The New York Knicks escaped Frost Bank Center with a Game 1 win over the San Antonio Spurs, coming back from a double-digit deficit in the second half.
Jalen Brunson scored 30 points with three rebounds and two assists. He struggled shooting most of the night, finishing with 12 made shots on 31 attempts, including 2-of-9 from three and 4-of-4 from the free throw line in 37 minutes of play.
After the final buzzer, Brunson marched right over to referee Scott Foster to express some of his frustrations with the lack of calls on a night where he shot just four free throw attempts. Brunson had to be pulled multiple times by Knicks teammate Jose Alvarado, who had seven points in 11 minutes off New York's bench.
Jalen Brunson and Scott Foster were exchanging words after the Knicks' win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals đź‘€pic.twitter.com/x3o2fOrZno
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 4, 2026
The Spurs shot 25 free throws as a team compared to the Knicks' 18, which may have played a part in the knicks's star's frustrations. Brunson did close the game out on a strong note, scoring 13 of his 30 points in eight fourth quarter minutes to give New York the victory.
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This wasn't the first time in the game that Jalen Brunson let his frustrations with the officiating be known. In the first quarter, Brunson appeared to limp towards Scott Foster after a made bucket and yell, “That's a foul, Scott!” at the official heading into the timeout.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 18 points with 14 rebounds in 34 minutes of play while OG Anunoby added 18 points and three rebounds.
For the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama poured in 26 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks, but did have a team-high six turnovers in Game 1. Stephon Castle added 17 points and eight rebounds and Julian Champagnie scored 16 points with 10 rebounds.
Game 2 of Knicks-Spurs won't be until Friday night back at the Frost Bank Center, so both teams will have a chance to practice and collect themselves before taking the court in Game 2.
The New York Knicks escaped Frost Bank Center with a Game 1 win over the San Antonio Spurs, coming back from a double-digit deficit in the second half. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points with three rebounds and two assists. He struggled shooting most of the night, finishing with 12 made shots on 31 attempts, including 2-of-9 from three and 4-of-4 from the free throw line in 37 minutes of play.