Brunson sparks Knicks comeback to take Game 1 of NBA Finals
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Jalen Brunson scored 30 points and Karl-Anthony Towns supplied 18 points with 12 rebounds as the New York Knicks erased a 14-point second-half deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-95, in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night at Frost Bank Center.
The victory stretched New York’s postseason winning streak to 12 and handed San Antonio its first loss in a Finals opener after six previous wins. The Knicks now hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
San Antonio controlled much of the third quarter, pushing its lead to 14 while a sellout crowd that included franchise greats Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Manu Ginobili roared. New York responded with a 22-9 surge to end the period and tied the score entering the fourth.
With 2:05 left, Victor Wembanyama put the Spurs ahead 95-94 on two free throws. Brunson answered 11 seconds later with a corner three-pointer, triggering an 11-0 closing run that sealed the comeback. The Spurs did not score again.
Brunson finished 11-of-22 from the field, while OG Anunoby added 17 points. Towns’ double-double anchored a Knicks defense that limited San Antonio to 39.5 percent shooting.
Wembanyama, making his Finals debut, posted 26 points and 12 rebounds but shot 6-for-21. Rookie guard Stephon Castle scored 17 points, and Dylan Harper and Julian Champagnie each had 16 for the Spurs.
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday night in San Antonio.
Source: Hoops Wire
