Why did Spurs collapse late Game 1?

Spurs’ late collapse and Knicks’ momentum swing

San Antonio’s Game 1 loss was shaped by a sharp late-game momentum shift: the Spurs let the Knicks close on an 11-0 run in the closing stretch. That stretch mattered because it erased San Antonio’s late lead and forced the Spurs into catch-up basketball against a New York team that had already been playing with high confidence throughout the postseason.

The Knicks’ comeback also connected to how their offense operated in the biggest moments. Multiple takes from the Game 1 coverage emphasize Brunson’s scoring burst—he finished with 30 points—and the way Karl-Anthony Towns contributed in a win that was otherwise described as a grind. Even though the Knicks entered the Finals on a historic roll, the game itself included stretches where New York looked less “smooth” than usual, making the late run even more important.

Several storylines underscore that the Knicks’ closing stretch wasn’t just one player’s output; it also reflected execution on both ends. Reports on defensive and matchup adjustments highlight that New York survived periods when it didn’t have its usual rhythm and then tightened play after halftime, turning a game that had gone through phases into a Knicks-controlled finish.

The result puts New York in a favorable position early in the Finals—Game 1 turns the series into a three-more-wins path for the Knicks. For San Antonio, the implication is clear: even a strong start and solid averages can be undone if the team can’t prevent late scoring surges.

In short, the Spurs didn’t just lose—San Antonio’s inability to stop New York’s final surge defined the outcome and sets the tone for what must be corrected immediately heading into the next game.