Knicks Win Game 1 of NBA Finals vs. Spurs, Extend Winning Streak

The New York Knicks entered Game 1 of this year’s NBA finals on one of the hottest streaks in playoff history: 11 games won in a row with opponents humiliated, humbled and crushed along the way.

On Wednesday night in San Antonio many believed that streak would end as they faced the Spurs, who had knocked out the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the previous round, and are led by the most exciting player in the world, Victor Wembanyama.

The Knicks won anyway, keeping Wembanyama quiet for long stretches in a 105-95 victory on the Spurs’ home court. They are now just three wins from their first title since 1973.

Not that it was easy. At one point in the third quarter the Spurs led by 14 points but the Knicks, who overcame a 22-point deficit to beat the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, fought back to lead 78-76 early in the fourth.

The Spurs briefly threatened to take control as the clock ticked down before the Knicks went on an 11-0 run to close out the game.

Jalen Brunson, an inspiration for the Knicks throughout these playoffs, came alive once again when it mattered as he saved his best for the closing minutes, ending the game with 30 points, 13 of them coming in the fourth quarter.

“Just sticking together – it wasn’t really our night and wasn’t really my night most of the night but we kept finding a way, kept chipping away,” Brunson said when asked how his team had managed to pull away from the Spurs. “Just knowing we have each other’s back – there’s a lot of things we could have done better, but I think our togetherness was really the biggest difference.”

Wembanyama, who briefly limped off court in the third quarter before returning, led the Spurs with 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. However, he was far from his dominant best and shot just 6-of-21 from the field.

It wasn’t just Brunson who delivered for the Knicks in the final minutes though. OG Anunoby scored 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and the team had no turnovers in the fourth quarter. The Spurs wilted in front of their home crowd though: they committed five turnovers in the fourth quarter while shooting 28.6%.

“I was bad tonight, it’s not more complicated than that,” said Wembanyama, who denied that the occasion had got to the Spurs. “It definitely felt special for sure, but nothing close that could be an excuse. [Nerves were] not a factor in our performance.”

Brunson had an injury scare of his own. At the end of the first quarter, he collided with San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes and left the game with a knee injury. He returned in the second quarter and appeared to hurt his ankle after a layup but stayed in the game.

The action was briefly interrupted in the second-half when a man ran on to court and attempted to take a selfie with Wembanyama. He was quickly removed by security but the Spurs will be concerned how easily the person was able to get so close to the players.

Game 2 is on Friday night in San Antonio before the best-of-seven series heads to what is sure to be a raucous contest at Madison Square Garden on Monday.