The New York Knicks moved within touching distance of a long-awaited NBA championship after edging the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in a dramatic Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Center on Friday night.
In a contest packed with momentum swings, physical battles and late-game tension, the Knicks survived a furious fourth-quarter rally from the Spurs to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
New York appeared in complete control for much of the second half and built a 14-point advantage in the final quarter before San Antonio stormed back behind the brilliance of Victor Wembanyama and the relentless energy of its young core.
The game ultimately came down to the final possession, but Wembanyama’s contested jumper at the buzzer bounced off the rim, allowing the Knicks to escape with victory and extend their remarkable postseason winning streak to 13 games.
Brunson and Towns Deliver in Key Moments
The Knicks once again leaned on their experienced stars when the pressure intensified.
Jalen Brunson produced 20 points, five rebounds, six assists and five steals, while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Mikal Bridges added 20 points and knocked down four three-pointers as New York continued its impressive playoff run.
Brunson’s biggest contribution arrived in the closing seconds. With the Spurs threatening to steal the game, Wembanyama attempted to advance the ball after intentionally throwing it off teammate Stephon Castle.
Instead, possession fell into Brunson’s hands. The Spurs star then collided with the Knicks captain, sending him to the free-throw line with 9.5 seconds remaining.
Brunson calmly converted one of two attempts to give New York a one-point advantage. That set up one final opportunity for San Antonio.
Wembanyama, who finished with 29 points and nine rebounds, rose for a potential game-winning jumper over Mitchell Robinson, but the shot drifted long as the buzzer sounded.
After the final horn, Towns praised his team’s composure despite San Antonio’s late surge. “A great player got a great shot. It just didn’t go in. I take it as a sign my Mom is here with me,” Towns said. “The reason we won this game is we gave ourselves a lead. The Spurs fought, they got themselves back in the game, gave themselves a chance to win. The grit, the resiliency, New York City showed up.”
Spurs Fight Back But Fall Short
For long stretches, it seemed the series was heading toward a split.
The Spurs produced one final push in front of a passionate home crowd, erasing a double-digit deficit through defensive pressure and aggressive attacking basketball.
Wembanyama sparked the comeback, scoring 21 of his 29 points in the second half and inspiring a 14-0 run that transformed the atmosphere inside the arena.
Dylan Harper was instrumental during the rally, attacking the basket and finishing with 15 points, while De’Aaron Fox added 20 points on an efficient 8-for-12 shooting performance.
San Antonio eventually grabbed its first lead of the second half when Harper drove into the lane and found Wembanyama for an and-one finish that made it 104-102.
However, the Knicks immediately responded. Brunson delivered a clutch mid-range jumper with just over 39 seconds left to level the score before the chaotic final sequence unfolded.
The defeat leaves the Spurs facing a significant challenge. No team in this series has found a consistent answer for New York’s balanced attack, defensive intensity and late-game execution.
The result also places the Knicks in rare company. Their 13 consecutive playoff victories represent one of the longest postseason winning streaks in NBA history, trailing only the 15-game run achieved by the Golden State Warriors during the 2017 playoffs.
For New York, the dream of ending a championship drought that dates back to 1973 is becoming increasingly realistic. The Knicks now return home needing just two more victories to capture the NBA title.
As veteran broadcaster Mike Breen aptly described it, Game 2 was “an NBA Finals classic.” For the Knicks, it may also prove to be the night that brought them within sight of basketball immortality.
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