The New York Knicks moved two wins away from their first NBA championship in more than five decades after edging the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in a thrilling Game 2 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
The Knicks completed a perfect opening stretch on the road, winning both games in San Antonio before the series shifted to New York. The victory also extended New York's playoff winning streak to 13 games, one of the longest postseason runs in NBA history.
Game 2 proved to be another nail-biter. After trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half, the Knicks fought back to take a 56-52 lead into halftime and eventually held off a late Spurs rally.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges added 20 points each. OG Anunoby chipped in with 17 points as New York relied on balanced scoring and strong ball movement to secure the victory.
The game's decisive moment came in the final seconds when Spurs star Victor Wembanyama committed a costly turnover. Brunson capitalized by drawing a foul and knocking down the go-ahead free throw with 9.5 seconds remaining. Wembanyama then missed a potential game-winning jumper at the buzzer, allowing the Knicks to escape with a one-point win.
Despite the defeat, Wembanyama delivered another standout performance for San Antonio, finishing with 29 points and nine rebounds. The Spurs also received a boost from De'Aaron Fox, but their improved shooting numbers were not enough to prevent them from falling into an 0-2 series hole.
The Finals have generated massive excitement in New York, with Madison Square Garden hosting NBA Finals games for the first time since 1999. Fans across the city have embraced what many are calling "Knicks Mania" as the franchise seeks its first title since 1973.
The pressure now falls squarely on the Spurs, who must win on the road to keep their championship hopes alive. Historically, teams that fall behind 0-2 in the NBA Finals face an uphill battle, making Game 3 a must-win scenario for San Antonio.