NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: June 5, 2026, 2:53 PM ET

NBA Finals: Knicks Take Opening Game, Wemby Confident in Response

Victor Wembanyama accepted responsibility for the San Antonio Spurs' Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals but expressed unwavering confidence in his team's ability to respond. The Spurs forged resilience through two challenging seasons that they believe will serve them well despite letting a late lead slip in the series opener. As the series shifts to New York, analysts question whether the Knicks figured out Wembanyama's defensive approach after Game 1's key matchups and crucial plays.

New York's Historical Quest

The Knicks' "Nova Knicks" could make history by becoming just the fifth set of teammates to win championships at both the college and NBA levels, adding another layer of significance to their Finals run. The current squad connects two eras of Knicks basketball, with Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson and other alumni seeing the same competitive edge that fueled their own championship pursuit in the 1990s.

Spurs' Fan Phenomenon

San Antonio's unique home-court advantage comes from the 83-member Jackals fan club handpicked by Wembanyama, which transforms Section 114 into a choreographed spectacle that opponents find intimidating. The rookie sensation has embraced this connection as the team seeks to rebound from their Game 1 disappointment.

League Matters & Controversies

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver declined to set a timeline for the completion of the investigation into the Clippers' potential salary cap circumvention but emphasized that the process needs to "wrap up soon." Meanwhile, two fans received lifetime bans from all NBA arenas for their selfie-seeking incident during Game, while the league investigated an interaction between Knicks star Jalen Brunson and courtside fans during the same contest. Adding star power to the series, President Trump confirmed his attendance at Game 3 in New York after accepting an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan.