Although the San Antonio Spurs were heavily favored to take Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the opening match came down to the wire.
Despite the Spurs holding a 14-point lead in the third quarter, the New York Knicks managed to come back in the fourth. This was behind 13 fourth-quarter points from Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who had a 30-piece in his NBA Finals debut. Late-game free throws by Knicks forward OG Anunoby sealed the deal.
3 Key Takeaways From Spurs vs. Knicks NBA Finals Game 1
With their 10-point win, the Knicks continue to extend their win streak, now stretching across 12 games and four different series in the 2026 playoffs. Remarkably, 12 of the Knicks’ 13 playoff wins this postseason have come by a margin of 10 points or more.
So what are three key takeaways for both teams from Game 1 of the NBA Finals?
KAT Keeps The Alien At Bay
While Brunson is in the spotlight for his 30-point game, other players on this New York team deserve their flowers.
Karl-Anthony Towns was the primary defender on Victor Wembanyama during Game 1, after speculation that Anunoby would guard the French big man.
Towns chose to take a physical approach when guarding Wembanyama in Game 1. This made Wembanyama uncomfortable enough to settle for three-point shots and a variety of other jumpers, rather than going into the paint, where he excels with his size.
Wembanyama had an extremely inefficient game, shooting 6-for-21 from the field. He shot nine three-pointers, of which he made two. Additionally, Wembanyama shot just 2-for-12 from the field when Towns was the closest defender.
Towns will likely share minutes with Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, who played just 13 minutes in Game 1, to manage fatigue and prevent injury as the series goes on. Ensuring that Wembanyama, who has a massive impact on both ends of the floor, does not get into a rhythm will be vital for a Game 2 victory for the Knicks and in further games moving ahead.
Winning The Pace And Possession Battle
It is often said that the postseason is completely unlike regular-season basketball. A key differentiator is the pace, which is much slower in the playoffs and the finals.
Despite coming off just four days of rest from a physical Western Conference Finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs were chomping at the bit and ready to go. The first quarter of Game 1 saw San Antonio take an early 27-19 lead over New York. And while most of the game went back and forth, the Knicks went on an 11-0 run to end the game, with the Spurs not scoring in the final 2:16 of the game.
Wembanyama and Brunson began the game with quick buckets to ignite the offenses of their respective teams. While the Frenchman ended the first quarter with five points, he struggled on offense for most of the remainder of Game 1, with almost half of his total points scored coming from the free-throw line.
Of the Knicks’ nine total turnovers, eight of them came in the first half, forced in part by the Spurs’ excellent defense. This helped San Antonio push the pace and build a lead early on in the game. This forced the Knicks to try to replicate this aggressiveness for themselves, which did not work well for them.
However, by the second half, New York slowed the game down. The Knicks had just one turnover in the second half, which prevented easy transition opportunities for San Antonio.
In the NBA Finals, where every possession matters and easy buckets are important, the Knicks managed to limit unnecessary turnovers with smart and deliberate possessions in the second half. This, in turn, improved the Knicks’ shot quality, which helped the Knicks come back from being down 14 in the third quarter and take the game in the fourth. The Knicks’ ability to win this game, even when plagued by a bad shooting night, should be a cause for concern with the Spurs as the series progresses.
Playing With Hart And Hustle
Despite putting up just three points on 1-for-5 shooting from the field, Knicks guard Josh Hart seemingly decided to activate his inner big man in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Hart pulled down 15 rebounds and dished out six assists, with four steals and one block as the cherry on top.
Hart had to sit out to end the second quarter due to foul trouble, with the guard picking up 4 personal fouls over the course of the game.
All four of Hart’s steals came in the second half, with three in the fourth quarter alone. Hart also grabbed six of his 15 rebounds in the fourth quarter, ending many possessions and second-chance scoring opportunities for the Spurs. Hart’s late-game excellence defensively and on the glass helped the Knicks pull away with a 10-point win.
Last Word On Knicks vs Spurs NBA Finals Game 1
Despite trailing by 14 during the third quarter, the Knicks came all the way back in the fourth, a common theme that has followed them this postseason. While Game 1 did not disappoint, both teams have much more to give, which will be seen heading into Game 2 and beyond.
Featured Image: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
