SAN ANTONIO : Jalen Brunson overcame a pair of injury scares to score 30 points and lead the New York Knicks to a 105-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, extending New York’s playoff winning streak to 12 games.
Brunson scored 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks rallied from a 14-point third-quarter deficit and seized control late, outscoring San Antonio 29-19 in the final period.
“Jalen was MVP in the second half,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “He was huge for us. He did what MVP candidates are supposed to do. He carried us home and we put the ball in his hands and he got it done down the stretch.”
The Knicks guard endured a difficult first half, suffering a right knee injury after a collision beneath the basket late in the opening quarter before later hurting his left ankle on a driving layup in the second.
Brunson briefly left for treatment but returned to finish the game.
“When I saw him walk back to the bench, it was a relief,” teammate Karl-Anthony Towns said.
After shooting 7-for-22 through three quarters, Brunson found his rhythm when it mattered most, making five of nine attempts in the fourth.
“I think it starts with my confidence. It comes with my work ethic,” Brunson said. “Knowing we’re on the road and knowing my teammates have my back, that’s the biggest thing.”
New York closed the game on an 11-0 run in its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
Towns added 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Josh Hart contributed 15 rebounds, six assists and four steals. OG Anunoby scored 17 points, including 12 in the final quarter, as the Knicks committed no turnovers in the period.
San Antonio struggled down the stretch, shooting 6-for-21 in the fourth quarter and turning the ball over five times.
Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks but shot just 6-for-21 from the field.
“He’s an elite player,” Wembanyama said of Brunson. “We’re going to have many more chances. It’s a first-to-four series. We’ll have time to work on it.”
