Knicks Stun Spurs in Game 1 Behind Brunson's 30

Knicks Stun Spurs in Game 1 Behind Brunson’s 30

Sport

By lines

June 3, 2026

The New York Knicks opened the 2026 NBA Finals with a 105-95 Game 1 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points to lead all scorers on the road. The Knicks erased a 14-point second-half deficit inside a loud San Antonio arena.

Brunson Powers New York Comeback in San Antonio

Game 1 tipped Wednesday night in San Antonio between the Spurs and Knicks. The Knicks trailed by 14 points during the second half on the road. New York then closed the game on a decisive fourth-quarter run. Jalen Brunson finished with 30 points to pace the Knicks comeback. The final score read 105-95 in favor of New York.

Jalen Brunson shot 12 of 31 from the field across Game 1. Brunson opened the night 1 of 8 and slumped to 5 of 18 at one point. Brunson still delivered 30 points despite that cold shooting stretch. The Knicks also leaned on Brunson through a pair of in-game injury scares.

Victor Wembanyama anchored the Spurs in his third NBA season. San Antonio entered the Finals as the betting favorite over New York. The Spurs built a 14-point lead before the New York comeback erased it. The Spurs failed to turn that double-digit cushion into a Game 1 win. A fan even sprinted onto the court for a Wembanyama selfie in the fourth quarter.

The Knicks have now won 12 consecutive playoff games during this title run. That streak matches the New York franchise pace from its 1999 postseason. The Knicks reached their first NBA Finals in 27 years with the victory. New York last competed for an NBA title back in 1999. The Knicks last won the championship all the way back in 1973.

The Game 1 result gives the Knicks a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Finals. New York also stole home-court advantage from the Spurs with the road win. The Spurs now must win four of the next six games to take the title. The Spurs lost Game 1 on their home floor in the series opener. San Antonio dropped the opener despite holding favorite status at tip-off.

Game 2 stays in San Antonio between the Knicks and the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will try to even the series at home. Jalen Brunson and the Knicks chase a commanding 2-0 road lead instead. The Finals then shift to New York for Game 3 and Game 4.