Despite trailing by 14 points in the second half and facing a hostile road environment in San Antonio, the New York Knicks stormed back to defeat the Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. New York’s defense tightened when it mattered most, Jalen Brunson delivered in the clutch once again, and the Knicks closed the game on an 11-0 run to steal home-court advantage and take a 1-0 series lead.
The 2026 NBA Finals opened with a heavyweight battle between two franchises looking to add another championship banner to their history, and it was the New York Knicks who landed the final punch.
For much of the night, it looked like Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs were in control. By the final buzzer, however, it was Brunson and the Knicks celebrating a massive road victory.
First Quarter: Spurs Feed Off the Home Crowd
The opening quarter featured exactly the kind of physical basketball expected in an NBA Finals matchup.
San Antonio came out aggressive defensively and established an early rhythm through Victor Wembanyama, who immediately impacted the game on both ends of the floor. The 7-foot-4 superstar altered shots around the rim while also creating opportunities offensively.
The Knicks countered through Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, who worked inside and out to keep New York within striking distance. Both teams traded baskets throughout the period, with neither side able to generate a significant advantage.
The pace was deliberate, possessions were contested, and the atmosphere felt every bit like an NBA Finals game.
Second Quarter: San Antonio Builds Momentum
The Spurs found another gear in the second quarter.
Wembanyama continued to dominate stretches of the game while San Antonio’s supporting cast helped generate offense through ball movement and transition opportunities. The Spurs were able to force turnovers and convert them into points, creating separation on the scoreboard.
Meanwhile, New York struggled to find consistency offensively. The Knicks missed several perimeter opportunities and allowed San Antonio to control the tempo.
As halftime approached, the Spurs appeared to have momentum firmly on their side. Their defense was active, their offense was flowing, and the home crowd was fully engaged.
Still, New York remained within striking distance thanks to Brunson’s steady playmaking and Towns’ presence on the glass.
Third Quarter: Spurs Push Lead to 14
The defining stretch of the game appeared to come during the third quarter.
San Antonio built its largest lead of the night at 14 points and seemed poised to take complete control of Game 1. Wembanyama continued putting pressure on New York’s defense, finishing the game with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocked shots.
The Spurs’ length and athleticism created problems for New York throughout the quarter, and for a moment it looked like the Knicks were running out of answers.
But championship-caliber teams rarely panic.
Instead of forcing shots or abandoning their game plan, the Knicks slowly chipped away at the deficit. Towns began finding opportunities inside, while the Knicks’ defense started forcing tougher shots from San Antonio’s perimeter players.
The comeback wasn’t explosive. It was methodical.
Possession by possession, New York worked itself back into the game.
Fourth Quarter: Brunson Takes Over
The final quarter belonged to Jalen Brunson.
Already one of the biggest clutch performers of the 2026 postseason, Brunson delivered again when the Knicks needed him most. He scored 13 of his game-high 30 points during the fourth quarter and repeatedly answered San Antonio’s attempts to regain control.
OG Anunoby also stepped up in a major way, scoring 12 of his 17 points during the final period. His two-way play gave New York a major boost as the game tightened.
With less than two minutes remaining and the score deadlocked, one of the biggest plays of the night unfolded.
After a crucial offensive rebound by Mikal Bridges, Brunson connected on a three-pointer with 1:57 remaining to give New York a 97-95 lead. It was the moment that shifted the game permanently in the Knicks’ favor.
The Spurs never recovered.
New York’s defense locked in over the final minutes, preventing San Antonio from scoring again. The Knicks closed the game on an 11-0 run, turning a tense Finals opener into a statement road victory.
The Numbers That Defined Game 1
Brunson led all scorers with 30 points while once again proving why he has become one of the NBA’s premier postseason performers.
Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, providing the interior presence New York needed throughout the comeback.
Anunoby added 17 points and delivered several critical baskets during the fourth quarter surge.
For San Antonio, Wembanyama posted an impressive stat line with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. However, New York’s defensive pressure forced him into an inefficient shooting night as he finished just 6-for-21 from the field and committed six turnovers.
One of the biggest statistical stories of the game came from beyond the arc.
The Spurs shot just 2-for-19 from three-point range in the second half, a dramatic drop-off that allowed New York to erase the deficit and control the closing minutes.
De’Aaron Fox also struggled to find his rhythm, finishing just 3-for-13 from the field as New York’s perimeter defense disrupted San Antonio’s offensive flow.
What It Means Moving Forward
Game 1 victories do not win championships, but they often reveal which team is better prepared for the moment.
The Knicks demonstrated resilience, composure, and championship-level execution under pressure. Winning on the road after trailing by 14 points is the type of performance that can shift an entire series.
More importantly, New York showed it can withstand San Antonio’s size, athleticism, and home-court advantage.
For the Spurs, there are still plenty of positives. Wembanyama looked capable of being the best player on the floor for long stretches, and San Antonio controlled significant portions of the game.
The concern will be execution late.
The Spurs failed to score during New York’s game-ending run and struggled to generate quality perimeter offense throughout the second half.
Game 2 now becomes critical. A Spurs victory would reset the series before it heads to Madison Square Garden. A Knicks win would send New York home with a commanding 2-0 advantage and all the momentum.
One game into the NBA Finals, the Knicks have already accomplished their mission.
They came into San Antonio, weathered an early storm, erased a double-digit deficit, and left with a 105-95 victory and a 1-0 lead in the race for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Here’s a version you can drop directly into the article with sourced betting references:
Betting Recap From Game 1 and What the Odds Are Saying About Game 2
Heading into Game 1, sportsbooks largely favored the Spurs to protect home court. Most major books, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and ESPN BET listings, had San Antonio as a 4.5-point favorite with the total set between 217.5 and 218.5 points. Moneyline odds generally ranged from Spurs -185 to -205 and Knicks +154 to +170. (DraftKings Network)
New York rewarded bettors who backed the underdog. The Knicks not only covered the spread but won outright by 10 points, delivering one of the biggest playoff road victories of their postseason run. The final score of 105-95 also cashed comfortably for bettors who took the under on the game total. (The Guardian)
The result was particularly notable because San Antonio led by 14 points during the second half and appeared to have control of the game before New York mounted its comeback. Bettors who took the Knicks moneyline saw New York erase that deficit and finish the game on an 11-0 run. (The Guardian)
Before the series began, many sportsbooks viewed the Spurs as favorites to win the NBA Finals, with series prices ranging from approximately -188 to -220, while the Knicks entered as underdogs between +158 and +162. (CBS Sports)
Game 2 Prediction and Betting Outlook
While official Game 2 odds may continue to move before tipoff, several betting analysts projected San Antonio to remain favored at home even after the Game 1 loss. Some projections anticipated the Spurs being roughly 5.5 to 6.5-point favorites in Game 2 due to home-court advantage and the expectation of positive shooting regression. (Yahoo Sports)
That expectation is understandable.
The Spurs shot just 2-for-19 from three-point range in the second half of Game 1, while De’Aaron Fox struggled to a 3-for-13 shooting performance. Both numbers are likely to improve moving forward. (New York Post)
Victor Wembanyama still produced 26 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks despite an inefficient shooting night, suggesting San Antonio may have another level available offensively if its supporting cast performs better. (The Guardian)
For New York, the formula remains simple. Continue leaning on Jalen Brunson’s elite late-game shot making, Karl-Anthony Towns’ ability to stretch the floor, and the defensive versatility of OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart.
Respect My Region Game 2 Prediction
Spurs 108, Knicks 104
San Antonio played well enough to win large portions of Game 1 and should enter Game 2 with a greater sense of urgency. Expect Fox to be more aggressive, Wembanyama to continue carrying a major offensive workload, and the Spurs to shoot significantly better from beyond the arc.
New York has proven it can win in San Antonio, but the adjustments typically favor the team coming off a loss between Games 1 and 2.
Updated NBA Finals Series Prediction
Even with what I predict to be a Spurs victory in Game 2, the overall outlook of the series has changed.
The Knicks already accomplished their primary objective by stealing home-court advantage. Brunson continues to look like one of the NBA’s most reliable postseason closers, and New York’s ability to overcome double-digit deficits has become a defining characteristic of this playoff run.
Originally I predicted it was Spurs in 6. Now it looks like it might be Knicks in 6.
Game 1 demonstrated that New York can win even when Wembanyama puts up superstar numbers and even when San Antonio controls significant stretches of the game.
If the Knicks continue getting balanced production from Brunson, Towns, Anunoby, Bridges, and Hart, they remain in the driver’s seat despite likely entering Game 2 as road underdogs once again.
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Sources: DraftKings Sportsbook odds, FanDuel Sportsbook odds, ESPN odds page, NBC Sports betting preview, CBS Sports betting preview, Covers, Yahoo Sports betting analysis, Reuters game preview.
Sources: NBA Finals Game 1 coverage and box score reporting from NBA.com, ESPN, NBC New York, New York Post, Express-News, and The Guardian.
