NBA Finals Game 1 opened with the New York Knicks rallying from a 14-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95, taking a 1-0 lead and extending their postseason winning streak to 12 games.
The Knicks received a huge lift from Jalen Brunson (謝倫賓臣), who finished with 30 points and poured in 13 in the fourth quarter after briefly leaving the court with a knee injury late in the first quarter, according to the team. He returned to the game after treatment and helped close out the victory.
Brunson had struggled with his shot for much of the game but used the fourth quarter to break the contest open, leading a decisive 11-0 run that erased the Spurs’ lead and put New York ahead for good, according to the NBA box score.
NBA Finals Game 1, Brunson takeover
Despite a slow start, Brunson seized control late, and his performance underscored why the Knicks leaned on him in clutch minutes. He finished with 30 points, and his fourth-quarter scoring run was the turning point of NBA Finals Game 1.
The Knicks also got a physical defensive presence inside. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby helped form a stout rim protection package in the paint.
Spurs fall after early lead, Wembanyama struggles
The Spurs, who led by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, could not sustain their advantage. Victor Wembanyama (雲班亞馬) led San Antonio with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, but he was 6 of 21 from the field and committed six turnovers, according to the official box score.
San Antonio’s outside shooting collapsed late. The Spurs went 0 for 9 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, leaving their perimeter scorers unable to support Wembanyama when the Knicks tightened their defense.
Turnovers, defensive lapses cost Spurs
San Antonio committed 16 turnovers, many of which the Knicks converted into transition points. The Spurs’ youth showed under Finals pressure, and those miscues helped fuel New York’s comeback, according to the game recap and team statements.
Coaching decisions also came under scrutiny. Knicks coach Mike Brown (米克布朗) managed player minutes and lineups effectively, while Spurs coach Mitch Johnson (米治莊遜) did not make enough late adjustments to stop Brunson’s surge, the Knicks said in postgame comments.
Role players and defense swing Game 1
Forward Josh Hart (祖舒赫特) reinforced his reputation as one of the league’s premier role players, grabbing 13 rebounds and repeatedly crashing the offensive glass in the fourth quarter to create second-chance opportunities for the Knicks.
The Knicks’ interior defense, anchored by Towns, Anunoby, and Robinson, limited San Antonio’s easy looks in the paint late, and that defensive presence helped New York protect its lead down the stretch.
What the pundits say about NBA Finals Game 1
After Game 1 several high-profile commentators updated or restated their series predictions. Charles Barkley predicted the Knicks would win the series 4-2, praising New York’s resilience, according to his postgame remarks.
Shaquille O’Neal did not make a firm series call but complimented Towns’ ability to battle Wembanyama on defense, the analyst said on the broadcast. Stephen A. Smith, a noted Knicks supporter, forecast a 4-2 Knicks victory, citing Brunson’s leadership.
Skip Bayless predicted a Spurs comeback, projecting a 4-3 Spurs series win and arguing Wembanyama can adjust quickly. ESPN’s panelists largely entered the Finals favoring the Spurs to win the title and for Wembanyama to earn MVP honors, and they said Game 1 did not change their view.
Historical context points to the importance of Game 1. A review of past NBA Finals by Basketball-Reference shows the team that won Game 1 went on to win the title 54 times in 78 Finals, about 69.6 percent. When a road team wins Game 1, the eventual championship rate drops to roughly 44.4 percent, underscoring that the series remains highly competitive despite an early road win.
Game 2 is scheduled for the same venue, and both teams said they will make adjustments. The series continues with the Knicks holding a 1-0 lead after NBA Finals Game 1.
