Despite finding themselves in deep waters in the second half, the New York Knicks are off to a hot start in the NBA Finals after landing the first blow against the San Antonio Spurs via a 105‑95 victory in Game 1 on Thursday.
Reigning Eastern Conference Finals MVP Jalen Brunson delivered when it mattered most, notching 30 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, including a fadeaway 15‑footer in the dying seconds to seal the victory—all while nursing a knee injury.
“Wasn’t really our night for most of the night, but we kept finding a way, kept chipping away, I just like how resilient we were tonight,” Brunson said postgame.
Knicks Rally Back in Second Half
Digging themselves under a 51‑65 deficit in the midway point of the third quarter, New York eventually willed themselves back in the fight through the offense of Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, with the latter finishing with an 18‑point, 10‑rebound double‑double.
The Knicks then unleashed an 8‑0 fourth‑quarter blitz to separate themselves from the Spurs, who responded with nine unanswered points to take the lead. However, a big three from Brunson, followed by hounding defense, eventually sealed Game 1 for the blue‑and‑white.
OG Anunoby dialed 17 points, including two big threes in the final frame, while Landry Shamet notched 17 markers off the bench. Meanwhile, Josh Hart stuffed the stat sheet with 3 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and a block.
Spurs Fold Late as Wembanyama Struggles
Despite having control for most of the game, the Spurs found themselves in a dry spell late in the fourth, failing to reciprocate Brunson and the Knicks’ hot stretch.
In his first Finals appearance, franchise star Victor Wembanyama dropped 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks, but was held to an abysmal 28% shooting from the field and a 2‑for‑9 clip from deep.
Despite the loss, the French star has nothing to worry about and remains determined to bounce back in the next outing.
“We’ve been down in a series before, never in the Finals obviously, but I’m not kicking myself about anything, I’m not worried in the slightest,” Wembanyama said postgame.
Stephon Castle paced San Antonio in the loss with 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Julian Champagnie added 16 markers and 10 boards while hitting five threes.
The Knicks will look to take both games on the road, while the Spurs will look to bounce back in Game 2 on Saturday.
