The New York Knicks are headed again to Madison Sq. Backyard with the chance to carry residence the franchise’s first championship in 53 years with out leaving town. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-104, in Sport 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals to develop into the third staff in league historical past to win the primary two video games of the championship spherical on the highway, becoming a member of the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets.
The Knicks have now received 13 straight playoff video games, with 11 of these victories coming by double-figures. The Spurs had been a 2-1 favourite within the betting markets getting into the sequence, however the Knicks have out-classed a younger San Antonio staff on each ends to take full management within the matchup up to now.
The Knicks took a 97-83 lead with six minutes remaining on a driving dunk by OG Anunoby. From there, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to tie the sport. The tip of the fourth quarter featured a wild sequence the place Jalen Brunson missed a mid-range leap shot with 13 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to throw an outlet move to teammate Stephon Fort. Solely drawback: Fort wasn’t on the lookout for the ball, so it hit him within the again and resulted in a turnover. Brunson was fouled after the Knicks recovered the possession, and he cut up two free throws to present New York the lead. The Spurs had one final likelihood, however Wembanyama missed an try on the game-winning jumper on the buzzer:
For lengthy stretches on this recreation, it felt just like the Knicks had mastered basketball. After the Spurs ended the primary quarter with a nine-point lead, New York roared again within the second quarter with what’s rapidly turning into their signature mix of selfless ball-movement, expert taking pictures, and difficult protection. The Knicks have a real five-out offense, and the specter of their taking pictures is placing San Antonio’s protection in fixed rotation. New York has immaculate spacing and a whole lineup that every one dribble, move, and shoot.
All of it got here collectively on this possession the place all 5 gamers touched the ball earlier than Mikal Bridges walked into an opener nook three, which he drilled.
The Knicks have so many weapons offensively that it could be simple to miss their protection, however their dedication to the opposite finish of the ground is what’s given them such a powerful grip on this sequence. Victor Wembanyama appeared like one of the best participant on the earth after main the Spurs to a 7-game Western Convention Finals victory over the defending champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. The Knicks are flustered Wembanyama by way of two video games within the NBA Finals by pushing him out to the perimeter, stepping into his dribble when he places the ball on the ground, and making him defend out on the perimeter to tug him away from the paint.
The important thing for the Knicks on each ends has been Karl-Anthony Cities. He must be Finals MVP if the sequence ended at present.
Cities’ protection has been questioned by way of his profession. He’s fully turned it round defensively throughout this playoff run. Cities appears snug pressuring Wembanyama out on the perimeter defensively, and he has the energy to maintain him away his spots across the elbow or contained in the paint. He’s additionally an elite defensive rebounder who has been cleansing up on the glass and permitting New York to win the possession recreation. Offensively, Cities’ knockdown taking pictures capacity means Wemby can’t grasp across the rim. When he sees a gap, KAT can also be constantly attacking off the dribble to place stress on the rim and end by way of Wembanyama and different Spurs defenders.
Jalen Brunson took the Knicks residence with clutch shot-making down the stretch in Sport 1, however for probably the most half San Antonio has executed a wonderful job defending him. It’s been the opposite Knicks who’ve picked Brunson up. New York’s offense felt means too depending on Brunson to create the whole lot in earlier years. The Knicks now not appears like a one-man present on offense, and it’s making them a lot tougher to defend.
Brunson has 50 factors on 56 photographs up to now on this sequence. He’s nonetheless been emptying the clip when the Knicks actually need a bucket, nevertheless it’s gamers like OG Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and reserve guard Landry Shamet have stored the offense buzzing.
Wembanyama ended the sport with 29 factors on 11-of-21 taking pictures. The late turnover on the lookout for Fort on the finish of Sport 2 may hang-out the Spurs for a very long time.
The Knicks are actually up 2-0 within the 2026 NBA Finals. Sport 3 is Monday in Madison Sq. Backyard. It’s going to be unimaginable. The sequence simply retains getting higher and higher.
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