SAN ANTONIO — OG Anunoby scored 17 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, to help the New York Knicks defeat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3 at Frost Bank Center.
Anunoby recorded three rebounds, one steal, and one block in 31 minutes during Game 1. He scored five points on 2-of-6 shooting in the first half of the game. The Spurs held a 14-point lead in the second half before the Knicks rallied. Anunoby made back-to-back three-pointers, giving the Knicks an 86-81 lead with 8:50 remaining in the fourth quarter. He also made four free throws in the final minute. The Knicks closed Game 1 with an 11-0 scoring run.
The Game 1 victory gave the Knicks a series lead in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1994 and extended their postseason winning streak to 12 games. "I was a young player last time I was back, so I have grown a lot on and off the court and as a player," Anunoby said. "The first time it was really cool, but it wasn't the way I would have wanted it. So this time, just happy to be here, happy to be healthy." He also said: "I'm just thankful to be out there, thankful to be playing. Just enjoying the moment."
Anunoby holds an NBA championship ring from the 2019 Toronto Raptors season, though he did not play in those Finals due to an appendectomy. He plays for the New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA playoffs and finals. New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown said Anunoby was huge for the team in the second half of Game 1. "OG got it going in the second half," Brown said. "He was huge for us in the second half." Brown also said: "He should have been First Team All-Defense because of his versatility. And it has shown throughout the course of the most important time during the year, which is the playoffs, and it will continue to show going into the Finals."
Anunoby, who is 28 years old and measures 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, missed Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals due to a hamstring strain. He averaged 19.7 points per game while shooting 57.7 percent from the field and 48.3 percent on three-pointers through the Knicks' first eight postseason games. His three-point shooting percentage increased to 38.6 percent this season from 33.2 percent in the 2018-19 season. Among players with at least 100 primary defensive possessions against Victor Wembanyama, Anunoby has allowed the fewest points per possession. The NBA selected Anunoby for the 2025-26 All-Defensive Second Team.
Knicks player Jalen Brunson scored 30 points in Game 1, despite apparent knee and ankle injuries. Mitchell Robinson was listed as questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals while recovering from right pinky surgery.