History says Knicks are actually in trouble after winning Game 1 of NBA Finals

The New York Knicks pulled off one of the more impressive road performances in recent Finals history Wednesday night, overcoming a 14-point third-quarter deficit to upset the San Antonio Spurs in their home. The city is buzzing following the 105-95 victory in Game 1. 

But history suggests New York may need to pump the brakes because winning on the road in the Finals isn't just rare; it's historically been a trap.

Broadcaster Sean Grande posted a sobering trend earlier Thursday, showing the last three road teams that won Game 1 of the NBA Finals all ended up losing the series. In 2025, the Indiana Pacers, who eliminated these same Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, took Game 1 on the road before the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied to win the title in seven. 

Before that, the 2022 Boston Celtics and 2013 Spurs both stole Game 1 away from home and came up short in the Finals series. Boston won Game 1 on the road with a major fourth-quarter comeback, but eventually lost the series 4-2 to the Golden State Warriors. And the Spurs surrendered a 3-2 series lead to LeBron James' Miami Heat, which is still considered one of the most heartbreaking Finals collapses ever.

The last road team to win Game 1 of the Finals and win the championship was the 2004 Detroit Pistons, who upset the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1. That was 22 years ago.

Fast forward to now, in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals, Jalen Brunson scored 30 points and helped extend the Knicks' playoff winning streak to 12 games, tying the 1999 Spurs. First-year head coach Mike Brown's offense worked as planned, limiting Victor Wembanyama to 6-of-21 shooting with six turnovers and holding De'Aaron Fox to only seven points on 3-of-13 shooting.

However, San Antonio will likely adjust. They proved their resilience by beating the defending champion Thunder in a seven-game Western Conference Finals series. The Knicks, however, swept Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals and haven't lost since April 23 against the Atlanta Hawks.

New York fans want their first title since 1973, but history is not helping them much. Still, past trends are just some additional data that help in analysis. So, the team that is actually worthy will take the Larry O'Brien Trophy home.

More NBA News:

• Why everyone is suddenly feeling bad for the guy who stormed the court on Victor Wembanyama
• RGIII drops truth bomb on De’Aaron Fox after ugly 3-13 disaster in Game 1
• Knicks spoil Spurs’ perfect Game 1 Finals record — former Cowboys star responds with fiery ‘receipts’ threat
• The surprising reason one Knicks star finds it ‘cool’ if Victor Wembanyama guards him
• Victor Wembanyama’s response should worry Knicks after Game 1