Brunson leads Knicks fightback to beat Spurs in NBA Finals opener

NEW YORK: Jalen Brunson scored 30 points as the New York Knicks recovered from a 14-point second-half deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 on Wednesday and move 1-0 ahead in the NBA Finals.

Brunson, who briefly left the floor in the first quarter after hurting his knee, returned to steer New York’s comeback and delivered 13 points in the fourth quarter. The best-of-seven series now moves to game two on Friday.

The Knicks guard was one of four New York players to finish in double figures. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 18 points, OG Anunoby added 17 and Landry Shamet had 13. For San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama led the scoring with 26 points and also collected 12 rebounds and three blocks, but he made only 6 of his 21 field-goal attempts. Stephon Castle scored 17 points, while Dylan Harper and Julian Champagnie each added 16.

Speaking after the game, Brunson said New York had stayed composed despite struggling for long periods.

Just sticking together -- it wasn't really our night and wasn't really my night most of the night but we kept finding a way, kept chipping away

He also credited the team’s unity for helping it recover after falling 14 points behind in the third quarter.

Just knowing we have each other's back -- there's a lot of things we could have done better, but I think our togetherness was really the biggest difference

Knicks recover after injury scares

New York made the sharper start and opened up a 14-7 lead before San Antonio responded with a 9-0 run to take its first advantage of the night at 16-14. Two three-pointers from Champagnie helped the Spurs stretch that edge to 10 points late in the first quarter.

The Knicks were then dealt a scare when Brunson went off in the closing minutes of the opening period following a collision with Harrison Barnes. He returned in the second quarter, and although he later appeared to hurt an ankle after a layup, he stayed on court and went on to decide the contest.

San Antonio led 55-48 at half-time and then pushed its advantage to 14 points in the third quarter. The Knicks cut into the margin after Wembanyama limped off with a knock to the knee, and they continued that momentum even after he returned, drawing level at 76-76 by the end of the quarter.

Late burst settles game one

Anunoby hit a pair of three-pointers as the Knicks moved 86-81 ahead in the fourth quarter, and Brunson later produced a layup that gave New York a 94-86 lead. The Spurs responded through a Wembanyama three-pointer and layup, then edged back in front 95-94 with just over two minutes remaining.

Brunson then knocked down a three-pointer to restore the Knicks’ lead at 97-95, and New York closed the game with eight more unanswered points to secure the opening victory of the series.

Wembanyama said nerves were not behind San Antonio’s defeat and accepted responsibility for his performance.

I was bad tonight, it's not more complicated than that

He added:

It definitely felt special for sure, but nothing close that could be an excuse

It was not a factor in our performance.