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Key takeaways
- Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals was a tactical defensive slugfest more emblematic of the 1990s, when the New York Knicks last made the Finals, than of 2026.
- The Knicks' 105.0 offensive rating in the game would have ranked 30th in the regular season this season, and the San Antonio Spurs' 96.0 offensive rating would have ranked last by a double-digit margin.
- Thanks to superior performances from their stars and a tremendous closing kick, the Knicks overcame a 14-point deficit to steal Game 1 on the road, 105-95.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals was a tactical defensive slugfest more emblematic of the 1990s, when the New York Knicks last made the Finals, than of 2026.
The Knicks' 105.0 offensive rating in the game would have ranked 30th in the regular season this season, and the San Antonio Spurs' 96.0 offensive rating would have ranked last by a double-digit margin. The two teams shot a combined 39% from the field and 28% from 3-point range.
Thanks to superior performances from their stars and a tremendous closing kick, the Knicks overcame a 14-point deficit to steal Game 1 on the road, 105-95. New York has now won 12 games in a row and needs just three more victories to claim its first championship in 53 years.