The New York Knicks made a roaring comeback to beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, June 3. The Knicks came back from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to win 105-95. The victory means the third game of the series will now be played in New York, giving the Knicks an advantage. The Spurs will be keen to bounce back in the next face-off on home soil before moving to Madison Square. The Knicks have now won 12 games in a row since Game 4 of the first round against the Atlanta Hawks.
Spurs vs Knicks: How Game 1 of NBA Finals Unfolded?
With Julian Champagnie leading the charge, the Spurs secured a six-point lead at halftime before making it 65-51 midway through the third quarter. The Knicks came back with an 11-4 run after Wembanyama returned to the bench and managed to tie the game before the third quarter ended.
New York’s defense did an excellent job of stopping Victor Wembanyama, limiting the Spurs star to just 6-of-21 shooting from the field. Despite the tough outing, Wembanyama registered a team-high 26 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. However, fatigue appeared to set in late in the game as he committed six turnovers and struggled to find his rhythm offensively.
New York Knicks’ Comeback
Jalen Brunson spearheaded the New York attack with a game-high 30 points. However, his shooting performance was not up to the mark, converting 12 of his 31 attempts and 2 of 9 from beyond the arc. He also picked up knee and ankle scares in the first half. Brunson also contributed three rebounds and two assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns provided another strong all-around display, recording 18 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and a block while shooting 7-of-15 from the floor. Still, it was Brunson who took control in the closing stages, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter to help guide New York to victory.
The Knicks appeared to be in control, securing a 94-86 lead with less than five minutes remaining. However, San Antonio made their best efforts in the last minutes, and two free throws from Victor Wembanyama put the Spurs ahead 95-94 with just over two minutes left on the clock.
New York responded immediately, as Jalen Brunson knocked down a clutch corner three-pointer to reclaim the lead. Moments later, he delivered again, weaving through traffic for a difficult floater that stretched the Knicks’ advantage to six points in the closing minute.
The Knicks ultimately finished the contest on an emphatic 11-0 run as the Spurs struggled to maintain their composure. Brunson once again stole the show, showcasing the poise and big-game mentality that have defined his career since his championship-winning days at Villanova.
