Knicks Hold Off Spurs To Take 2-0 Lead In NBA Finals

The New York Knicks took a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals after edging the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 on Friday. New York have now won 13 straight play-off games and head to Madison Square Garden needing two more victories to claim a first NBA championship since 1973.

The contest swung several times before the finish. San Antonio were nine points ahead after the first quarter, yet New York led 56-52 at half-time and stretched the gap to nine after three periods. The Knicks moved 14 clear with 6:07 remaining, but the Spurs answered with a 14-0 burst to level the score with 2:37 left.

The final minute delivered the decisive moments. San Antonio moved in front by two when Victor Wembanyama converted a three-point play. Jalen Brunson replied with a jumper, and the teams stayed tied until Brunson stole Wembanyama’s pass and drew a foul with 9.5 seconds left. Brunson hit one of two free throws for a 105-104 lead, and Wembanyama then missed a potential game-winning jumper.

New York’s victory placed the team in rare company. The Knicks became only the third side to capture the first two games of an NBA Finals series on the road, joining the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets, and both of those teams later secured the title. Game 3 of this Knicks–Spurs series is scheduled for Monday in New York.

Several Knicks players contributed across the box score. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Brunson added 20 points along with six assists, five rebounds and five steals. Mikal Bridges matched Brunson’s scoring with 20 points and also supplied six rebounds and six assists, giving New York balanced production in the starting lineup.

San Antonio stayed close thanks to Wembanyama’s performance. Wembanyama led all scorers with 29 points, added nine rebounds and blocked four shots. DeAaron Fox supported that effort with 20 points and five assists in the Spurs backcourt, helping keep New York under pressure despite the Knicks’ earlier double-digit lead.

New York’s 13-game play-off surge is now the second-longest single-season streak in league history, behind the 2017 Golden State Warriors, who opened their title run with 15 straight wins. The Spurs have pushed both games to the final possessions, yet the Knicks control the series as it shifts to Madison Square Garden for Game 3.