struggled from the field, making just 6 of 21 shots. He also committed six turnovers. The 22-year-old French star dismissed any suggestion that nerves played a role.
I played badly tonight, it's not more complicated than that. I'm not worried at all.
Stephon Castle added 17 points for San Antonio, while Julian Champagnie and rookie Dylan Harper each scored 16. The Spurs had entered the series with momentum after eliminating the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.
Knicks' supporting cast
Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, scoring 10 of his points in the third quarter as New York began its comeback. OG Anunoby added 17 points, and Landry Shamet provided 13 points off the bench. Mitchell Robinson, playing his first game since surgery to repair a broken right pinky, managed two points and six rebounds in 13 minutes.
In the most important moments he always rises to the level of expectations. That's what MVP-caliber players do.
Historic context
The victory carries historical weight for both franchises. It marks the first time San Antonio has ever lost Game 1 of an NBA Finals, having won all six previous openers. The Spurs had not trailed in a Finals series before its conclusion prior to Wednesday. For the Knicks, the 12-game playoff winning streak has been achieved by only seven teams in NBA history. New York is now three wins away from its first championship since 1973. Brunson's 30-point performance was his 38th playoff game with at least 25 points as a Knick, second in franchise history behind Patrick Ewing's 43.
- Knicks lose Game 3 of first round to Atlanta Hawks — their last defeat
- Knicks eliminate Atlanta Hawks in first round
- Knicks sweep Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 in conference semifinals
- Knicks sweep Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in Eastern Conference finals, overcoming 22-point deficit in Game 1
- Knicks beat Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of NBA Finals, extending streak to 12 wins
Looking ahead
Game 2 remains in San Antonio on Friday before the best-of-seven series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Monday. The Spurs will need to adjust quickly to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole against a Knicks team that has not lost since April 23, when they dropped Game 3 of the first round to the Atlanta Hawks.
