Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals unfolded as a defensive slog more reminiscent of the 1990s than the modern era, with New York overcoming a 14-point deficit to win 105-95 on the road, according to the game recap. The Knicks have now won 12 straight and need three more victories to secure the franchise’s first title in 53 years.
The two teams combined to shoot 39 percent from the field and 28 percent from three, and the box score reflected the low-offense affair: New York posted a 105.0 offensive rating that would have ranked 30th in the regular season while San Antonio’s 96.0 offensive rating would have been last by a double-digit margin, according to the recap.
The decisive sequence came early in the Knicks’ third-quarter rally when Spurs backup center Luke Kornet was on the floor in place of Victor Wembanyama. Karl-Anthony Towns hit a curling Mikal Bridges jumper, found Landry Shamet on a cut for two, then blew past Kornet for an and-one. Towns followed with an offensive rebound over Wembanyama and a putback, shrinking a 14-point lead to two in under four minutes.
San Antonio had often used Wembanyama to guard Josh Hart so the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year could roam as a free safety on the baseline; that scheme forced Hart into a semi-contested 3 that missed in the sequence described in the recap. The Spurs used Wembanyama on Towns more than expected in Game 1, but the Knicks took advantage of matchups when Wembanyama was either spaced out or matched up directly with Towns.
Towns finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, but the recap noted his impact extended beyond those numbers, including strong defensive work against Wembanyama. New York primarily defended the Spurs’ star with centers — Towns and Mitchell Robinson — rather than mixing in a physical wing such as Hart or “OG Anu,” according to the recap.
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC and the ESPN app, according to the recap.
