Knicks seize home-court advantage in NBA Finals opener with gritty Hart performance
Josh Hart’s unconventional stat line of 15 rebounds, six assists, and four steals with just three points anchors a victory that extends New York’s playoff winning streak to 12 games.
The New York Knicks have taken a 1-0 lead in the 2026 NBA Finals, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Wednesday night. The victory secures home-court advantage for New York in the best-of-seven series and extends their winning streak to 12 consecutive playoff games.
The Knicks overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half, highlighted by a decisive 22-9 run in the third quarter that tied the game at 76 points. Jalen Brunson led the offensive effort with 30 points, while the team’s resilience was credited by Brunson to their chemistry and cohesion.
Josh Hart recorded a rare statistical profile, finishing with 15 rebounds, six assists, and four steals while scoring only three points from one field goal. Entering the game, only one player in the past 20 years had achieved a stat line of 15 or more rebounds, four or more steals, and three or fewer points; that player was Hart, who previously did so in March 2021 for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Hart’s impact was evident in the team’s plus-minus metrics. The Knicks were outscored by 12 points in the 21 minutes and 13 seconds he was on the bench, but outscored the Spurs by 22 points during his 28 minutes and 47 seconds on the court. He was instrumental in defending Stephon Castle and disrupting San Antonio’s transition game, contributing to all three of the Spurs’ vital fourth-quarter turnovers.
A pivotal moment occurred in the third quarter when Hart drove to the basket after De'Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell failed to switch onto him, allowing Miles McBride to hit a game-tying three-pointer. Hart credited the team’s toughness for the win, noting the culture of players who "don't quit."
The win marks a significant shift from the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Knicks faced different strategic challenges. While the Spurs utilised Victor Wembanyama as a primary defender against Hart earlier in the season, the Finals matchup required Hart to provide defensive intensity and transition offence rather than perimeter shooting.
Hart’s performance underscores his value to the Knicks’ structure, particularly in half-court defence where he pulled in one-third of the team’s total defensive rebounds. His ability to execute in high-leverage moments, despite not making a triple, provided the foundation for New York’s early series advantage.
