The overlooked stat that crushed San Antonio Spurs in Game 1

The San Antonio Spurs had enough offense to win Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Victor Wembanyama recorded a team-high 26 points and 12 rebounds in his NBA Finals debut. Dylan Harper added 16 points and helped build an early lead. By the middle of the third quarter, San Antonio was up by 14 points.

That should have put New York in serious trouble. Instead, the Knicks stayed close.

The reason became clearer as the game unfolded. Every time New York missed a shot, there was a chance the possession would continue. The Spurs would force a difficult attempt. Then the Knicks would grab the rebound and attack again.

Those extra opportunities slowly changed the game.

New York's huge edge on the offensive glass and resulting 23 second-chance points completely broke San Antonio's rhythm in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals. By keeping possessions alive and generating opportunistic baskets, the Knicks prevented the Spurs from building any lasting momentum during crucial stretches.

The Spurs played well enough to lead. They did not rebound well enough to pull away. That distinction became more important with every quarter.

The Knicks remained within striking distance despite trailing for much of the night. A double-digit deficit never became an overwhelming one. New York always had a path back into the game because possessions kept extending.

Eventually, those possessions started producing points and the impact showed up late.

Victor Wembanyama made a free throw with 2:16 remaining to give San Antonio a 95-94 lead. The Spurs were still in position to take Game 1. Then New York grabbed another offensive rebound. Moments later, Jalen Brunson connected from deep and the momentum changed entirely.

The Knicks closed the game on an 11-0 run. Afterward, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson pointed toward the issue that had been hurting his team all night.

"The offensive rebounds crushed us," Johnson said.

That comment explained why the final score felt frustrating from San Antonio's perspective. The Spurs did enough things to win. They scored enough points, built a large lead and successfully put themselves in a position late.

What they could not do was finish defensive possessions consistently.

By the time New York took control in the closing minutes, that problem had already shaped the entire game.

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