The New York Knicks are on the brink of their first NBA title since 1973 after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in Game 2 on Friday to lead the series 2-0.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the way at the Frost Bank Center with 21 points and 13 rebounds on the night, as New York showed the collective quality that has carried them throughout the playoffs.
Mikal Bridges was superb in support, finishing with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, adding six assists and six rebounds in another impressive all-round display.
Knicks star Jalen Brunson was not at his sharpest, shooting 7-of-25 from the field, but still found ways to contribute with 20 points, six assists and five steals.
Victor Wembanyama gave San Antonio everything he had – with 29 points and nine rebounds – but the Spurs were unable to secure the win they so desperately needed.
De’Aaron Fox added 20 points and five assists for the Spurs, who led by as many as 12 in the first quarter before New York rallied to outscore them in the final three periods.
Devin Vassell contributed 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Spurs, but it was not enough as New York’s collective resolve proved the difference.
It follows a dramatic Game 1 in which the Knicks trailed early after Brunson hurt his knee in the first quarter, only to storm back and win 105-95.
The Knicks previously swept Cleveland 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals and have now won 13-straight playoff games.
New York’s win comes despite NBA officials being accused of protecting Spurs star Wembanyama against the New York Knicks’ frontcourt during the ongoing Finals.
The most egregious transgression in the minds of Knicks fans came in the second quarter of Game 2 when New York’s Mitchell Robinson was called for a technical.
After a clear push-off by Wembanyama, Robinson grabbed his jersey and some brief shoving ensued. Although Robinson’s right arm was seen pushing Wembanyama’s back after referee Josh Tiven whistled the play dead, many fans did not think he warranted a technical foul.
‘WHAT!?’ long-time sports pundit Skip Bayless wrote on X. ‘Obviously not a tech on Robinson. Wemby so overprotected by the league.’
New York entered this postseason as a third seed, dismissed by many as contenders.
However, they have beaten Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland without breaking sweat, and now lead the Spurs 2-0 as they head back to New York for Game 3.
The franchise last won the championship in 1973 – the year of Frazier, Reed and DeBusschere. A city that has endured 53 years of near-misses now dares to dream in a way it has not done in a generation.
The series now moves to Madison Square Garden, where President Donald Trump will attend Game 3 on Monday.
Trump was personally invited by Knicks owner James Dolan. NBA commissioner Adam Silver welcomed the visit, calling Trump a lifelong Knicks fan who attended multiple NBA drafts at the Garden in earlier years.
Fans are advised to arrive two hours early due to the Secret Service security operation. NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani will also attend, though in a separate section from the president.
Tickets for Game 3 are among the hottest in recent sporting memory, with get-in prices reported at over $7,000 and some courtside seats listed north of $200,000.
More to follow…
