Brunson Was in His Bag Again: Knicks Steal Game 1 of the NBA Finals Behind Another Fourth-Quarter Masterpiece

For most of Wednesday night in San Antonio, it felt like the New York Knicks were playing with one hand tied behind their back.

Josh Hart couldn't find his shot. OG Anunoby struggled to get into rhythm offensively for long stretches. Jalen Brunson spent time in the locker room after an injury scare that sent every Knicks fan's heart into their stomach. The Spurs looked comfortable at home, Victor Wembanyama was making his presence felt, and the atmosphere inside Frost Bank Center felt every bit like an NBA Finals game.

And yet, somehow, when the game was on the line, the result felt inevitable.

Because Jalen Brunson did what Jalen Brunson has done throughout this entire postseason run: he took over the fourth quarter and carried the Knicks to another massive victory.

New York opened the 2026 NBA Finals with a statement, defeating San Antonio 105-95 on the road to steal home-court advantage and take a 1-0 series lead. It was the Knicks' 12th win in their last 13 playoff games and another reminder that this team simply refuses to panic when things aren't going their way.

The game almost took a disastrous turn in the first quarter.

Late in the opening frame, Brunson suffered a scary leg injury after a collision under the basket and immediately headed to the locker room. For a brief moment, every nightmare scenario crossed the minds of Knicks fans. The franchise is four wins away from a championship, and their leader appeared to be hurt. Fortunately, Brunson returned in the second quarter and looked increasingly comfortable as the game progressed.

Even after Brunson returned, this wasn't one of New York's cleanest performances.

Josh Hart never really found his offensive rhythm. Anunoby struggled to generate consistent scoring early. The Spurs received strong contributions from unexpected sources, including rookie Dylan Harper and Julian Champagnie, who helped San Antonio build momentum during stretches of the first half.

But championship teams don't need everything to be perfect.

They just need their stars to show up when it matters most.

Enter Brunson.

The Eastern Conference Finals MVP once again saved his best basketball for winning time. As the fourth quarter unfolded, Brunson completely took control of the game, scoring 13 points in the final frame and leading an 11-0 Knicks run that broke San Antonio's resistance. Every big possession seemed to end with Brunson getting exactly where he wanted on the floor. Mid-range pullups. Tough finishes through contact. Clutch baskets that sucked the life out of the crowd.

At this point, Brunson has become the basketball equivalent of finding extra fries at the bottom of the bag.

You think you've already gotten everything you paid for, and then somehow there's even more waiting for you.

Every single time the Knicks need a bucket, Brunson delivers.

The encouraging part for New York is that they still have room to improve.

OG eventually found his groove late and made several crucial plays during the deciding stretch. Karl-Anthony Towns quietly put together another strong performance, controlling the glass and providing offensive balance when the Knicks desperately needed it. Mikal Bridges continued doing all the little things that don't always show up in headlines but consistently help New York win games.

Meanwhile, San Antonio will be left wondering about missed opportunities.

Wembanyama finished with 26 points but struggled with efficiency throughout much of the night as New York's defense constantly threw different looks at him. De'Aaron Fox never fully got going offensively, and the Spurs struggled to generate consistent offense once Brunson started taking over in the fourth quarter.

The scary part for the rest of the league?

The Knicks didn't even play their best game.

Hart shot poorly. OG was quiet for stretches. Brunson left for the locker room. Yet New York still walked into San Antonio and took Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

That's what championship-caliber teams do.

The Knicks have spent the last month bulldozing through the Eastern Conference. They've won ugly. They've won blowouts. They've won comeback thrillers. And now they've won on the biggest stage in basketball.

One game down.

Three more to go.