Knicks seize control of NBA Finals with road win, move three victories from historic title

It was supposed to be that the Eastern Conference was weak, that their opponents essentially self-destructed. The middling Hawks with offensive flaws, the physically limited Sixers, the emotionally fragile Cavaliers who were too small for the biggest moments. Excuses, excuses. None of it matters. The Knicks, the old Knickerbockers who were already around when the NBA was born, are an exceptional basketball team. Whether they finish the job or not, they are fully equipped to be champions. Legitimate, ready, up to the challenge.

The Spurs had home-court advantage, came in with the scalp of the defending champion Thunder, and, of course, have Victor Wembanyama. They were favorites, but by how much? That’s always the million-dollar question before a Finals begins. After this 95–105 result, the answer is clear: if San Antonio were favorites, it was by the slimmest of margins. And now, that edge is gone. The Knicks can win the title simply by taking care of business at home, inside the hysterical pressure cooker that is Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks hadn’t played a Finals game in 9,840 days. And they showed up. In their last appearance, they handed the 1999 title to these same Spurs. Since then, San Antonio has been one of the NBA’s winningest franchises, while New York struggled. But these are not those Knicks. These are a team reborn.

For the first time since Game 5 of the 1994 Finals, New York leads a championship series. That night was interrupted by the infamous police chase of O.J. Simpson. Only one current Knick, Jordan Clarkson, then two years old, was alive. This is a new story. A team in peak form, capable of winning in any way, now just three victories from the title. It’s both a short distance and a massive one.

No more doubts about the Knicks

The Knicks have now won 12 straight playoff games and haven’t lost since April 23. Seven of those wins came on the road, all by double digits. They entered the Finals with a historic +19.4 average point differential and became just the third team ever to win 12 straight playoff games, alongside the 1999 Spurs and the 2017 Warriors, both champions.

The script has already flipped. The Knicks now hold the upper hand. They also bring a physical edge that could prove decisive. While San Antonio has played more games and logged heavier minutes, New York swept both the Sixers and Cavaliers. In a Finals where every possession matters, that freshness counts.

Game 1 followed a familiar pattern: fast start (7–14), a Spurs surge (65–51), and then another Knicks comeback. From 86–86, New York surged to 86–94 behind Jalen Brunson. San Antonio responded with a 9–0 run to take a 95–94 lead with two minutes left. Then came the knockout: an 0–11 Knicks finish.

The message is clear. New York is deadly in close games.

Brunson led the way, scoring 30 points on 12-of-31 shooting, including 13 in the fourth quarter. His performance echoed historic Finals heroics, reminiscent of legends who carried their teams in decisive moments. He doesn’t glide. He attacks. And when everything is on the line, he delivers.

But this wasn’t just about Brunson. It was a complete team effort. OG Anunoby scored 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter. Josh Hart dominated the stat sheet with 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Landry Shamet hit timely threes. José Alvarado provided grit and composure. This is a team where every piece matters.

And then there’s Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns was immense beyond the box score: 18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists. At 30, long labeled inconsistent, he has reinvented himself under Mike Brown. More disciplined, more controlled, more effective. He attacked Wembanyama, anchored the offense, and played strong defense.

Against Towns, Wembanyama struggled. When directly guarded by him, he shot just 2-for-10. Overall, he finished with 26 points but needed 21 shots and committed 6 turnovers. For a player of his caliber, it was an inconsistent night.

San Antonio’s young core showed flashes. Dylan Harper was outstanding, and Julian Champagnie shot well early, but inconsistency took over. The Spurs shot just 2-of-19 from three in the second half and struggled offensively in half-court sets.

They’re young - the second-youngest Finals team ever - and still learning. They won’t collapse. But they’ve been reminded of something important: These Knicks are for real.

New York isn’t perfect like the best version of the Thunder, but they’re dangerous precisely because of their unpredictability. They adapt, they fight, and they find ways to win.

Now, the pressure shifts. The Spurs must respond quickly. Because the Knicks are just three wins away from history.

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