Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to Game 1 NBA Finals stunner vs. Spurs

After entering the fourth quarter of the first game of the 2026 NBA Finals all tied up, New York Knicks fans knew that if Mike Brown’s squad was going to pull out a win in San Antonio, they’d need another marquee effort from Jalen Brunson.

The unquestioned leader of the Knicks’ offense with a deep enough bag of tricks to score on pretty much everyone, Brunson proved once again that he was simply built for the moments when the lights shine brightest, and in the fourth quarter, he did not disapoint, scoring 13 of his 30 points in the final frame to put New York up 1-0 in their first Finals appearance this century.

Jalen Brunson was HUGE in the Knicks Game 1 victory over the Spurs

30 points on 12-of-31 shooting
3 rebounds
2-of-9 3PT
4-of-4 FT pic.twitter.com/YyxwlTXSEn

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 4, 2026

Taking the court against a Spurs team that seemingly wanted nothing more than to knock him around a bit, Brunson spent plenty of time in Game 1 on the hardwood, even if he didn’t always earn a whistle for his troubles. He briefly left the game in the first quarter after his knee made contact with Harrison Barnes, and Brunson appeared to turn his ankle a bit later in the contest, too, even if he was able to overcome that issue and remain in the game.

With Game 1 officially in the books, the Spurs have one more game at the Frost Bank Center on Friday before the series lands in the Big Apple for the first Finals game at MSG this century. Considering the reactions fans have been having outside the world’s most famous arena with the games a few thousand miles away, it’s safe to say Brunson and company will be in for an absolute fever dream in Manhattan.

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