The Knicks survived a furious late-game assault from Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to claim a dramatic, down-to-the-wire 105-104 victory in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday night. With this gritty road win, New York takes a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
After stealing home-court advantage in a high-octane series opener, New York now heads back to the iconic Madison Square Garden with massive momentum on their side. The franchise is now just two victories away from ending a historic championship drought that stretches all the way back to 1973.
Victor Wembanyama Almost Flips The Script
For most of the fourth quarter, the Knicks looked completely in control of the game. Driven by their relentless defensive identity, New York built a seemingly comfortable 14-point lead with just over six minutes remaining on the clock. It appeared the Eastern Conference champions were cruising toward a relatively straightforward victory to sweep the Texas leg of the series.
Then, Victor Wembanyama happened. The 7-foot-4 Spurs superstar sparked a breathtaking, single-handed rally that completely turned the game on its head. Energizing the home crowd at the Frost Bank Center, Wembanyama dominated both rims, rejecting New York drivers and hitting transition buckets. His dramatic three-point play in the final minute capped a remarkable turnaround, briefly handing San Antonio a late two-point lead.
Inside the Box Score: Game 2 Star Performers
- New York Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns (21 PTS, 13 REB), Mikal Bridges (20 PTS), Jalen Brunson (18 PTS, 7-25 FG)
- San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (29 PTS, 11-21 FG), De’Aaron Fox (20 PTS)
- Turning Point: Jalen Brunson’s clutch mid-range fadeaway to tie the game, followed by a costly Wembanyama turnover.
Brunson Struggles, but Delivers When it Matters Most
The Knicks managed to escape with the win despite a historically rough shooting night from their superstar point guard. Jalen Brunson finished with 18 points but shot a dismal 7-of-25 from the field, marking one of his least efficient scoring outings of the entire 2026 postseason run.
Fortunately for New York, the supporting cast stepped up beautifully. Karl-Anthony Towns anchored the paint, producing a monster double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while swingman Mikal Bridges chipped in with an incredibly efficient 20 points.
When the game hung in the balance, Brunson shook off his previous misses to drill a clutch fadeaway jumper, leveling the score. Following a sequence of frantic defensive stops from both teams, Wembanyama committed a costly turnover and foul, sending Brunson to the free-throw line. The All-Star guard split the free throws, giving New York a slender 105-104 advantage. With one final possession left, Wembanyama rose over Mitchell Robinson for a potential game-winning mid-range jumper, but the ball rattled off the rim as time expired.
A Historic Playoff Streak Continues
The thrilling victory extends New York’s current postseason winning streak to an unbelievable 13 games—the second-longest playoff winning streak in NBA history.
| All-Time NBA Postseason Win Streaks | Team | Year | Outcome |
| 15 Consecutive Wins | Golden State Warriors | 2017 | Won NBA Championship |
| 13 Consecutive Wins | New York Knicks | 2026 | Currently Leading Finals 2-0 |
| 12 Consecutive Wins | Los Angeles Lakers | 2001 | Won NBA Championship |
Only the legendary 2017 Golden State Warriors, who ripped off 15 consecutive playoff victories en route to a title, have put together a more dominant postseason run. The series now shifts back to New York, where Madison Square Garden will host Game 3 on Monday night as the Spurs look to keep their championship hopes alive.