The New York Knicks overcame a 14-point second-half deficit and closed the game on an 11-0 run to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 on Wednesday night at the Frost Bank Center, taking a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
Jalen Brunson overcame a brief injury scare to lead New York with 30 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 12 rebounds. OG Anunoby scored 17 points as the Knicks extended their playoff winning streak to 12 games, matching one of the longest postseason runs in league history.
San Antonio appeared in control after building a 14-point advantage midway through the third quarter and carried a 55-48 lead into halftime. But New York responded with a 22-9 surge to end the third period, tying the game at 76 entering the final quarter. The contest remained tight until the closing minutes. After Victor Wembanyama briefly put the Spurs ahead with free throws, Brunson answered with a go-ahead three-pointer and later added another key basket as New York pulled away.
Wembanyama finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds in his NBA Finals debut but struggled from the field, shooting 6-for-21 while committing six turnovers. Stephon Castle scored 17 points, and Julian Champagnie and Dylan Harper each added 16 for San Antonio. De’Aaron Fox endured a difficult night, shooting 3-for-13 as the Spurs faltered offensively down the stretch.
Josh Hart contributed across the board for New York with strong defensive play, while reserve Landry Shamet provided a valuable spark off the bench with 13 points. The Spurs managed only 19 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks’ defense tightened late.
The victory marked New York’s first NBA Finals game since 1999 and put the franchise three wins away from its first championship since 1973. It also handed San Antonio its first-ever Game 1 loss in an NBA Finals series.
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday night in San Antonio.
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