SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d ownloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images The Spurs came onto the biggest stage in basketball and encountered a team that was tough as nails mentally and physically. Jalen Brunson took a licking and kept on ticking, and Karl-Anthony Towns got to every loose ball and turned them into points. The Spurs had some great performances as Dylan Harper was able to get to the hoop on demand, and Julian Champagnie hit some great shots, while Wembanyama was off with his shot, Fox had a tough night. The Spurs were able to come back and lead by a point with 2 minutes left in the game, but were put away by the Knicks 11-0 closing kick as the visitors took home court away from the favored Spurs. For the Spurs to beat the Knicks, they are going to need Wembanyama to dominate, because the Knicks have so many good players that they can neutralize the rest of the Spurs roster, and if De’Aaron Fox can’t hit his shots, it’s a bad night for the Silver and Black. Hats off to Jalen Brunson, who didn’t let some poor shooting to start off discourage him, as the Knicks took over the game in the last two minutes left the home court fans bereft, except for a loud Knicks fan contingent who were ecstatic with their team’s road victory. It was a tough night for the Silver and Black, but not the first time they’ve lost the opening game of a playoff series, and they’ve been able to overcome it before in the Timberwolves series. They’re going to have to do it again if they want to win the championship, and they will need to break the Knicks 12 game winning streak on Friday night to get started on that task. Four more wins, people, and that starts with the first one in Game 2 in a couple of days. Observations “Impatience can be a virtue ..”—Victor Wembanyama. He’s ready to win now, and doesn’t see the need to wait to ‘pay his dues.’ Because even at his young age, he’s already paid his dues, with talent and dedication. “Pressure busts pipes.”—Shaquille O’Neal. He oughtta know. It’s a little different twist on the saying about diamonds, but I’ll allow it. The prevalent narrative is that the Knicks are the veteran team that can handle the pressure of a finals more, but I think that Mitch Johnson has done a great job of preparing the team to be able to perform under pressure. KAT won the opening tip and got the ball to Brunson for a quick triple. NYC got off to a quick 12-7 start as the Spurs started off cold and the Knicks red hot after their long layoff. Luke Kornet took over for Wemby halfway through the first as the Spurs won the first quarter minutes with the big guy on the bench, retaking the lead on a Dylan Harper and-one with a little over 4 minutes left in the quarter, and the Spurs led 22-17 when Wemby returned with a little over 2 minutes left. Brunson had to go to the locker room in the first quarter when Barnes fell into his leg after being fouled, and looked like he might have hyperextended his right knee. The Spur led 27-19 at the end of the first quarter, completely negating New York’s hot start with a 10 point explosion from Dylan Harper. NYC was tough to start the second quarter, as they stepped up the defense and made some hustle plays to cut into the deficit. Brunson re-entered the game after a puzzling challenge from the Spurs where Victor knocked KAT on his ass. Shows what I know, the Spurs won the challenge. The Spurs were in the penalty for 8 minutes in the second quarter, but they couldn’t take advantage with only 4 free throws in the quarter. Brunson brought the Knicks back into the game with his scoring, until the Spurs finished on a late surge to lead 55-48 at the half, with Julian Champagnie getting open looks and knocking them to become the game’s leading scorer with 15 points at the half. The Knicks only scored 2 points in the first 5 minutes of the second half, and it felt like a missed opportunity that the Spurs only scored 8 to take a 13 point lead. Wemby had to sit, and a 6-0 run from the Knicks brought them back within 6 of the home team, 61-67. Towns took control of the game in the third quarter as he got to every loose ball and punished the Spurs on the offensive boards to cut the deficit to two, with Brunson tying it up 71 each with 2 minutes left in the third. The score was tied 76-76 at the end of the third, due to a Deuce McBride circus shot that somehow went in after bouncing off the backboard on it’s way in from the short corner. Anunoby went nuclear to start the fourth, and did something you hardly ever see, beating Wembanyama one-on-one for a pure three point shot … nothing but net, as the Knicks took a five point lead. The Spurs tied it up on a Castle three and a Vassell tip-in and the game was tied 86-86. An unfortunate incident happened The Knicks took an eight point lead with 5 minutes left with the Spurs looking a bit like the pressure was too much for them, and the NYC contingent in the crowd going wild as Brunson took over for the Orange and Blue. It was definitely the low point of the game for the Silver and Black. The Spurs retook the lead with an 8-0 run to lead 95-94 with a little over 2 minutes left. A critical tip from Brunson on the next possession allowed him to get the ball back for a cold-blooded triple to retake the lead for the Manhattan team. The Knicks scored 9 in a row and led by 8 with 20 seconds left, and it was capped with a couple of Anonuby free throws as the Knicks won by double digits. Up next The Spurs are back in the Frost Bank Center on Friday night at 7:30 PM. That’s right, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel. See you there. ...read more read less