The New York Knicks stunned the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Wednesday night, snapping the Spurs’ six-game losing streak in Finals openers and extending their own playoff winning streak to 12 games—the seventh team in NBA history to achieve such a feat. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points, including a clutch fadeaway jumper with 38 seconds left, while Victor Wembanyama’s 26 points and 12 rebounds couldn’t overcome the Knicks’ late surge. The win marks the first time the Spurs have trailed in a Finals game before the final buzzer, and the Knicks now face a best-of-seven series where three more victories will secure their first championship since 1973.
A Historic Run Continues: The Knicks’ 12-Game Playoff Streak
The Knicks’ 12-game playoff winning streak is the longest in the league this postseason, joining elite company: only six teams in NBA history have ever won 12 or more straight playoff games, and just three have done so in a single season. Golden State in 2017 (15 games) and San Antonio in 1999 (12 games) are the only other franchises to match or exceed this mark, both on their way to championships. For New York, the streak began after a narrow Game 3 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, and since then, they’ve dismantled the Hawks, 76ers, and Cavaliers in succession. “I think we know what we have to do,” Jalen Brunson said after the win. “I think we’re a pretty together group.”
The streak also carries historical weight for the Spurs, who entered the Finals as the defending Western Conference champions. Their 6-0 record in Finals Game 1s was shattered by the Knicks, who became the first team ever to defeat San Antonio in a title-series opener. The Spurs’ emotional rollercoaster continued after their Game 7 victory over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals, and Wednesday’s loss compounded the pressure. “I was bad tonight,” Wembanyama admitted, shooting just 6 of 21 from the field. “It’s not more complicated than that.”
Brunson’s Clutch Performance and the Knicks’ Late Rally
Jalen Brunson’s 30-point night was the defining performance of the game, but his journey to that total was far from smooth. The Knicks’ floor general suffered two separate injuries in the first half—first a right knee collision with Harrison Barnes in the first quarter, then a rolled left ankle after stepping on Luke Kornet’s foot in the second. Despite the pain, Brunson returned to the court and finished with 12 of 31 shooting, including a career-defining moment in the fourth quarter.
For more on this story, see NBA Results: Timberwolves Beat Spurs, Knicks Crush Sixers.
With the Knicks trailing by 14 points midway through the third quarter, Brunson orchestrated a 22-9 run to tie the game at 76. His 3-ball with 38 seconds left put New York up 97-95, and a final offensive foul on the next possession sealed the victory. “He’s a gamer, man,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “In the biggest moments, he shows up. That’s what MVPs are supposed to do.”
The Spurs, meanwhile, struggled with their own offensive woes. Wembanyama, the league’s most dominant two-way player, was held to 6 of 21 shooting, while Stephon Castle (17 points), Julian Champagnie (16), and rookie Dylan Harper (16) combined for a lackluster effort. Harper, however, made history as the first rookie since at least 1998 to score 10 or more points in an opening Finals quarter, dropping 10 in the first period.
The NBA’s Eighth Different Champion in Eight Years
The Knicks’ victory in Game 1 sets up a best-of-seven series where the winner will become the NBA’s eighth different champion in eight years—a streak of volatility unseen in modern league history. Since the Warriors won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, no team has repeated as champion, and the league has cycled through Cleveland, Golden State, Houston, Toronto, Milwaukee, Denver, and Oklahoma City in the years since. The Spurs, now seeking their fifth title, are the only repeat contenders in this era, having lost in the 2025 Finals to Oklahoma City.
For the Knicks, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A championship would erase the franchise’s 53-year title drought, tying them with the Boston Celtics for the longest active wait in the NBA. The Spurs, meanwhile, are chasing their first title since 2014, with Wembanyama and a core built around him looking to solidify their legacy. The series shifts to San Antonio for Game 2 on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET, where the Spurs will look to answer their first Finals lead deficit in franchise history.
This follows our earlier report, ¿Fueron los Knicks de 2023-24 un equipo histórico o solo un fenómeno de suerte? La NBA lo decidirá en las Finales” (Alternativa más concisa:) “Knicks: ¿Legado NBA o solo suerte? Las Finales revelarán la verdad.
Where to Watch: Streaming Options for the NBA Finals
Fans without ABC subscriptions can still catch the NBA Finals through several streaming services, each offering free trials or discounted rates. DirecTV provides a five-day free trial, with packages starting at $19.99 per month. Fubo also offers a five-day trial, with plans beginning at $45.99 for the first month and $55.99 thereafter. Sling includes ABC in its Blue Plan ($45.99/month) and Orange & Blue Plan ($60.99/month), while Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day trial, with subscriptions starting at $89.99 per month and bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+.
The Finals will continue at 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET each night, with Game 2 set for Friday in San Antonio. The series could conclude as early as Game 4 or drag into a seventh game, but one thing is certain: the Knicks’ historic run has put them in championship contention, and the Spurs’ resilience will be tested like never before.
For a team that has spent decades chasing glory, the moment is finally here. The question now is whether New York can answer the bell—or if San Antonio will force a Game 2 redemption.
