The New York Knicks held off the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA Finals to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, extending a remarkable run of 13 straight victories. The win, covered on ABC News, leaves them just two victories away from a first NBA championship since 1973.
For long stretches it was a struggle for the biggest names on the floor. San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama, regarded as one of the most gifted players in the game, was held to just seven points in a quiet first half, while Knicks star Jalen Brunson also laboured, finishing seven of 24 from the field on the night.
With the stars misfiring, others stepped up for New York. Karl-Anthony Towns carried the team with 21 points and 13 rebounds, repeatedly finding himself in the middle of the big moments in the first half. Mikal Bridges added 20 points, hitting eight of 13 shots including four three-pointers, with a strong third quarter that handed the Knicks some breathing room.
By the start of the fourth quarter the Knicks had pushed their advantage to 14 points, their largest lead of the night. But San Antonio refused to fold and clawed their way back into it, taking the lead with under a minute remaining as they chased a Game 2 win of their own and a share of the series.
The finish swung on a few frantic possessions. Brunson stole the ball and Wembanyama answered with a basket, before a Wembanyama turnover and foul sent Brunson to the free throw line to nudge the Knicks back in front by a point. San Antonio still had a chance to win it with the final shot, but it would not drop, and the Knicks survived.
Wembanyama did not hide his frustration afterwards. I threw that one away, I messed up, he said, adding that the Knicks needed to win that game and that this game was ours. The Spurs now head into the next stage of the series trailing 2-0, with plenty of work to do to climb back into contention.
For the Knicks, the mood was very different. Karl-Anthony Towns, who lost his mother to COVID in 2020, said he had prayed to her before the decisive possession, explaining that he looks for any sign he can get. With the series shifting back to Madison Square Garden, where Spike Lee was among the fans, New York is now within two wins of ending a title drought stretching back more than half a century.