4 key highlights that decided Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals

Even though they were on the road against the San Antonio Spurs and fell behind by 14 points at one point, the New York Knicks showed again why they are the best team in the playoffs, winning with a dramatic rally and stretching their winning run to 12 consecutive games.

The courage of the "New York King"

Throughout the first three quarters, the Spurs' extended defense nearly neutralized Jalen Brunson, limiting him to 7-of-22 shooting. He even had to briefly leave the court after collisions in the first two quarters.

However, the drop in efficiency did not shake the will of the guard wearing number 11. In the final eight minutes, Brunson exploded, scoring 13 of his total 30 points to seal the game. 105-95 victory for the Knicks.

When asked about the secret to maintaining his composure, Brunson shared: "I choose to keep trusting in what I've worked hard on. Moreover, knowing that my teammates are always ready to cover for me is the biggest pillar that helps me stay steady under road pressure."

That determination was embodied by two high-level plays in the fourth quarter: a corner three-pointer that put the Knicks ahead, and a difficult mid-range shot while falling back, with Devin Vassell closely defending, with just 37 seconds left in the game.

Victor Wembanyama's stamina limits

Victor Wembanyama entered Game 1 showing clear signs of exhaustion. This was an inevitable consequence after the center had to play a full grueling seven-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the previous round. Notably, during the regular season, the Spurs coaching staff carefully managed Wembanyama's workload, limiting his playing time to under 30 minutes per game.

The overexertion caused the French star to play disjointedly, committing six turnovers and relying too much on outside three-pointers instead of attacking the rim. As a result, he had his least efficient game since the start of the playoffs, missing 15 of his 21 shot attempts.

Nevertheless, Wembanyama asserted that his confidence was not shaken by the loss:

"I don't blame myself for anything. I'm not worried at all because I'm sure the Spurs team and I will come back much stronger in the upcoming games."

The importance of role players in the Knicks' lineup structure

Building on his impressive performance from the conference finals, Shamet continued to serve as an "X-factor" off the bench, scoring 13 points including three three-pointers. Shamet's threat from beyond the arc stretched the Spurs' defense to its limits.

In addition to Shamet's perimeter pressure, the efficiency of the Knicks' lineup was also ensured by Josh Hart's gritty play. Despite having a quiet offensive game with only three points, Hart dominated the boards with 15 rebounds — the highest in the game. The forward's ability to battle in the paint not only disrupted the Spurs' fast breaks but also created crucial second-chance opportunities for the Knicks' shooters in the closing stages.

Personnel missteps and the Spurs' urgent need for change

The bottleneck that led to the San Antonio Spurs' loss was the conservative coaching decisions in the fourth quarter. When the team was stuck, they chose to rely on De'Aaron Fox's experience over Dylan Harper's hot hand.

De'Aaron Fox had a terrible game, consistently out of sync, inefficient shooting, and accumulating 5 personal fouls and 3 turnovers.

The Game 1 loss showed that the Spurs cannot mechanically keep using the old lineup. If they want to turn the tide in Game 2, the coaching staff must bravely adjust both personnel and strategy. Otherwise, they will pay a heavy price against the seasoned New York Knicks.

Game 2 of the Finals will take place in the early hours of next Saturday (Vietnam time) at the San Antonio Spurs' home arena, Frost Bank Center.