SAN ANTONIO — The New York Knicks escaped San Antonio with a 105-104 victory over the Spurs on Friday, June 6, 2026 (Saturday, June 7, Philippine Time), taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the 2026 NBA Finals and moving within two wins of the franchise's first championship in 53 years.
The game's final outcome hinged on a missed 20-foot jump shot by San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama in the closing seconds, ending the Spurs' dramatic fourth-quarter comeback attempt and preserving New York's second consecutive Finals victory at the AT&T Center.
Wembanyama's Costly Turnover Sets Up the Decisive Moment
With the Spurs trailing by one and time running out, Wembanyama attempted a pass that deflected off the back of teammate Stephon Castle and was intercepted by Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. Brunson converted one of two free throws with 9.5 seconds remaining to extend New York's lead to 105-104.
Given a final chance to win the game, Wembanyama received the ball and launched an open 20-foot jumper that failed to connect as the buzzer sounded, ending the contest and sending the Knicks to a 2-0 series advantage. Wembanyama finished the night with 29 points and 9 rebounds despite the gut-wrenching finish.
The sequence was among the most dramatic in recent NBA Finals history, with the Spurs appearing to have all the momentum in the game's final minutes before the pivotal turnover changed the outcome.
San Antonio's 14-0 Fourth-Quarter Run Almost Completes the Comeback
The Spurs had spent much of the game chasing the Knicks after surrendering a 14-point second-half deficit, but a stunning 14-0 run in the fourth quarter temporarily erased that margin entirely. San Antonio strung together six consecutive made field goals during the stretch, igniting the home crowd at the AT&T Center and setting the stage for the frantic final minutes.
The run was fueled in part by De'Aaron Fox, who contributed 18 points on the night, along with rookie Dylan Harper, who added 13 points in a notable postseason performance. Wembanyama's scoring throughout the second half kept the Spurs within striking distance before his critical turnover in the final seconds.
Despite the valiant effort, San Antonio's rally ultimately fell short, with the Spurs now facing a steep 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series. No team in NBA history has come back from an 0-3 deficit to win a Finals series, making the next two games in New York critically important for San Antonio.
Towns and Brunson Lead Knicks Offense Through Adversity
Karl-Anthony Towns paced the Knicks with a team-high 21 points, continuing his strong postseason run as one of New York's primary offensive weapons. Brunson, the Knicks' primary playmaker and a central figure in their playoff run, contributed 20 points and delivered the clutch free throw that proved decisive.
New York's ability to maintain its composure through San Antonio's late rally was seen as a testament to the team's postseason experience. The Knicks have now won 13 consecutive playoff games, a run that includes eight straight road victories — an extraordinary mark of consistency and resilience in a grueling postseason bracket.
New York reached the 2026 NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, advancing after a dominant sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Their current 13-game winning streak is one of the most impressive stretches in recent NBA postseason history.
Game 2 Draws Massive Viewership, Up 90 Percent From Last Year
Beyond the court, the series is generating enormous commercial and media interest. Game 2 on ABC drew an average of 16.93 million viewers, representing a 90-percent increase compared to last year's Game 1 audience figures, according to available broadcast data.
The surge in viewership reflects the broad national appeal of the Knicks' first Finals appearance in over two decades, combined with the storyline of Wembanyama and the Spurs, who have positioned themselves as one of the league's ascending young franchises. The matchup between the marquee New York market and the Wembanyama phenomenon has captured widespread attention across the United States.
The ratings milestone also signals strong commercial momentum for the NBA Finals as a broadcast property, coming at a time when sports viewership across major American networks has been under close scrutiny.
Series Shifts to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Monday
The 2026 NBA Finals now moves to New York City, with Game 3 scheduled for Monday, June 8, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks will play before their home crowd for the first time in the series, seeking to extend their winning streak and push the Spurs to the brink of elimination.
San Antonio, meanwhile, will need to find a way to contain New York's balanced offensive attack while maximizing Wembanyama's ability to impose his will on both ends of the floor. The 22-year-old Frenchman remains one of the most dominant young players in the league, and the Spurs will need a strong individual performance from him — combined with better team execution down the stretch — if they are to keep their championship hopes alive.
A Knicks victory in Game 3 would put San Antonio in a near-impossible 0-3 hole from which no NBA Finals team has ever recovered, while a Spurs win would reopen the series and restore some momentum for the home team ahead of a potential Game 4 in New York.
The 2026 NBA Finals continues to be one of the most compelling championship matchups in recent memory, combining the weight of New York's 53-year title drought against the rise of Wembanyama and a young Spurs core built around speed, skill, and raw potential. With the series now moving to the nation's most storied arena, the stakes — and the spotlight — will only grow larger.
Photo credit: Photo from NBA.com