Knicks Take Game 1 Behind Brunson's Brilliance
NEW YORK — Madison Square Garden erupted as the New York Knicks drew first blood in the 2026 NBA Finals, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 118-109 in Game 1 on Tuesday night.
Jalen Brunson was magnificent, pouring in 34 points on 12-of-20 shooting while dishing out 9 assists. The All-NBA guard controlled the tempo from the opening tip, repeatedly breaking down San Antonio's defense with his crafty drives and step-back jumpers.
Key Moments
The Knicks seized control with a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Spurs 35-24 to turn a 58-55 halftime lead into a comfortable cushion. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges added 17 points and stellar defense on Devin Vassell.
Victor Wembanyama did everything he could for San Antonio, finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks. But the Spurs struggled from beyond the arc (9-of-31, 29%), and their bench was outscored 35-22 by New York's reserves.
What It Means
The Knicks now lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 with Game 2 set for June 5 at Madison Square Garden. History favors New York — teams that win Game 1 of the NBA Finals have gone on to win the championship 70.7% of the time.
Key Stats
- Brunson: 34 PTS, 9 AST, 5 REB, 12-20 FG
- Towns: 22 PTS, 11 REB, 3 AST
- Bridges: 17 PTS, 4 STL, 3 AST
- Wembanyama: 28 PTS, 12 REB, 4 BLK
- Vassell: 19 PTS, 5 REB
- Castle: 14 PTS, 6 AST (off bench)
Series: Knicks lead 1-0. Game 2: Thursday, June 5 — 8:00 PM ET on ABC.