Knicks Edge Spurs 105-104 for 2-0 Lead in NBA Finals/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals to take a 2-0 series lead. Jalen Brunson made the go-ahead free throw with 9.5 seconds remaining after a costly Victor Wembanyama turnover. The series now shifts to Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks are two wins away from their first NBA championship since 1973.
Knicks Take 2-0 NBA Finals Lead Quick Looks
- Knicks defeat Spurs 105-104 in Game 2.
- New York leads the NBA Finals 2-0.
- Jalen Brunson hit the winning free throw with 9.5 seconds left.
- Victor Wembanyama missed the potential game-winning jumper.
- Karl-Anthony Towns posted 21 points and 13 rebounds.
- Brunson and Mikal Bridges scored 20 points each.
- Wembanyama led San Antonio with 29 points.
- De’Aaron Fox added 20 points for the Spurs.
- Knicks have won 13 consecutive playoff games.
- Series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Game 3.
Deep Look
Knicks Survive Late Spurs Rally
The New York Knicks moved within two victories of an NBA championship Friday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in a dramatic Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
The victory gives New York a commanding 2-0 lead in the series as it heads back to Madison Square Garden, where the franchise will host an NBA Finals game for the first time in decades.
“What a ballgame,” Knicks coach Mike Brown marveled.
After leading for much of the contest, New York watched a double-digit advantage disappear before delivering another clutch finish in a postseason full of them.
Brunson Delivers Again
With the game tied late in the fourth quarter, the decisive sequence began when Victor Wembanyama committed a turnover in the closing seconds.
Jalen Brunson was fouled shortly afterward and calmly stepped to the free-throw line, converting the go-ahead shot with 9.5 seconds remaining.
The Spurs still had one final opportunity.
Following a timeout, De’Aaron Fox found Wembanyama for a jumper that could have given San Antonio the victory. The shot bounced off the rim, allowing the Knicks to escape with another one-point win.
Brunson finished with 20 points despite struggling from the field, making just seven of his 24 attempts.
Towns Leads Balanced Knicks Attack
Karl-Anthony Towns produced another dominant performance, recording 21 points and 13 rebounds while helping stabilize New York throughout the game.
Brunson and Mikal Bridges each contributed 20 points as the Knicks continued their remarkable postseason run.
“New York City showed up,” Towns said. “The fans showed up. The energy showed up. And we found a way to get it done.”
The victory extended New York’s winning streak to 13 games, the second-longest playoff winning streak in NBA history.
Wembanyama Nearly Completes Comeback
For much of the first half, Victor Wembanyama struggled to make a major impact.
That changed dramatically after halftime.
The Spurs superstar erupted for 29 points and nearly carried San Antonio to an improbable comeback.
Trailing by 14 points midway through the fourth quarter, the Spurs responded with a stunning 14-0 run to erase the deficit.
Wembanyama’s three-point play with 57 seconds left gave San Antonio a 104-102 lead, its first advantage in nearly two quarters.
“We can’t change the past,” Wembanyama said, “We’re already thinking about Game 3.”
Fox added 20 points as San Antonio fought back from what appeared to be a losing position.
Spurs Fall Short Despite Strong Finish
San Antonio’s late surge demonstrated the resilience that carried the team to the NBA Finals.
Coach Mitch Johnson praised his team’s response after falling behind by double digits.
“We showed tremendous desperation, urgency and competitive response,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “Hopefully we can try to bottle that up … and try to play to that same level.”
Despite the effort, the Spurs could not secure the final defensive stop or convert the game-winning opportunity.
The result leaves San Antonio facing significant pressure entering Game 3.
Madison Square Garden Awaits
The series now shifts to New York, where excitement is reaching levels not seen in generations.
The Knicks are seeking their first NBA championship since 1973 and have placed themselves in elite historical company.
Only two teams before them have won the first two games of the NBA Finals on the road: Michael Jordan’s 1993 Chicago Bulls and Hakeem Olajuwon’s 1995 Houston Rockets.
Both went on to win the championship.
Game 3 is scheduled for Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
President Donald Trump has announced plans to attend, adding another layer of attention to what is already one of the most anticipated sporting events in New York in decades.
Ticket demand has surged, with secondary-market prices nearing $9,000 for some of the least expensive seats available.
Two Wins Away From History
The Knicks now stand just two victories from ending a championship drought that has lasted more than half a century.
Their postseason run has been fueled by clutch performances, balanced scoring, strong defense and a belief that has only grown with each victory.
“We had to get a stop. We hadn’t gotten a stop all quarter,” Towns said.
They got that stop when it mattered most.
Now the NBA Finals head to New York, where the Knicks will have an opportunity to move even closer to one of the most significant championships in franchise history.
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