Knicks take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals against Spurs

SAN ANTONIO -- The New York Knicks secured a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals after a thrilling 105-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on June 5, 2026. Jalen Brunson played a pivotal role, hitting a go-ahead free throw with 9.5 seconds left, following a turnover by Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama then missed a jumper at the buzzer, sealing the win for the Knicks.

This marks the first time in franchise history that the Knicks have taken a 2-0 lead in the Finals. Knicks coach Mike Brown expressed his admiration for the game, stating, "What a ballgame."

The Knicks are now just two wins away from their first championship since 1973. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while both Brunson and Mikal Bridges contributed 20 points each. The Knicks have now won 13 consecutive games, which is the second-longest playoff winning streak in NBA history.

"New York City showed up," said Towns. "The fans showed up. The energy showed up. And we found a way to get it done."

The Knicks joined an elite group of just three teams to win the first two games of the Finals on the road, a feat previously accomplished by the 1993 Chicago Bulls and the 1995 Houston Rockets.

In the game, Wembanyama finished with a strong performance, scoring 29 points despite struggling in the first half. De'Aaron Fox added 20 points for the Spurs. Wembanyama acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, "We can't change the past. We're already thinking about Game 3."

The series now moves to Madison Square Garden in New York for Game 3 on Monday night, where fans are showing immense enthusiasm, with ticket prices for the lowest seats exceeding $11,000.

The Spurs rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter, managing a 14-0 run to tie the game. Wembanyama's three-point play briefly gave the Spurs the lead at 104-102 with just under a minute remaining. However, the Knicks responded, with Brunson scoring again to level the score.

Following a missed jumper from Wembanyama and a rebound from OG Anunoby, the Knicks called a timeout. A crucial foul by the Spurs allowed Brunson to take the lead for New York, leading to a hasty exit from Spurs fans.

As the Spurs tried to stage a last-minute comeback, Fox passed to Wembanyama for a potential game-winning shot, which unfortunately fell short. Towns remarked on the significance of the moment: "We had to get a stop. We hadn't gotten a stop all quarter."

Next stop: New York, where the Knicks know a championship is just two victories away.