The New York Knicks seized a 1-0 NBA Finals lead with a 105-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs, yet Victor Wembanyama stressed that improvement is coming. Despite a strong stat line in Game 1 at Frost Bank Center, Wembanyama vowed that both performance and result will change when Game 2 arrives on Friday.
Wembanyama produced 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in the defeat, but the Spurs’ offence faded late. San Antonio scored only 19 points in the fourth quarter, and Wembanyama recorded 15 missed field goals plus six turnovers, both new postseason highs, as the Knicks took control in the closing stages.
The French star still sounded calm when assessing what went wrong and what must change. Wembanyama said: "They [Knicks] know how to play
with momentum. We had the momentum until late in that game. That's why I said we let that one go. It's almost not like I have anything to figure out. It's almost like I have to play normal, not even good [in Game 2]. It's just [about] doing the right things enough. When we play bad, when I play bad, is when we shoot ourselves in the foot. This is why I'm not worried. We're going to be so much better. I'm going to be so much better. "
Even with the late struggles, Wembanyama joined elite company on debut at this stage. Since blocks became an official statistic in 1974, only Shaquille O'Neal in 1995, Hakeem Olajuwon in 1986 and Elvin Hayes in 1975 had previously posted at least 25 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in a first NBA Finals appearance.
The Knicks’ comeback hinged on an 11-0 burst in the final two minutes, turning a tight contest into a crucial road success. Jalen Brunson shot only 39% from the field, going 12-of-31, yet still finished with a game-high 30 points, scoring 13 of them in the fourth quarter to secure the result.
Brunson underlined the collective mindset behind that closing run. Brunson said: "I think most importantly, knowing we're on the road, and knowing my teammates have my back, I think that's the biggest thing in an environment like this. The trust they have in me and the trust I have in them, it's got us to this point. I mean, I'm very thankful for them every single night we go out there together. I think we are a pretty together group. Be able to trust each other and still have each other's back and know that we just have to keep chipping away, chipping away. It's just a credit to the mentality that we have as a team. "
See y'all back at FBC on Friday!#PorVida | @HEB pic.twitter.com/DQY3Oig2L5San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) June 4, 2026
Game 1 leaves the Knicks holding the early advantage in the NBA Finals, while the Spurs and Wembanyama focus on adjustments rather than concern. With Wembanyama’s stated belief in a higher level and Brunson’s confidence in New York’s togetherness, attention now shifts to how both sides respond when the series continues on Friday.
