The Knicks have damaged the Spurs within the 2026 NBA Finals after Recreation 2 win

The New York Knicks are headed again to Madison Sq. Backyard with the chance to deliver dwelling the franchise’s first championship in 53 years with out leaving town. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-104, in Recreation 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals to turn out to be the third workforce 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 gained 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 coming into the collection, however the Knicks have out-classed a younger San Antonio workforce on each ends to take full management within the matchup to this point.

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 bounce shot with 13 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to throw an outlet cross to teammate Stephon Citadel. Solely drawback: Citadel 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 probability, however Wembanyama missed an try on the game-winning jumper on the buzzer:

For lengthy stretches on this sport, 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 changing into their signature mix of selfless ball-movement, expert capturing, and hard protection. The Knicks have a real five-out offense, and the specter of their capturing is placing San Antonio’s protection in fixed rotation. New York has immaculate spacing and a complete lineup that each one dribble, cross, 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 will be straightforward 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 collection. Victor Wembanyama seemed like the perfect participant on this planet 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, entering into his dribble when he places the ball on the ground, and making him defend out on the perimeter to drag him away from the paint.

The important thing for the Knicks on each ends has been Karl-Anthony Cities. He needs to be Finals MVP if the collection ended right now.

Cities’ protection has been questioned by way of his profession. He’s fully turned it round defensively throughout this playoff run. Cities seems comfy 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 sport. Offensively, Cities’ knockdown capturing potential means Wemby can’t cling across the rim. When he sees a gap, KAT can be persistently attacking off the dribble to place strain on the rim and end by way of Wembanyama and different Spurs defenders.

Jalen Brunson took the Knicks dwelling with clutch shot-making down the stretch in Recreation 1, however for probably the most half San Antonio has carried out 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 all the pieces in earlier years. The Knicks 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 pictures to this point on this collection. He’s nonetheless been emptying the clip when the Knicks really want 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 capturing. The late turnover on the lookout for Citadel on the finish of Recreation 2 would possibly hang-out the Spurs for a very long time.

The Knicks are actually up 2-0 within the 2026 NBA Finals. Recreation 3 is Monday in Madison Sq. Backyard. It’s going to be unbelievable. The collection simply retains getting higher and higher.