2026 NBA Finals: Biggest takeaways from Knicks-Spurs Game 1NBA InsidersMultiple AuthorsJun 3, 2026, 11:40 PM ET
tamil yogi
The 2026 NBA Finals are finally here as only two teams remain in the playing field, vying for a chance to raise the Larry O’ Brien trophy.
The New York Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals to reach the championship round for the first time since 1999. They will look to end a decades-long drought, as they haven’t won an NBA Finals series since 1973.
The San Antonio Spurs, in the finals for the first time since 2014, will look to rally behind their rising superstar Victor Wembanyama and a cast of young players. They’re coming off a contentious seven-game series against the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Each game, our NBA insiders will break down the biggest takeaways from each team, overreactions to keep an eye on and what to watch as the series continues.
More coverage:
Schedules and results | Offseason guides
(3) New York Knicks lead the (2) San Antonio Spurs 1-0
Game 1: Knicks 105, Spurs 95
Biggest takeaways for the Spurs: San Antonio released its grip on Finals opening-night supremacy, falling for the first time in Game 1 after posting a 6-0 record all-time in the first game of the final round. Spurs guards Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper struggled mightily against Jalen Brunson, who scored 19 of his game-high 30 points in the second half. San Antonio boasts arguably the league’s most impactful defender in Victor Wembanyama, but the visitors destroyed the Spurs in the paint, outscoring the home team 50-42 in that area. — Michael C. Wright
Biggest takeaways for the Knicks: This Knicks team didn’t appear to be awed by the atmosphere, nor the specter of Wembanyama. Despite only leading for 19:31 minutes all game, Brunson’s takeover in the fourth quarter seemed to be the winning formula for the Knicks. He took 30 shots in total for 30 points, with nine shots taken in the fourth. Once they shut down the Spurs’ 3-point shooting, it felt like a matter of time before they took firm control and established themselves in the series. A familiar formula: Karl-Anthony Towns early, Brunson late. — Vincent Goodwill
Game 1 overreaction: The Knicks are now the favorites
The verdict: Overreaction.
Yes, the Knicks have stolen homecourt away from San Antonio, and Wembanyama certainly looked like his energy was still sapped from the grueling seven-game slugfest with the Thunder in the Western Conference finals. But Brunson — while he made some remarkable shots — was extremely inefficient. San Antonio left a lot on the table and we have already seen the Spurs win two games in Oklahoma City.
What isn’t an overreaction, though? This series is going six games — at least. — Tim Bontemps
Stat to know: Brunson also had his 38th 25-point playoff game with Knicks — the second-most in franchise history behind Patrick Ewing (43). The Knicks are now 6-0 this postseason when Brunson scores 30-plus points.
What to watch for in Game 2
Game 2: New York at San Antonio (Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
The Spurs gave away a 14-point lead in front of an exceptional home crowd because their offense fell off a cliff in the second half once the Knicks tightened up their transition defense. Wembanyama could have played a more forceful game, but the Spurs finished with their lowest scoring total this postseason because they couldn’t find anyone besides Julian Champagnie capable of consistently hitting 3s. While Champagnie carried over his hot shooting from the end of the Western Conference finals by hitting five attempts from deep, the rest of San Antonio’s rotation combined to shoot 6-33 (18.2%) from outside. The Spurs entered the Finals ranked fourth in three-point efficiency during the playoffs, so they should expect Wembanyama, Fox, Devin Vassell and Castle to show improvement in Game 2 and beyond. — Ben Golliver
