2026 NBA Finals: Biggest takeaways from Knicks-Spurs Game 1 - ESPN

The 2026 NBA Finals are finally here as only two teams remain in the playoff field, vying for a chance to raise the Larry O' Brien Trophy. And the New York Knicks stole home-court advantage in Game 1, defeating the San Antonio Spurs, 105-95.

The Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals to reach the championship round for the first time since 1999. They are looking to end a decades-long drought, as they haven't won an NBA Finals series since 1973.

The Spurs, in the finals for the first time since 2014, will rally behind their rising superstar Victor Wembanyama and a cast of young players. They're coming off a contentious seven-game series in the Western Conference finals against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

After each game, our NBA insiders will break down the matchup from both sides, giving takeaways from the arena, judging overreactions to the performances and looking ahead to the rest of the series.

More coverage:
Kram on Game 1 | Playoff results
Bracket | Offseason guides | More

Biggest takeaway from the Spurs' performance: San Antonio released its grip on Finals opening night supremacy, falling for the first time in Game 1 after posting a 6-0 record all time in the first game of the final round. Spurs guards Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper struggled mightily against Jalen Brunson, who scored 19 of his game-high 30 points in the second half. San Antonio boasts arguably the league's most impactful defender in Wembanyama, but the visitors destroyed the Spurs in the paint, outscoring the home team 50-42 in that area. — Michael C. Wright

Biggest takeaway from the Knicks' performance: This team didn't appear to be awed by the atmosphere, nor the specter of