The New York Knicks continued their remarkable postseason run with a 105-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio, extending their playoff winning streak to 12 games and moving three wins away from their first championship since 1973.
New York entered the series riding a dominant stretch that had included 11 consecutive playoff wins, but many expected the Spurs to provide their toughest challenge yet. San Antonio had eliminated the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the previous round and entered the finals behind Victor Wembanyama, the league’s most talked-about young star. In front of a home crowd, the Spurs were viewed as a team capable of ending the Knicks’ surge.
Instead, the Knicks delivered another composed and balanced performance, limiting Wembanyama for long stretches and taking control when the game tightened late. Jalen Brunson again proved to be the difference-maker for New York. After a relatively quiet three quarters, he produced a strong finish and scored 30 points overall, with 13 of those coming in the fourth quarter. His late scoring helped the Knicks close out the game and preserve their advantage.
Defense was also central to the win. New York’s ability to contain the Spurs’ offense, especially in key moments, gave the Knicks the edge they needed on the road. Karl-Anthony Towns also played an important role, contributing on both ends of the floor in a matchup that tested him against Wembanyama. While Wembanyama still finished with a high scoring total, much of that came from the free-throw line, as the Knicks made him work for his points.
The result adds another chapter to what has become one of the most impressive playoff runs in recent NBA history. What began with New York trailing the Atlanta Hawks 2-1 in the first round has transformed into a march through the Eastern Conference and now a strong start to the finals. The Knicks’ current streak is not only their best of the postseason, but one of the longest in league playoff history.
The matchup also highlighted two very different approaches to team building. The Knicks’ roster is built around a mix of veteran stars and players acquired through trades, free agency and the draft, while the Spurs’ core features several high lottery picks and a younger, more homegrown structure. That contrast added intrigue to a series already shaped by elite talent, experience and rising expectations.
For New York, the message from Game 1 was clear: the Knicks are not just on a hot streak, they are proving they can win in different ways against elite opposition. For San Antonio, the loss served as a reminder that even with Wembanyama leading the way, the finals demand near-perfect execution. With the series just beginning, the Knicks have seized early control and turned momentum into a real championship opportunity.
