Jalen Brunson shakes off first-quarter knee scare, scores 30 as Knicks steal Finals Game 1 from Spurs

Knicks Edge Spurs in Finals Opener Behind Brunson's Clutch Performance

The New York Knicks opened the NBA Finals with a 105-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 30 points, delivering a vintage fourth-quarter performance that silenced any doubts about his health after an injury scare in the opening period.

The Knicks' star guard exited in the first quarter with an apparent right knee injury, repeatedly grimacing and favoring the leg before heading to the locker room for evaluation. He returned to the bench shortly after and eventually re-entered the game, quelling immediate concerns about his availability.

"Ill be alright," Brunson said afterward.

The Knicks faced their toughest stretch in the third quarter, falling behind by 13 points. But New York remained composed, chipping away at the deficit before seizing control in the final period.

"Wasnt really my night most of the night. But we just kept chipping away. Kept finding a way," Brunson said. "Our chemistry, knowing that we have each other's backs."

Brunson also tweaked his ankle after colliding with teammate Luke Kornet but continued playing without issue.

The Spurs struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 11 of 43 three-point attempts. Despite featuring the 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio repeatedly settled for long-range shots that failed to fall.

Wembanyama finished with 26 points and his usual disruptive presence defensively, but the Spurs received little production elsewhere. De'Aaron Fox managed only seven points on a difficult shooting night.

The Knicks received strong contributions from their supporting cast. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby combined for 35 points, while José Alvarado provided crucial minutes during Brunson's brief absence. Landry Shamet added 13 points off the bench, and Miles McBride chipped in seven points in 11 minutes of action.

The victory extended New York's postseason winning streak to 12 consecutive games, matching the 1999 Spurs for the second-longest run in NBA history. Only the 2017 Golden State Warriors, who won 15 straight playoff games, have a longer streak.

Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday in New York, where the Knicks will look to build on their series lead before the action shifts to San Antonio.