By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The New York Knicks edged out the San Antonio Spurs, 105–95, in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Wednesday at the Frost Bank Center, securing a 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google. The opener featured notable contributions among a couple of European starters, who remain central storylines in this cross-conference battle.
On the wrong end of a 12th consecutive postseason win for the Knicks, French superstar Victor Wembanyama logged 38 minutes, tallying a team-high 26 points, despite a challenging shooting night where he converted 6-of-21 field goals and 2-of-9 three-pointers. He further filled the stat sheet with 12 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal, though he also committed six turnovers.
For the visitors, British forward OG Anunoby provided a spark, contributing 17 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field, including a crucial 3-of-6 performance from beyond the arc, while adding three rebounds, one block, and one steal in 31 minutes. However, France’s Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara, Poland’s Jeremy Sochan, and Germany’s Ariel Hukporti did not play.
The Knicks jumped to a seven-point lead in the opening quarter, but the hosts dictated the tempo through the second and third quarters, building a game-high 14-point advantage midway through the third period. The matchup ultimately featured ten lead changes, setting up a chaotic final stretch in the fourth quarter.
Following an 86–86 deadlock, the team coached by Mike Brown managed to pull ahead with six straight points from Jalen Brunson, but the hosts refused to go quietly. The Spurs stormed back to capture a 95–94 lead with 2:12 left in the fourth quarter, fueled by five straight clutch points from Wemby. The celebration was short-lived, however, as Brunson, who had briefly exited earlier in the game due to a right knee injury, answered right back, netting a triple to reclaim a two-point lead for New York with 1:50 remaining. Driven by the cold-blooded three-pointer, a 11–0 run ultimately sealed the victory in San Antonio, besides allowing the 29-year-old point guard to finish with a game-high 30 points.
The Finals remain at the Frost Bank Center for Game 2 on Friday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94, 94-125)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 (115-104, 109-93, 121-108, 130-93)
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 3-4 (115-122, 122-113, 123-108, 82-103, 127-114, 91-118, 103-111)
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
San Antonio Spurs – New York Knicks 0-1 (95-105)
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