Knicks Take 2-0 NBA Finals Lead Over Spurs
The New York Knicks hold a commanding Knicks NBA Finals advantage after edging the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in Game 2 on Friday, The New York Times reported. New York now sits just two victories from ending a championship drought stretching back to 1973.
A Dramatic Finish in San Antonio
Forward Karl-Anthony Towns anchored New York with 21 points and 13 rebounds. The Knicks built a 14-point cushion with six minutes remaining before San Antonio stormed back to tie the game. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama then had a chance to win it but coughed up a turnover with under 10 seconds left. His subsequent 20-foot jumper rattled out as time expired.
Wembanyama finished with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting, adding nine rebounds and four blocks. De’Aaron Fox chipped in 20 points, and rookie Dylan Harper provided 15 off the bench. Despite the result, the 22-year-old Frenchman showed why the league views him as its generational centerpiece.
Jalen Brunson managed just 7-of-25 from the field yet still scored 20 points. Mikal Bridges added 20, and OG Anunoby contributed 17 while delivering a momentum-shifting dunk over Wembanyama that paradoxically sparked the Spurs’ late rally.
The Knicks’ Historic Winning Streak
New York has now won 13 consecutive playoff games, the second-longest such run in NBA postseason history. Only the 2017 Golden State Warriors, who reeled off 15 straight, have surpassed that mark. Head coach Mike Brown deflected credit entirely, attributing the run to the quality of his roster. Teams that take a 2-0 Finals lead carry a 32-5 all-time record in those series, making New York heavy historical favorites to close it out.
The Role Player Stealing Headlines
One of the quieter stories driving New York’s run is guard Landry Shamet. He entered training camp on a non-guaranteed contract and battled a shoulder injury that cost him significant time. He has since scored in double figures six times across eight playoff games. His efficiency from three-point range has been exceptional throughout the postseason, and his defensive versatility gives coach Brown a reliable two-way option off the bench.
What Comes Next
Game 3 tips off Monday at 8:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden, marking the first NBA Finals game at MSG since 1999. President Donald Trump is expected to attend, making it a rare occasion featuring a sitting U.S. president at the Finals. The Spurs must win to avoid falling into a near-impossible 3-0 hole.
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