Jalen Brunson delivered when the New York Knicks needed him most in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals, but afterward the All-Star guard pointed to the team’s collective mentality as the key reason behind a 105-95 comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night at Frost Bank Center.
Brunson scored a game-high 30 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, as New York erased a 14-point second-half deficit and extended its playoff winning streak to 12 games. The Knicks closed the contest on an 11-0 run and stole home-court advantage in the series.
Asked about New York’s ability to consistently rally from behind during the postseason, Brunson credited the group’s mindset rather than any sense of comfort.
“I don’t want to say calmness, but I think we know what we have to do,” Brunson said. “I think we’re a pretty together group. Be able to trust each other and still just continue to fight, have each other’s back, and just know that we got to keep chipping away, chipping away.”
He added: “It’s just a credit to the mentality we have as a team. But I mean, we can’t just be satisfied with that. We have a long way to go.”
The comeback followed a familiar pattern for New York. The Knicks rallied from large deficits multiple times during last year’s playoffs and have continued that trend throughout this postseason run.
Brunson said the team never focuses on making up a deficit with a single play.
“It’s a position that we obviously don’t want to be in, but it’s always a next play mentality,” Brunson said. “We knew that one play wasn’t going to bring us all the way back, but we just kept chipping away.”
The Knicks’ star guard struggled for stretches, finishing 12-for-31 from the field and 2-for-9 from three-point range. Despite the inefficient shooting night, he controlled the fourth quarter and hit the go-ahead corner three after Victor Wembanyama briefly put San Antonio ahead with free throws.
Brunson said his confidence never wavered.
“I think it starts with my confidence and comes with my work ethic,” he said. “But I think most importantly, knowing we’re on the road and knowing my teammates have my back.”
He also highlighted the trust within the roster when discussing a key offensive rebound and relocation three late in the game.
“I think it just goes back to having each other’s back,” Brunson said. “You never know what’s really going to happen. And so being together on the court, plays are going to happen.”
Josh Hart’s stat line illustrated that team-first approach. Hart scored only three points but grabbed 15 rebounds, handed out six assists, collected four steals and finished with a game-best plus-22 rating. Brunson praised his longtime teammate’s ability to influence winning without scoring.
“That’s just who he is,” Brunson said. “He’s always been that way. I can’t explain it. He just has a knack for doing things like that and in crucial times as well.”
The Knicks also received 18 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns and 17 points from OG Anunoby, who scored 12 of those in the fourth quarter.
Despite taking a 1-0 series lead, Brunson emphasized that New York’s focus has already shifted forward.
“We have the utmost respect for them,” Brunson said of the Spurs. “We know that we got to be ready for Game 2.”
Game 2 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for Friday night in San Antonio.
