The New York Knicks stormed back from a 14-point second-half deficit to stun the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, seizing home-court advantage behind Jalen Brunson’s 30-point masterpiece. Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 12 rebounds, while OG Anunoby chipped in 17, but it was a devastating 11-0 closing run that silenced the San Antonio crowd and rewrote Finals history.
Victor Wembanyama, the French phenom, posted 26 points and 12 rebounds in his Finals debut but endured a nightmarish shooting performance, going 6-for-21 from the field. Stephon Castle scored 17, and Julian Champagnie and Dylan Harper each had 16 for the Spurs, who had never before lost a Game 1 in the championship round — they entered with a perfect 6-0 record in such openers. That streak, along with the franchise’s record of never trailing a Finals series until its conclusion, evaporated in the final two minutes.
The Knicks, winners of 12 consecutive playoff games dating back to April, became the first team to beat San Antonio in a Finals opener and the first to push the Spurs into a series deficit during the title round. For a proud organization that has long defined Finals dominance — with legends like David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili watching from suites — the late collapse marked uncharted territory.
Midway through the third quarter, the Spurs stretched their lead to 14 points, but the Knicks answered with a 22-9 burst to tie the game at 76 heading into the fourth. The final period seesawed, and when Wembanyama sank two free throws with 2:16 left to give San Antonio a 95-94 edge, the building erupted. But Brunson responded immediately, drilling a corner three-pointer on the next possession to put New York ahead for good. The Knicks then strangled the Spurs’ offense, allowing no points the rest of the way, while tacking on eight more to close the game on an 11-0 surge.
Wembanyama, the newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year, was swarmed by multiple defenders all night and uncharacteristically misfired — even clanking a few shots off the top of the backboard. “I was bad tonight,” he said afterward with eerie calm. “It’s not more complicated than that.” The 22-year-old, who received a blessing from nuns pregame and drew the loudest ovation from the crowd, refused to panic. “I wouldn’t kick myself about anything really. I’m not worried the slightest,” he added, citing the team’s experience in overcoming series deficits earlier in these playoffs.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised his star’s accountability. “I expect he’ll learn a lot of things from tonight’s game and come out with a good approach in Game 2,” Johnson said. That resilience has been a hallmark: San Antonio lost home-court advantage to Portland in Round 1 after a Game 1 defeat, then won three straight; they trailed Minnesota in Round 2 after dropping the opener; and they rallied from 2-1 and 3-2 holes against Oklahoma City in the conference finals.
But the Knicks present a different kind of obstacle. New York has not lost since April, compiling a 12-0 mark that includes road wins over several top seeds. Their defensive versatility tightened considerably after the break, holding San Antonio to 40 second-half points and forcing Wembanyama into uncomfortable shots. The Spurs’ supporting cast went cold, and the Knicks capitalized on every miscue down the stretch.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, speaking before tipoff, reflected on Wembanyama’s meteoric rise. “He’s ahead of any timeline that people had in mind,” Silver said, noting how the young star has embraced the promotional demands of the league. Yet even with that precociousness, Game 1 showed that the Finals stage can humble even the most transcendent talents. The Spurs now must regroup for Game 2 on Friday night (1:30 a.m. UK time), clinging to a history of bouncing back in these playoffs but facing a Knicks squad that hasn’t lost in seven weeks.
Historical parallels offer some solace: the 2003 Spurs were tied twice with New Jersey in the Finals, and in 2013 they were tied three times with Miami before eventually losing in seven — a series in which they never trailed until the final buzzer sounded. Now, trailing for the first time, San Antonio must find a way to slow a Knicks juggernaut that has perfected the art of closing games. For New York, aiming for their first NBA crown in over half a century, this victory could be the pivotal step that bridges generations.
The remaining schedule: Game 2 on June 6 in San Antonio, Game 3 on June 9 and Game 4 on June 11 in New York. If necessary, Game 5 is June 14 in San Antonio, Game 6 on June 17 in New York, and a deciding Game 7 on June 20 back in Texas. All times are 1:30 a.m. for UK and Ireland viewers.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.