NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks have spent this entire postseason proving they are never out of a game and on Wednesday night, the comeback kids from the big apple added another chapter to what is quickly becoming one of the most remarkable playoff runs in franchise and NBA history.
Behind 13 fourth-quarter points from Jalen Brunson and a dominant two-way effort from Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
The victory extended New York’s winning streak to 12 consecutive playoff games, tying the 1999 Spurs for the second-longest postseason winning streak in NBA history and moving the Knicks just three victories away from their first NBA championship since 1973.
Brunson, finishing with 30 points despite battling through both knee and ankle scares during the game, struggled for much of the night, shooting 7-for-22 through three quarters before taking control late.
“He’s a gamer, man,” head coach Mike Brown said of the Knicks captain. “In the biggest moments, he shows up. That’s what MVPs are supposed to do. We put the ball in his hands and said we were going to live and die with him, and he got it done for us.”
Brunson’s performance was historic in its own right. His 30 points were the most by a Knick in an NBA Finals debut since Willis Reed scored 37 points in Game 1 of the 1970 Finals.
The comeback, erasing another double-digit deficit and this time, on the road, was hardly unfamiliar territory for a Knicks team that has built its postseason identity on resilience.
“I don’t want to say calmness, but I think we know what we have to do,” Brunson said. “I think we are a pretty together group. Being able to trust each other and still have each other’s back and know that we just have to keep chipping away, chipping away. It’s just a credit to the mentality that we have as a team.”
While Brunson delivered the finishing blows, Towns’ play kept New York afloat throughout the evening. The Dominican-American All-Star center posted 18 points, 12 rebounds and four assists while helping contain Victor Wembanyama defensively who was just 2-for-12 shooting in direct matchups.
Without Karl-Anthony Towns’ impact on both ends of the floor Wednesday night in San Antonio, the Knicks would not come out with a Game 1 Finals victory over Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs – Image Credit: NBA
“Just trying to make it difficult,” Towns said of guarding San Antonio’s seven-foot six star. “He’s an amazing player. He’s a one-of-a-kind player in this NBA.”
In another moment during the postgame Towns, losing his mother Jacqueline Cruz-Towns in 2020 due to complications of COVID-19, later became emotional discussing the significance of reaching the Finals.
“To be honest with y’all, I felt a calming presence and a peace that had to be coming from the women above,” the 30-year-old said. “I felt like I could have fun out here in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.”
Although he scored only three points, the Knicks also received another trademark performance from Josh Hart, who stuffed the stat sheet with 15 rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block.
“You look at Josh Hart’s line being 1-for-5 from the field, but the guy had 15 rebounds and four steals and made some unbelievable defensive plays,” Brown said.
San Antonio appeared in control for much of the game as the Spurs closed the first quarter on a 20-5 run and led by as many as 14 points in the third period behind Wembanyama, Julian Champagnie and rookie Dylan Harper.
But New York responded with another signature comeback, erasing the deficit behind Towns’ physical interior play before Brunson took over in winning time. A personal 8-0 Brunson run midway through the fourth quarter gave New York its first cushion of the night, and the Spurs managed only two field goals during the final 7:30.
“We just got a lot of tough guys, a lot of guys that don’t quit,” Hart said.
The win was another reminder of the Knicks’ identity Brown referenced before this series tipped off Wednesday night.
If Game 1 Wednesday night in San Antonio was just the beginning of what the 2026 NBA Finals has in store, the sports world is in for an epic seven game championship series – Image Credit: NBA
“You know that they are resilient,” he said. “For our guys to just stay with it, keep trying to fight and find a way, was remarkable.”
Now, after winning 12 straight playoff games and stealing home-court advantage, the Knicks stand three victories away from ending a 53-year championship drought.
Game 2 is Friday night in San Antonio.
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