Jalen Brunson was at his best in crunch time. Really, is anyone surprised?
Despite suffering knee and ankle injuries in the first half and starting 1-for-7 from the field, Brunson scored 13 of his game-high 30 points in the final quarter.
His 3-pointer with 1:50 left gave the Knicks the lead for good, and he added a rainbow jumper that pushed the lead to six and iced Game 1.
Zero
De’Aaron Fox missed 10 of 13 shots from the field and was a Spurs weak link.
The former All-Star had been inconsistent in the Western Conference finals, and he struggled in the series opener. His missed jumper in the lane that could’ve pulled the Spurs even with 1:31 left was apropos of his night.
De’Aaron Fox struggles to keep the ball away from Landry Shamet during the Knicks’ 105-95 Game 1 win over the Spurs in the NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 in San Antonio. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
He was a monster on the glass (12 rebounds), efficient on the offensive end (7-of-15 shooting, 18 points) and made plays for his teammates (four assists).
He didn’t back down from the challenge of Victor Wembanyama — he met it head on.
Key stat
10.5: Spurs’ 3-point shooting percentage in the second half. They were 2-for-19.
Quote
“We just have a lot of tough guys, a lot of guys that don’t quit. Everybody in this locker room has faced adversity, and wouldn’t be here if they didn’t. So whenever we’re down, we don’t panic,”
I feel for Tony Santillan at the moment. He’s been such a vital part of the Cincinnati Reds bullpen, when healthy, for several years now, but it’s undeniable that he’s been struggling for weeks now to no avail.
Problem is, the more he struggles, the more that’s still being asked of him. Simultaneous with his foibles have come the injuries to Emilio Pagan, Pierce Johnson, and Graham Ashcraft, as well as the latest derailment of Connor Phillips. In other words, opportunities keep falling on his lap based on his reputation at a time when he, like so many relievers before him, needed just a bit more time to work things out.
The Cincinnati Reds have been worse for it, sadly. There just aren’t enough other good options down there to whom Terry Francona can turn.
Cincinnati clawed their way back to a 2-2 tie against the Kansas City Royals thanks to a late 2-run homer by Blake Dunn, a swing that leveled the score after Chase Burns turned in yet another stellar start (6.0 IP, 2 ER, 9 K). The problem, though, is that the more that was asked of Cincinnati’s beleaguered bullpen, the worse things got.
I hate to pile on Santillan here, but the facts are what they are now. In 23.0 IP this season, he’s pitched to a 6.65 ERA while yielding an impossible nine homers in that time. Seven of those dingers have come since May 5th alone. Yet here the Reds were in the 9th inning of a game against a club that was just 23-38 on the season coming in with Santillan on the mound with the game on the line, and things once again simply collapsed in real time.
Short of swinging a major deal for an entirely new bullpen, I’m not sure exactly where the Reds go from here. We saw in April how vital a fully-functioning Cincinnati bullpen was going to be for the way this roster was built, with thin margins and wins in close games paramount given their lack of obvious ways to win games in blowouts. Now, we’re seeing just how penalized the roster building can be when banking on such thin margins, as the relievers of the Reds are seemingly just out of relief right now.
Thursday is a day off, and Sunday will see Rhett Lowder return to the starting unit. I just wonder whether or not either will be enough of a jolt to get this thing back on track with so many key arms still weeks away from rejoining the roster at any strength, let alone full.
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 29: Logan Webb #62 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 29, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Since franchise legend Buster Posey took over as president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants, he’s preached one thing. Well, he’s preached many things, but one has stood taller than the rest: pitching and defense.
Pitching and defense, just as the ballpark was built for.
Pitching and defense, just as they leaned on during their dynastic run that Posey was at the helm of.
Pitching and defense, just as they did in The Good Ol’ Days.
Pitching and defense and pitching and defense and pitching and defense and juuuust enough hitting to prop it all up.
You can say it hasn’t worked, as evidenced by the fact that they entered Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers with the worst record in the National League. Or you can say that it simply hasn’t actually been executed, as evidenced by the fact that the Giants, in the last year and a half, have made no efforts to add to their bullpen, have made only the most meager efforts to improve their rotation, have traded the best defensive player in the sport, and have invested nearly half a billion dollars in a trio of sluggers, only one of which has ever won a Gold Glove.
But on Wednesday, it worked. For one glorious day, the Giants won as the prophecy foretold: with pitching and defense. Pitching and defense and just enough offense to keep you from pulling your hair out and pleading with Posey to trade Logan Webb simply to free him from this cursed existence.
Webb took the mound for his second start since returning from the Injured List, and it was clear early on that this was our first 2026 glimpse of the real Webb, the one who has earned Cy Young votes in each of the last four seasons, as opposed to the one sporting a 4.82 ERA when the game began.
He opened the first inning with a four-pitch strikeout of former MVP Christian Yelich, staying in the strike zone on all four pitches. He followed it up with his signature groundout (courtesy of Andrew Vaughn), and a flyout from Brice Turang.
The second inning? Groundout, lineout, strikeout No. 2.
He opened the fourth by striking out Yelich, again, and getting Vaughn to ground out, again.
And then came the first moment that made it feel like the game could be special. A moment that felt like it could be A Moment. With two outs, Turang chopped one sharply down the third base line. Matt Chapman, shifted over against the lefty hitter, ranged back towards third, plucked the ball out of the air, and threw across his body while falling across the third base line.
A perfect strike to Rafael Devers. A third out in the inning. A 12th out for Logan Webb in as many attempts.
It wasn’t quite Gregor Blanco diving to keep Matt Cain’s perfect game afloat, or even Hunter Pence awkwardly sliding to preserve Tim Lincecum’s first no-hitter. But it was the type of play that makes you feel like something special is brewing; like the baseball deities who have firmly abandoned the Giants this year have remembered the team’s existence.
With that, the watch was on. Once you make it past the fourth inning and the first defensive gem, suddenly the (admittedly still very slim) chance of no-hitter becomes worth paying attention to.
There was just one issue. The Giants offense had proven incapable of supporting Webb. And try as you may, you couldn’t shake the image of the Giants ace carrying a perfect game into the ninth inning, knowing that the 27th out wouldn’t bring a celebration, but instead a 10th inning.
Lefty Robert Gasser, in just his third appearance of the year, had kept San Francisco’s hitters off the bases in the first and second innings. The third had provided the sort of Giants-esque rally that makes you resell those tickets you bought a few months ago. The kind of rally we’ve grown far too comfortable with over the last decade.
It began when Bryce Eldridge reached first on a swinging bunt that traveled that magical distance where both Gasser and catcher William Contreras could have gotten it, but each decided to say “no, you first” until the moment was lost (even at that, the moment was only barely lost, as Eldridge was only ruled safe after the Giants challenged the call). The fortune continued when Daniel Susac hit what felt like a double play off the bat, but was just far enough away from shortstop David Hamilton to ricochet off his glove and trickle into left field.
Just like that, the Giants had two runners on, with no outs. After Victor Bericoto struck out, Casey Schmitt ripped one up the middle. It had RBI single written all over it, but Hamilton dove behind the bag to knock the ball down, holding the Giants’ top hitter to an infield single, and loading the bases.
With less than two outs. Their kryptonite. And indeed, Devers meagerly popped out, and Luis Arráez hit an inning-ending grounder.
They tried again in the fourth, when Jung Hoo Lee lifted a one-out soft liner to the outfield (extending his hitting streak to 11 games), and Eldridge drew a two-out walk. But no dice. It would be that kind of day.
Until the fifth inning.
Just three pitches after Chapman’s defensive heroics, Gasser threw a get-it-in sinker in a 2-0 count to Bericoto. The pitch was on the outer half of the plate and the Giants’ rookie, as he does so well, used that to his advantage, inside-outing it all the way over the right field wall for the first home run of his career.
It’s always special to reflect on what it took for a player to get where they got when such a monumental moment occurs. The 24-year old Bericoto signed with the Giants on July 2, 2018, almost a full eight years ago. It was the same day that the Giants signed Marco Luciano and Luis Matos. He played 569 games in the Minor Leagues before getting his chance. He hit 78 home runs in the Minor Leagues before getting to hit one in the Majors.
And he sure made it count.
With the lead firmly in hand, and visions of the most brutal Caining in history now pushed from our imaginations, Webb got back to work in the fifth. He struck out Contreras, then got Jake Bauers to ground out (in a 3-0 count, no less), and got Garrett Mitchell to lazily fly one to left field.
The perfect game followed him to the sixth inning, where it finally met its match. Facing Sal Frelick to open the inning, Webb missed the zone on three straight pitches. Frelick, unwilling to make the mistake that Bauers had, forced Webb to throw three straight strikes, and while Webb happily obliged for the first two, the third time was not the charm. Frelick took his free jog to first base, and we switched over from perfecto watch to no-no watch.
Even with the tying run lurking, Webb was game. As Frelick took off for second, Webb worked a grounder out of Luis Rengifo for out No. 1. Hamilton grounded out for the out No. 2, as Frelick moved to third. And there at third, 90 feet away from tying the game, he would stay, as Webb worked his third ground ball of the inning, this time from Yelich.
And so the no-hitter followed Webb into the seventh inning, where Vaughn led off with a flyout.
Finally, in a 1-2 count, Turang — the hitter whom Chapman had robbed of a hit — had seen enough. Webb threw a perfect two-strike pitch, whipping a backdoor sweeper below the zone and off the plate. Turang, in Sandovalian fashion, cared not for the location, and golfed it just over the head of a leaping Willy Adames for Milwaukee’s first hit of the game.
History was off the table, but excellence was not. After a brief flirtation with disappointment, Webb tightened his belt and got back to work, getting Contreras to fly out and Bauers to ground out.
With that, his night was over. It was, after all, just his second game since his injury, and with the chance of a no-hitter no longer there, 95 pitches was enough for Tony Vitello to, rightly, decide that it was bullpen time.
But first, an interlude for the Giants to once again age you in double time. This time it was Arráez hitting a one-out single, and Lee with a two-out knock. There was no blown situational hitting attempt this time around, but with the Giants clinging to a 1-0 lead, it felt equal parts fitting and indefensible that they couldn’t give Webb a cushion before handing things over to a bullpen known for implosions.
So the hard way would have to work. And the Giants treated us all to a little dose of torture.
Erik Miller took the mound for the eighth, and promptly gave up a leadoff single to Jackson Chourio. After the gift of all gifts — a popped-up bunt by Blake Perkins — Miller issued a four-pitch walk to Rengifo, moving the tying run into scoring position with just one out.
Vitello, who has developed a bit of a habit for leaving relievers in until all four wheels come careening off, instead of making a switch after the first one exits the vehicle, was decisive this time around, promptly removing Miller and turning to Keaton Winn. Four pitches later, Winn had induced an inning-ending double play from the bat of Gary Sánchez.
But that wasn’t quite enough drama given the circumstances. The Giants were still in prime position to lose the game, and squander not just the best Webb start of the year, but one of the best of his career. It would have been very fitting for the season, so you wouldn’t really even be able to blame them.
And so it felt as though we were headed that way when Winn gave up a leadoff double to Yelich in the ninth. The Brewers had the tying run in scoring position, and the walk-off run at the plate, and they still had all three outs to play with.
A grounder by Vaughn supplied the first out, but moved Yelich to third. It was unclear whether that was the good news or the bad news.
Winn, who appears primed to take over the closer spot that multiple relievers have abandoned this year, showed his merit for the role in striking out Turang, a left-handed hitter who has a .991 OPS against righties this year (Susac deserves an assist for the strikeout, as he sensationally plucked a would-be wild pitch out of the air after it collided with the dirt in front of the plate).
With the sacrifice no longer in play, Winn settled in to face Contreras, needing an out in any old way. Three pitches and one ground ball later, the game was over. The very cool and memorable game, I might add.
Pitching and defense. Pitching and defense and pitching and defense and pitching and defense and juuuuust enough offense to make it all work.
Logan Webb and Matt Chapman and Logan Webb and Daniel Susac and Logan Webb and Keaton Winn and Logan Webb and juuuuuust enough Victor Bericoto.
For a small period of time, it looked like Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Toronto Marlies was destined for overtime, but Rutger McGroarty had other ideas.
With the game knotted at three, McGroarty intercepted a pass from Easton Cowan and then beat Marlies goaltender Artur Akhtyamov through the wickets to give WBS a 4-3 lead with 2:59 left in the third period.
He made sure to give everyone one heck of a celebration after scoring that goal. McGroarty now has two goals and five points in his last five games.
GOALL. Rutger McGroarty steals it and goes five-hole on Artur Akhtyamov to put #WBSPens back in front with 2:59 left in the 3rd period.
It was a huge moment for McGroarty and it's exactly what Penguins fans should want to see from one of the top prospects in the system. McGroarty's game-winning goal tied the series up at two, forcing a Game 6 back in WBS on Sunday evening.
The Penguins showed a lot of grit and determination in winning this game. They got off to a slow start in the first period and goaltender Sergei Murashov made matters worse when he misplayed a puck behind his cage and it popped back in front for an easy shorthanded goal for the Marlies.
The Marlies made it 2-0 later in the period and had all of the momentum going into the middle frame. However, the Penguins woke up and got right back into the game when Scooter Brickey fired a shot from the point, beating Akhtyamov just 3:14 into the second period.
GOAL. Scooter Brickey? Joona Koppanen? 2-1 game.
Looks like Joona Koppanen & a Toronto defender at the net-front double-deflect Scooter Brickey's shot to get #WBSPens on the board early in the 2nd period.
Chase Pietila tied the game for the Penguins with a shot from the point a little less than six minutes after Brickey's goal before Gabe Klassen gave them the lead with 51 seconds left in the period.
Owen Pickering dumped the puck deep from the blue line before Ville Koivunen fired a gorgeous pass to the front of the net and the puck was knocked in by Klassen.
— x - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) June 4, 2026
WBS tried to hang on to the 3-2 lead in the third period, but Toronto tied it with 6:56 left in regulation. Murashov initially made a save before he was interfered with, and Luke Haymes scored. The play was originally ruled no goal due to goalie interference, but the refs huddled and ruled it a good goal.
Here's the play:
Referees converge and rule this is a good goal with 6:56 left in regulation, tying the game at 3-3.
Unlike the NHL, goaltender interference cannot be reviewed by video in the AHL.
It was a bizarre call, but the Penguins weren't phased by it, and it ultimately led to McGroarty's game-winner.
It was awesome seeing some of the depth players like Brickey and Pietila step up to help the top prospects in this game. If you want to win a title, you need your depth players to make a difference at times.
The Penguins are now 5-1 on the road in the Calder Cup Playoffs and all four games in this series have been won by the road team.
A win on Friday would give the Penguins a 3-2 lead in the series and a chance to advance to the Calder Cup Final in Game 6 on Sunday.
Puck drop for Game 5 on Friday is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Jun 3, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Athletics right fielder Colby Thomas (32) hits a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the eight inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Athletics battled the Chicago Cubs in the second game of this three-game midweek series. The road-warrior A’s took an early lead and then gave it up. Up 4-2 for most of the night, it looked like the Cubs would hold on to even up the series. Yet, the A’s came back in the eighth to tie and wound up winning 5-4 in ten innings.
A’s Score Right Away
Athletics’ right fielder Carlos Cortes led off with an infield single and first baseman Nick Kurtz walked against Cubs’ starting pitcher Collin Rea. On consecutive ground balls by catcher Shea Langeliers and left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, the Cubs attempted to turn double plays, but both runners beat the relay throws to first. Cortes scored on Soderstrom’s groundout, giving the A’s a 1–0 lead.
Jeffrey Springs kept momentum on the A’s side with a scoreless bottom of the first inning. The A’s added another run in the second. With one out, third baseman Zack Gelof doubled, extending his hitting streak to eight games. He scored on shortstop Alika Williams’ two-out RBI single.
The Cubs immediately got one back. After making a nice catch in the top of the inning, right-fielder Seiya Suzuki led off the bottom of the second with his eighth home run of the season, a solo blast to the left field bleachers. That was Springs’ 13th home run allowed this season. He wiggled out of trouble following Dansby Swanson’s one-out double, keeping his team’s lead intact.
Chicago took the lead the next inning on center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong’s two-run home run to right-center field, his eighth of the season. The blast came after Soderstrom’s defensive misread on a line drive that turned into a double for Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner.
Through three innings, Jeffrey Springs again struggled with a familiar issue—giving up too many home runs, which has been a recurring problem during his ongoing winless streak. Meanwhile, Rea completed a second straight scoreless inning for the hosts in the top of the fourth, preserving their slim lead.
The Cubs scored their fourth run in the fourth inning. Ian Happ doubled, and Michael Busch followed with an RBI triple. Cortes misplayed both hits in right field, especially the triple.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay pulled Springs after 3 2/3 innings. The A’s starter allowed four runs on seven hits, with those two home runs doing most of the damage, although he was not helped by the poor outfield defense behind him. A’s right-handed reliever Joel Kuhnel came in and got Nico Hoerner to end the threat, escaping a two-on, two-out jam.
Bullpen Time
Kuhnel and left-hander Jose Suarez each turned in 1 1/3 scoreless relief appearances out of the A’s bullpen, keeping the team’s deficit at two.
With one out in the sixth, the Cubs went to their bullpen, pulling Rea from the game despite the starter allowing only two runs on four hits on just 69 pitches. Left-handed reliever Hoby Milner got the final two outs of that inning. In the seventh, right-handed reliever Jacob Webb held the A’s to one hit.
A’s Tie The Game!
Cubs’ left-handed reliever Caleb Thielbar entered to pitch the eighth. Kotsay countered by bringing Colby Thomas off the bench to pinch hit for Cortes. Thomas, who crushes left-handers, delivered by hitting his second home run of the year, a solo blast crushed deep to the left field bleachers.
Langeliers lined a double to the left-center gap with one out, positioning himself as the game-tying run. Soderstrom followed with a hit down the right field line, scoring Langeliers to tie the game. The A’s left fielder tried stretching that hit into a double. Suzuki made a nice throw to nab Soderstrom at second.
The next batter, designated hitter Brent Rooker hit a long single to center. If Soderstrom had stopped at first, he would have likely made it to third with one out on that hit, putting the visitors in prime position to take the lead. Alas, A’s center fielder Lawrence Butler failed again, hitting an inning-ending line out after fouling off multiple potential ball four pitches.
Athletics hard-throwing right-hander Luis Medina pitched the bottom of the eighth, walking Alex Bregman to start the inning before inducing a double play from Seiya Suzuki. He gave up Happ’s two-out double, but then struck out Swanson to keep the game tied.
The A’s went down in order in the ninth against Cubs’ closer Daniel Palencia. Chicago did the same in the last of the ninth as A’s reliever Hogan Harris sent this game to extra innings.
Extra Innings!
Athletics pinch-hitter Jonah Heim led off the tenth with a groundout to first, advancing the ghost-runner Williams to third. Kurtz singled to left, scoring Williams to give the A’s their first lead since the third.
Right-hander Justin Sterner pitched the tenth for the A’s, seeking the save. Hoerner led off with a fly out, advancing the Cubs’ ghost runner to third. Sterner struck out Crow-Armstrong for a big second out and then retired Bregman to end the game and seal the Athletics comeback series-clinching victory.
The series ends tomorrow evening, same time, same place. The Athletics will send right-hander J.T. Ginn to the mound as they go for the series-sweep at Wrigley. The Cubs will counter with left-hander Shota Imanaga.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 03: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs defends against Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In December’s Emirates Cup Final, New York fell behind by 11 to the Spurs before rallying to win the fourth quarter 35-19 and steal the victory.
Tonight in Game One of the NBA Finals, the Knicks were considered the underdogs. All the talk was about the Spurs—how they’re the second youngest team to play in the Finals (after the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers); how they came in with a 6-0 record in Finals Game Ones; how you can’t spell VICTORY with “Victor.” The one-sidedness of it all was obnoxious.
Well, guess what? The Knickerbockers heard none of that noise. They arrived with two streaks on the line: 53 games without a championship, and an 11-game win streak. Through the first six minutes, they were rolling, but then the shots stopped falling and gradually the Spurs racked up a 14-point lead in the third quarter. And just like in the Cup Final, New York rallied in the fourth frame, limited the Spurs to 19 points, and took the win, 105-95.
Jalen Brunson drew first blood with a triple, Victor Wembanyama answered with a long two, and they were off to the races. We knew the sweat-mop crew would be busy tonight. The Knicks started at the same pace that made Cleveland so dizzy, and San Antonio struggled to keep up and keep their composure. While the home team missed eight of their first 11 shots, the visitors converted half of theirs and seized a seven-point lead. Inside, Wemby played difficult defense, as usual, but Karl-Anthony Towns was unafraid to drive against him.
Meanwhile, Josh Hart was a rebounding machine, hauling in five over his first six minutes. By the end of the game, Josh would have three points on 1-of-5 shooting. Which looks bad. But run your eye across the statline and let the truth reveal itself: 14 rebounds, six assists, four steals, a block, and a team-high +22 in his 27 minutes. His relentless energy rescued this game from the loss column.
After a hot start, the Knicks’ shooting cooled, and too many one-and-dones allowed the Spurs to chip away. Dylan Harper, San Antonio’s terrific rookie, picked off a Brunson pass and scored five straight points, and the Spurs went on a 20-3 run while Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, and Deuce McBride covered for Towns, Hart, and Bridges.
Around the two-minute mark, Harrison Barnes rolled into Brunson’s knee. Cap briefly turned to the bench, looking like he might exit. He didn’t—and Harper hunted him for his 10th point of the game. When coach Mike Brown called a timeout, Jalen retreated to the locker room. That capped a rough quarter for the captain, who had his jersey pulled and was mauled (without a whistle) time and again. Thankfully, due to a brief burst at the end, New York cut its deficit at quarter’s end to 27-19.
In the second period, the Knicks crept back and pushed their way ahead, especially when Wemby sat.
At the eight-minute mark, Brunson returned and New York reduced the differential to one. Two minutes later, Luke Kornet stomped on his ankle, and back to the bench he limped. He raged at Scott “The Extender” Foster as he went. With four-ish minutes on the clock, it was a Brunson floater in traffic (capping eight straight points) that gave them the lead again.
The score see-sawed from there. Bridges and Harper traded two-pointers, and Shamet and Keldon Johnson swapped treys. Jose Alvarado saw more floor time with Brunson needing rest, and he scored seven points in as many minutes, plus grabbed four boards and a steal. Good stuff, Jose! A fellow Brooklyn boy, he talked quite a bit of trash with Julian Champagnie, who had 15 points in the half on 5-of-6 shooting from deep.
The score was tight until Fox stole from Brunson for a pick-six and Champagnie swished from deep. Unable to close the quarter strong, New York went into halftime on the wrong side of 55-48.
The Knicks were fortunate the game was that close, frankly. Despite slightly better shooting and dominating the paint (26-18), they gave away too many easy points. The Spurs made more threes (+3), attempted more free throws (+9), committed fewer turnovers (five to New York’s eight), and owned a 14-2 edge in fast-break points. Turns out, the Spurs are more fleet-footed than Cleveland. Champagnie led all scorers with 15 points, and Brunson had 11 for New York.
Both teams played solid defense, but more crappy shooting by New York (Brunson was 5-of-16 and counting, Towns was 3-of-9) allowed the Spurs to start on an 8-2 run. We’d start to panic if tonight’s lead tracker didn’t so closely resemble the NBA Cup game’s. (Okay, with so many shots rimming out and so few fouls being called, we’ll admit to a slight twinge of nervousness.)
Little was going right. Mikal Bridges, who had made all 19 of his free throws in the playoffs, missed from the line. Wemby subbed out, and New York cooked up eight unanswered points, cutting the gap to six. Through seven-ish minutes in the quarter, they shot 1-of-9 with Wemby on the floor; while he sat, they made all four shots. One clear advantage was Towns. The home team had no answer for him with Victor out. Thanks to a KAT putback plus a foul, our heroes were close to tying the score—and they did after a Wemby offensive foul led to Brunson magic at the other end.
Frost Bank Center shook with chants of MVP! when Brunson stepped to the charity stripe, and the adage holds true: Wherever you go, you’ll find Knicks fans. The French delight slammed an authoritative dunk late, but McBride swished his second bomb of the game as the quarter wound down to knot the score at 76.
Early in the fourth, my friend observed that Wemby had shot the same number of free throws as the entire Knicks team (10). Weird, no? Anyway, Anunoby was inconsistent through three quarters but scored eight points to give the good guys a brief four-point advantage. The Spurs weren’t folding up yet, though. Devin Vassell laid out Shamet under the rim (no call) and tipped in a layup to tie the score again with seven-plus minutes left.
Out of a timeout, the Knicks scored eight unanswered, all by Brunson. KAT was on the bench during that stretch, with Robinson fighting hard with Wemby for position in the paint. Following a couple of Knicks misses, Victor swished a three-pointer around the five-minute mark, and Brown decided it was time to reintroduce Towns to this fracas. While New York missed four shots in a row, Wemby shot a mess of free throws to regain a one-point lead heading into the final two minutes.
More Hart rebounds—he’s at 14 and counting by this point—kept the ball alive. It swung to Brunson, who swished from the corner, and two Bridges free throws made it 99-95. With under a minute left, Josh stripped Wemby around the three-point line, resulting in a dagger jumper by Jalen. 101-95.
Victor missed from 27 feet, and Fox fouled Anunoby, who added two more points. 103-95. With 21 seconds left, Fox lost the ball out of bounds. That, plus two more freebies for OG, was the final nail in the coffin.
Brunson closed the books with 30 points, shooting 12-of-31 and 2-0f-9 from deep. He was clobbered all night, yet shot just four free throws and came up big when the Knicks needed him most. Captain Clutch, indeed.
Charles Barkley made time for an outdoor workout while on his work trip to San Antonio for the 2026 NBA Finals.
Charles Barkley made time for an outdoor workout while on his work trip to San Antonio for the 2026 NBA Finals.
During “NBA Tip-Off” on ESPN, Barkley explained that the now-viral video of him doing chairlifts on the San Antonio River Walk was all part of his workout before Wednesday’s Game 1 win for the Knicks over the Spurs.
“I took my walk today, everybody was fantastic,” Barkley said as an image of him lifting a chair over his head was showed on the broadcast.
“Somebody took a picture of me doing my exercises. I’m picking up a chair, I do sets of 25. I was down on the river walk. I’m sorry I was down on the creek walk. That’s a creek, that’s not a river.”
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz, who appeared on “NBA Tip-Off,” disagreed, telling Barkley that she is proud of the river walk, which is the top tourist spot in the state.
Ortiz also chided Barkley over his previous remarks — when he said that San Antonio is the home of “some big ol’ women” while on-air in 2014.
“I learned a long time ago, you can’t teach courage. You can’t teach class,” Ortiz said. “And Mr. Barkley reminds us of that.”
Barkley laughed and added that he’s “just joking around.”
Charles Barkley on “NBA Tip-Off” on durin Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, 2026. YouTube
Barkley is open about his weight loss journey.
In April 2025, he became an ambassador for Ro, a GLP-1 weight-loss medication promoted by Serena Williams.
Harper, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft who turned 20 in March, became the youngest player in Finals history to score at least 10 points in a game. Harper has now scored 251 points during the 2026 playoffs, passing David Robinson's 243 points for most points in a single postseason by a Spurs rookie.
Right from Game 1's opening tip, Harper played with a poise and intensity that belied his inexperience on the NBA's biggest stage. In the first quarter, he shot a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and scored 10 points in just six minutes. According to ESPN Research, it was the most points by a rookie in the first quarter of Game 1 of the Finals since the play-by-play era started in 1998.
Harper's early scoring outburst helped the Spurs end the first quarter up 27-19, the only quarter in which they outscored the Knicks.
The only other Spurs rookie besides Harper to score double figures in a Finals game is Manu Ginobili, who did it three times in 2003.
Magic Johnson holds the rookie record for most points scored in an NBA Finals game, which he set in 1980 when he scored 42 points and delivered the Los Angeles Lakers the championship with a decisive Game 6 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Spurs came onto the biggest stage in basketball and encountered a team that was tough as nails mentally and physically. Jalen Brunson took a licking and kept on ticking, and Karl-Anthony Towns got to every loose ball and turned them into points. The Spurs had some great performances as Dylan Harper was able to get to the hoop on demand, and Julian Champagnie hit some great shots, while Wembanyama was off with his shot, Fox had a tough night. The Spurs were able to come back and lead by a point with 2 minutes left in the game, but were put away by the Knicks 11-0 closing kick as the visitors took home court away from the favored Spurs.
For the Spurs to beat the Knicks, they are going to need Wembanyama to dominate, because the Knicks have so many good players that they can neutralize the rest of the Spurs roster, and if De’Aaron Fox can’t hit his shots, it’s a bad night for the Silver and Black. Hats off to Jalen Brunson, who didn’t let some poor shooting to start off discourage him, as the Knicks took over the game in the last two minutes left the home court fans bereft, except for a loud Knicks fan contingent who were ecstatic with their team’s road victory.
It was a tough night for the Silver and Black, but not the first time they’ve lost the opening game of a playoff series, and they’ve been able to overcome it before in the Timberwolves series. They’re going to have to do it again if they want to win the championship, and they will need to break the Knicks 12 game winning streak on Friday night to get started on that task. Four more wins, people, and that starts with the first one in Game 2 in a couple of days.
Observations
“Impatience can be a virtue ..”—Victor Wembanyama. He’s ready to win now, and doesn’t see the need to wait to ‘pay his dues.’ Because even at his young age, he’s already paid his dues, with talent and dedication.
“Pressure busts pipes.”—Shaquille O’Neal. He oughtta know. It’s a little different twist on the saying about diamonds, but I’ll allow it. The prevalent narrative is that the Knicks are the veteran team that can handle the pressure of a finals more, but I think that Mitch Johnson has done a great job of preparing the team to be able to perform under pressure.
KAT won the opening tip and got the ball to Brunson for a quick triple. NYC got off to a quick 12-7 start as the Spurs started off cold and the Knicks red hot after their long layoff.
Luke Kornet took over for Wemby halfway through the first as the Spurs won the first quarter minutes with the big guy on the bench, retaking the lead on a Dylan Harper and-one with a little over 4 minutes left in the quarter, and the Spurs led 22-17 when Wemby returned with a little over 2 minutes left.
Brunson had to go to the locker room in the first quarter when Barnes fell into his leg after being fouled, and looked like he might have hyperextended his right knee.
The Spur led 27-19 at the end of the first quarter, completely negating New York’s hot start with a 10 point explosion from Dylan Harper.
NYC was tough to start the second quarter, as they stepped up the defense and made some hustle plays to cut into the deficit. Brunson re-entered the game after a puzzling challenge from the Spurs where Victor knocked KAT on his ass. Shows what I know, the Spurs won the challenge.
The Spurs were in the penalty for 8 minutes in the second quarter, but they couldn’t take advantage with only 4 free throws in the quarter.
Brunson brought the Knicks back into the game with his scoring, until the Spurs finished on a late surge to lead 55-48 at the half, with Julian Champagnie getting open looks and knocking them to become the game’s leading scorer with 15 points at the half.
The Knicks only scored 2 points in the first 5 minutes of the second half, and it felt like a missed opportunity that the Spurs only scored 8 to take a 13 point lead. Wemby had to sit, and a 6-0 run from the Knicks brought them back within 6 of the home team, 61-67.
Towns took control of the game in the third quarter as he got to every loose ball and punished the Spurs on the offensive boards to cut the deficit to two, with Brunson tying it up 71 each with 2 minutes left in the third.
The score was tied 76-76 at the end of the third, due to a Deuce McBride circus shot that somehow went in after bouncing off the backboard on it’s way in from the short corner.
Anunoby went nuclear to start the fourth, and did something you hardly ever see, beating Wembanyama one-on-one for a pure three point shot … nothing but net, as the Knicks took a five point lead. The Spurs tied it up on a Castle three and a Vassell tip-in and the game was tied 86-86.
An unfortunate incident happened
The Knicks took an eight point lead with 5 minutes left with the Spurs looking a bit like the pressure was too much for them, and the NYC contingent in the crowd going wild as Brunson took over for the Orange and Blue. It was definitely the low point of the game for the Silver and Black.
The Spurs retook the lead with an 8-0 run to lead 95-94 with a little over 2 minutes left. A critical tip from Brunson on the next possession allowed him to get the ball back for a cold-blooded triple to retake the lead for the Manhattan team.
The Knicks scored 9 in a row and led by 8 with 20 seconds left, and it was capped with a couple of Anonuby free throws as the Knicks won by double digits.
Up next
The Spurs are back in the Frost Bank Center on Friday night at 7:30 PM. That’s right, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel. See you there.
Jalen Brunson fends off Dylan Harper as he leads his team to victory in Game 1 of the NBA finals.Photograph: Eric Gay/AP
The New York Knicks entered Game 1 of this year’s NBA finals on one of the hottest streaks in playoff history: 11 games won in a row with opponents humiliated, humbled and crushed along the way. On Wednesday night in San Antonio many believed that streak would end as they faced the Spurs, who had knocked out the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the previous round, and are led by the most exciting player in the world, Victor Wembanyama.
The Knicks won anyway, keeping Wembanyama quiet for long stretches in a 105-95 victory on the Spurs’ home court. They are now just three wins from their first title since 1973.
Not that it was easy. At one point in the third quarter the Spurs led by 14 points but the Knicks, who overcame a 22-point deficit to beat the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, fought back to lead 78-76 early in the fourth. The Spurs briefly threatened to take control as the clock ticked down before the Knicks went on an 11-0 run to close out the game.
Jalen Brunson, an inspiration for the Knicks throughout these playoffs, came alive once again when it mattered as he saved his best for the closing minutes, ending the game with 30 points, 13 of them coming in the fourth quarter.
“Just sticking together – it wasn’t really our night and wasn’t really my night most of the night but we kept finding a way, kept chipping away,” Brunson said when asked how his team had managed to pull away from the Spurs. “Just knowing we have each other’s back – there’s a lot of things we could have done better, but I think our togetherness was really the biggest difference.”
Wembanyama, who briefly limped off court in the third quarter before returning, led the Spurs with 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. However, he was far from his dominant best and shot just 6-of-21 from the field.
It wasn’t just Brunson who delivered for the Knicks in the final minutes though. OG Anunoby scored 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and the team had no turnovers in the fourth quarter. The Spurs wilted in front of their home crowd though: they committed five turnovers in the fourth quarter while shooting 28.6%.
“I was bad tonight, it’s not more complicated than that,” said Wembanyama, who denied that the occasion had got to the Spurs. “It definitely felt special for sure, but nothing close that could be an excuse. [Nerves were] not a factor in our performance.”
Brunson had an injury scare of his own. At the end of the first quarter, he collided with San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes and left the game with a knee injury. He returned in the second quarter and appeared to hurt his ankle after a layup but stayed in the game.
The action was briefly interrupted in the second-half when a man ran on to court and attempted to take a selfie with Wembanyama. He was quickly removed by security but the Spurs will be concerned how easily the person was able to get so close to the players.
Game 2 is on Friday night in San Antonio before the best-of-seven series heads to what is sure to be a raucous contest at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins has sent an email to rival states clarifying the organisation’s controversial decision to merge its two Big Bash clubs, apologising for the ongoing fallout.
In their first NBA Finals game in 27 years, the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 on Wednesday night.
New York has won 12 straight games, as they open a 1-0 series lead.
Here are some takeaways...
- Both teams were ready to go from the opening tip, as expected. The stars were letting it fly early, as Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama scored the first two buckets of the game, and New York's hot shooting continued to open a seven-point advantage just over five minutes into the contest.
- After a sloppy stretch, though, the Spurs were able to get into a rhythm. Starting with the non-Wemby minutes, they put together a thunderous 20-3 run to push their first lead of the game all the way out to double-digits, led by Dylan Harper's 10 points off the bench in his first NBA Finals action.
- Brunson had a nightmare opening quarter, hitting just one of his seven shots, and he was forced to limp back to the locker room late in the frame after appearing to injure his right knee after Harrison Barnes fell on him.
- Jose Alvarado stepped up nicely for New York with four points and four boards off the bench in the opening minutes of the second, before the captain was ready to make his way back onto the floor (without a knee brace) in a one-possession game just four minutes into the quarter.
- Brunson went down again and had to limp to the Knicks' bench minutes later after Luke Kornet stepped on his ankle on a drive to the basket, but he was right back out there after a timeout. He immediately showed no ill-effects, giving the Knicks a brief lead with three consecutive buckets.
- New York's eighth turnover and a red-hot Julian Champagnie helped the Spurs carry a seven-point lead into the break. The St. John's product led all scorers with 15 first half points, drilling five of his six threes, with everyone else shooting a combined 26 percent from behind the arc.
- Momentum stayed in San Antonio's favor coming out of the break, as the Knicks scored just two points to open the third, making just one of their first 10 shots from the field. Wemby's presence was being felt down-low, and the Spurs were able to open their largest lead of the night at the time (13).
- Wemby limped to the bench after appearing to injure his knee, but immediately waved off trainers. New York took over from there, though, as an aggressive Karl-Anthony Towns led them on a much-needed run and a Miles McBride banked corner three evened things at 76 heading to the fourth.
- The teams traded buckets early in the fourth, then it was Brunson time. The reigning Clutch Player of the Year award winner returned to the floor just over five minutes into the quarter and immediately took things over, scoring the next eight points to create some separation.
- New York then missed their next eight shots as Wemby led the Spurs on a run, before Brunson and the Knicks counterpunched one last time with a splurge of their own to put this one away. Captain clutch scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth to lead the way for New York, once again.
- Wemby finished with 26 points and 12 boards on 6-of-21 shooting from the field. Josh Hart had just three points but did a tremendous job on the star big man and once again chipped in everywhere else, pulling in a game-high 15 rebounds while dishing out six assists and swiping four steals.
- Towns had 18 points and 12 rebounds, Anunoby 17 points, and Shamet 13 points off the bench.
Game MVP: Jalen Brunson
Brunson came alive when the Knicks needed him the most, as always.
It doesn’t matter. Jalen Brunson is a bad, bad man.
You knew it was coming.
Anyone who has watched the Knicks this postseason should have known it was coming.
Brunson carried the Knicks as they erased a 14-point third-quarter deficit to steal Game 1 of the NBA Finals with a 105-95 win over the Spurs on Wednesday night. It marked their 12th straight win and an important first punch in the series.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson celebrates hitting a 3-pointer against the Spurs during Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, 2026. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
It wasn’t at quite the same scale, but it felt similar to Game 1 of the conference finals against the Cavaliers. The familiar script felt like it truly got started midway through the fourth quarter.
The score was tied 86-86 with 7:37 left in the game as Brunson checked back in. The Knicks have broadcast this same movie so many times before. The Brunson takeover was inevitable.
“We put the ball in his hands and said we are going to live and die with him,” coach Mike Brown said. “And he got it done for us, and that’s happened time after time after time.”
Right away, Brunson got into the paint and made a layup to reestablish the Knicks lead. After a stop, Josh Hart corralled the rebound, led a fast break and dished to Brunson, who drew a foul and made both free throws to put the Knicks up four. Hart stole the ball on the other end, started another fast break and once again passed to Brunson, who finished it off.
Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns (32) goes up for a shot against Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Knicks led by six as Spurs coach Mitch Johnson called timeout. The first real audible “Let’s go Knicks” chants could be heard inside the Frost Bank Center.
Another stop after the timeout. Another Brunson bucket. It was an 8-0 Knicks run, with all points scored by Brunson.
It was like clockwork.
But it wasn’t straightforward. The Spurs immediately responded with a 9-0 run — seven of which were scored by Victor Wembanyama — to retake the lead.
No problem. Brunson went back to work.
He batted OG Anunoby’s missed 3-pointer to Mikal Bridges, got it back, then drilled a 3-pointer to put the Knicks back ahead. De’Aaron Fox missed on the other end, and Bridges subsequently got fouled and hit two free throws. Wembanyama then dribbled the ball off his leg, and Brunson came down and hit a circus-like fadeaway over Devin Vassell to put the Knicks up six. That pretty much put away the Spurs.
The Knicks closed on an 11-0 run. They outscored the Spurs by eight points in the fourth quarter. Brunson had 13 points in that quarter.
“I don’t want to say calmness, but I think we know what we have to do,” Brunson said about the Knicks’ comfort when trailing. “I think we are a pretty together group. Be able to trust each other and still have each other’s back and know that we just have to keep chipping away, chipping away. It’s just a credit to the mentality that we have as a team.”
Brunson hurt his right leg — Landry Samet pushed Harrison Barnes into him — in the first quarter, checked out with 1:27 left in the period and went back to the locker room. He returned with 8:03 left in the second quarter. Brunson said afterward that he is “fine.”
New York Post New York PostKnicks guard Jalen Brunson puts up a shot in the paint against the Spurs during Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, 2026. Jason Szenes for the New York PostJalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of the 2026 NBA Finals – Game One at Frost Bank Center on June 3, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. Getty Images
He was 7-for-22 overall and 1-for-8 from 3-point range across the first three quarters. Then, as he seemingly always does, he figured it out down the stretch.
Chalk up another win for David vs. Goliath, as Brunson, who finished with a game-high 30 points, bested Wembanyama. The Spurs star had 26 points but on rough 6-for-21 shooting from the field. His defensive presence in the paint was felt early, but Brunson and the Knicks found ways to avoid him as the game went on.
“I was bad tonight,” Wembanyama said. “It’s not more complicated than that. … I think we let that one go.”
It wasn’t just a one-man Brunson show, though. Anunoby, who had been a nonfactor up until that point, had 12 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 17. He drilled back-to-back 3s early in the period, the second of which was right in Wembanyama’s face.
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama fight for a rebound. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points, 10 of which came in the third quarter. It was really him who sparked the comeback and powered the offense for stretches when Brunson was struggling.
Towns and Hart had 12 and 15 rebounds, respectively, bravely battling Wemabanyama on the boards.
Landry Shamet provided 13 points off the bench, drilling 5 of 9 3-pointers. Mitchell Robinson played 12 minutes and grabbed six rebounds. Miles McBride and Jose Alvarado provided important minutes off the bench.
Brunson’s supporting cast answered the call when needed. But this comeback doesn’t happen without Brunson delivering his latest — and so far, most important — signature clutch-time performance.
Jalen Brunson goes up for a shot in the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Knicks fans had to wait 27 years to get back to the Finals. Forget that now, though.
It’s been 41 days since the Knicks last lost. The dream run has reached new heights.
A fan ran onto the court in the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ Game 1 win in the NBA Finals, seemingly attempting to get a selfie with Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and New York’s Mitchell Robinson.
Security at Frost Bank Center quickly descended on the interloper and ushered him off the court.
Wembanyama seemed to enjoy the bizarre scene, while Robinson was visibly befuddled. The fan ran onto the court with 6:32 left. It was a pivotal moment as the Knicks just took the lead 92-86, and the Spurs looked to answer back.
The fan seemed to have come from the opposite side of the team benches, and play was halted for roughly a minute.
“A fan just ran on the floor and wants to take a selfie. Security quickly takes him away. Crowd gives him the appropriate boo, fortunately nobody hurt,” ESPN broadcaster Mike Breen said on air as the whole thing went down.
A fan just ran on the court during the NBA Finals to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyamapic.twitter.com/IyLFgK9dAy
— internet hall of fame (@InternetH0F) June 4, 2026
A fan runs onto the court and takes a photo with Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on June 3, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. Getty Images
“It’s just too good for that to happen,” analyst Tim Legler added on-air.
The referees were left to sort things out in the aftermath, opting to give the Spurs possession at midcourt. With the momentum altered, the Spurs, after the delay, went back on offense and missed a key shot.
The Knicks continued their strong second half and finished it out, winning 105-95.
The moment seemed to be more reminiscent of something that might happen at a soccer match than an NBA game.
Wembanyama seemed to enjoy the scene, while Robinson was befuddled. ESPN
In the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, a young man ran onto the court and pulled his phone out to take a selfie. Security quickly swooped in and escorted the fan off the court in San Antonio.
Victor Wembanyama, who the fan was seemingly trying to get in the selfie, was standing next to Mitchell Robinson. The Spurs center laughed while the Knicks big man looked confused.
A fan runs on the floor during a live game to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyama (with a replay).
