Knicks Comeback Win
Jalen Brunson Leads Knicks' Stellar 14-Point Comeback to Secure Game 1 Finals Victory
The New York Knicks won Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, 2026, beating the San Antonio Spurs 105–95 La Opinión de Murcia. They did it the hard way — erasing a 14-point deficit in the second half to stun San Antonio at Frost Bank Center. It was the Knicks' first Finals victory in 9,845 days, dating back to June 21, 1999 Fox Sports.
Jalen Brunson led the charge with 30 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter alone. He played through two injury scares — a right knee blow and a rolled ankle — and still hit the shots that sealed the game. "He's a gamer, man," coach Mike Brown said. "In the biggest moments, he shows up. That's what MVPs are supposed to do" NBC Sports.
Brunson Fights Through Pain to Close the Game
Brunson left the court in the first quarter after a collision left him with an apparent knee injury. He came back, then rolled his ankle in the second quarter. Despite all that, he played 37 minutes. In the final two minutes, he hit a corner three-pointer with 1:50 left and a spinning jumper with 38 seconds left to put the game away The Washington Post.
Brunson kept his postgame message simple. "I think we know what we have to do," he said. "We're a pretty together group. We weren't going to get it back in one possession" The Washington Post. OG Anunoby backed him up with 17 points — 12 in the fourth quarter. Josh Hart added 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals.
Spurs Blow a 14-Point Lead in Four Minutes
San Antonio looked in control at the midpoint of the third quarter, leading 65–51. Rookie Dylan Harper had given the Spurs a spark off the bench with 16 first-half points. Victor Wembanyama appeared dominant early, finishing with 26 points and 12 rebounds. But the wheels came off late.
Wembanyama shot just 6-of-21 from the field — 28.6% — his worst shooting night of the postseason. He also turned the ball over six times. The Knicks closed the game on an 11–0 run after trailing 95–94 with just over two minutes left The Washington Post. Wembanyama did not make excuses. "I was bad tonight," he said. "It's not more complicated than that" Fox Sports.
A Fan Rushes the Court During a Live Spurs Possession
Late in the fourth quarter, a fan ran onto the court mid-play to take a selfie with Wembanyama. Referees stopped play and called a jump ball. The Spurs kept possession, but the bizarre interruption halted any momentum San Antonio had built. Wembanyama refused to blame the incident for the loss.
The Knicks' win extended their postseason winning streak to 12 straight games, tying the second-longest single-season run in NBA history RealGM. The 18,835 fans at Frost Bank Center went home silent. New York's postseason run has already generated an estimated $202 million in economic activity for the city, with projections reaching $465 million if the series goes seven games NYC Economic Development Corp.
Game 2 Friday: Brunson's Health Is the Key Story
Game 2 tips off Friday, June 5, at 8:00 PM EST — still in San Antonio. The Spurs must win to keep home-court advantage before the series moves to Madison Square Garden. San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson pointed to his team's inability to protect the paint as a key failure in Game 1.
All eyes will be on Brunson's right knee and ankle heading into Friday. The Knicks held a practice session on June 4, and updates on his status were expected after. Mike Brown's first season as Knicks coach — he replaced the fired Tom Thibodeau in July 2025 — has now taken New York all the way to the Finals SNY. Critics called the Thibodeau firing "embarrassing." Brown may get the last word.
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