New York’s winning streak has continued and they struck first in the NBA Finals.
Jalen Brunson scored 30 points, Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and the Knicks erased a 14-point second-half deficit to beat San Antonio 105-95 in Game 1 of the finals on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).
OG Anunoby had 17 points for New York — who have won 12 consecutive playoff games, the seventh team to have such a streak in NBA history.
And the Knicks, who finished on an 11-0 run, made a little more history. They became the first team to beat San Antonio in a Game 1 of the title series — the Spurs were 6-0 in those — and this is also the first time they have ever trailed a finals before the finish.
Victor Wembanyama had 26 points and 12 rebounds for San Antonio, but he shot six for 21 from the field in his finals debut. Stephon Castle scored 17, while Julian Champagnie and Dylan Harper each had 16 for the Spurs.
Game 2 is Friday in San Antonio.
Former Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was at the game, as were franchise legends David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Bruce Bowen.
So were Knicks great Patrick Ewing and the world’s most recognisable New York fans: Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller, Fat Joe and Timothee Chalamet.
The Knicks led 14-7 early, the Spurs answered with a 20-13 run to go up by 10 and eventually take a 55-48 lead into halftime.
San Antonio pushed the lead out to 14 midway through the third quarter before New York stormed back, finishing the period on a 22-9 run and sending the game into the fourth tied at 76.
Their lead was eight midway through the final period, but Brunson made a corner three when trailling 95-94 to put the Knicks on top for good.
