Knicks’ Title Hopes Dented as Brunson Suffers Knee Injury in NBA Finals Opener
Jalen Brunson exits early with knee issue as Spurs seize first-quarter lead; Mitchell Robinson returns to active roster
The 2026 NBA Finals commenced on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, pitting the New York Knicks against the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks entered the series on an 11-game winning streak, seeking their first championship since 1973. The Spurs, making their first Finals appearance since 2014, were led by Victor Wembanyama. The opening game was marked by an early Spurs surge and a significant injury to New York’s starting guard.
During the first quarter, the Spurs established an early advantage. Dylan Harper scored the team’s first points after a Knicks turnover, driving in and drawing a foul from Landry Shamet. The Spurs took their first lead of the game courtesy of Harper, before Julain Champagnie hit a three-pointer to extend the margin to eight points. Mike Brown called a timeout for the Knicks as the Spurs led by 10 points, with Harper having scored 10 points in the opening period.
A pivotal moment occurred when Knicks guard Jalen Brunson suffered a knee injury during the first quarter. Brunson was observed grabbing his knee after a play and departed the game for the locker room around 9:10 p.m. ET. The injury cast a shadow over New York’s efforts to maintain their momentum against a Spurs side that had just taken control of the early game.
The Knicks were bolstered by the availability of Mitchell Robinson, who was listed as available for Game 1 after recovering from a pinky injury. Despite the return of Robinson and the presence of key players, the team struggled to respond to San Antonio’s offensive start. The Spurs’ ability to capitalize on turnovers and maintain defensive pressure allowed them to build a double-digit lead before the Knicks could stabilise their offence.
The event drew notable attendance, including celebrities Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, and Henrik Lundqvist, as well as Knicks legends Patrick Ewing and Gary Payton. The presence of high-profile figures underscored the significance of the matchup, with the Knicks aiming to end a 53-year title drought. However, the early exit of Brunson due to injury presented an immediate challenge to the team’s strategic plans for the series.
