SAN ANTONIO. The 2026 NBA Finals reach their second round with the New York Knicks leading the series after winning the first game in San Antonio. The comeback led by Jalen Brunson dominated the headlines, but within the Spurs organization there is a sense that the problem goes far beyond the 30 points from the New York star.
Mike Brown's team has built a streak of 12 consecutive playoff wins relying on a collective that finds answers from multiple fronts. And precisely there appears one of the biggest concerns for San Antonio: the ability of players like Josh Hart to influence the game without needing to monopolize the ball or the scoreboard.
In the first game, Hart barely made one basket and finished with just three points. However, he was one of the most decisive players on the court. The small forward grabbed 15 rebounds, distributed six assists and created constant defensive problems thanks to his relentless activity. Every loose ball seemed destined for New York and much of that competitive advantage was born from the intensity Hart brought during all 48 minutes.
His impact perfectly reflects the identity of these Knicks. While Brunson assumes scoring responsibility in crucial moments and Karl-Anthony Towns provides interior presence, Hart has become the player who connects all the pieces of the system. He rebounds, runs the floor, switches defensive assignments and generates second chances that end up wearing down opponents.
New York's competitive depth has been one of the keys to a playoff run in which the team has strung together twelve consecutive wins. The Knicks have shown they can win in different ways: dominating from the perimeter, imposing physicality near the rim or surviving close games thanks to their tactical discipline.
For San Antonio, the Game 1 loss left several important lessons. The Spurs controlled large stretches of the game and built a 14-point lead in the second half. However, the game slipped away progressively as New York elevated defensive pressure and turned each possession into a physical battle.
The fourth quarter was especially concerning for the Texans. The offense lost fluidity, turnovers increased and decision-making was no longer as efficient as during the first three periods. That combination allowed the Knicks to find the ideal scenario to mount their comeback and close out the game with authority.
Part of the responsibility will now fall on Victor Wembanyama, who faces Game 2 with the objective of delivering a more efficient version. The Frenchman finished the first game with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but needed 21 shots to reach that production and also accumulated six turnovers. Valuable numbers, though far from the influence he usually exerts when he completely dominates a game.
The response from De'Aaron Fox will also be crucial. The point guard had a difficult night offensively and never found continuity against New York's defense. His ability to generate offensive advantages could prove decisive if the Spurs want to avoid traveling to New York down 0-2.
The good news for San Antonio is that the series has barely begun. The coaching staff believes that much of the mistakes made are correctable and that the team had real chances to win during much of the first game. The question now is whether the Spurs will be able to neutralize the collective game of a Knicks team that is going through the best moment of the entire season.
New York arrives at the second game with confidence, a historic streak and the home-court advantage already in their pocket. San Antonio, by contrast, faces a game that could define the course of the NBA Finals before the series travels to Madison Square Garden.