New York Survives Nerve-Racking Finish To Take 2-0 Lead Over Spurs

The New York Knicks increased their postseason win streak to 13 games after a 105-104 victory Friday night. Their win puts them up 2-0 in the NBA Finals.

Victor Wembanyama had a chance to make the series even, but missed the game-winner from 20 feet out to preserve the Knicks’ win. Before this, Jalen Brunson forced a key turnover on Wembanyama after pouncing on a loose ball from an attempted pass to Stephon Castle. Brunson then drew a foul and sank a three-pointer. Brunson finished Game 2 with 20 points, five rebounds and six assists.

The Spurs started out strong in the first quarter after shooting 65% from the floor and made New York gather fouls early on. Josh Hart had two fouls with over five minutes left in the first; Hart was scoreless in 18 minutes played, despite grabbing six rebounds and recording six assists.

With San Antonio leading 34-25 after the first, New York knew that things needed to change quickly. Momentum shifted in their favor after Karl-Anthony Towns made a baseline dunk on Wembanyama to cut the deficit to five. Mikal Bridges sank a corner three soon after to reduce San Antonio’s lead to three points.

Towns scored 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds Friday night.

The Spurs didn’t let up easily, forcing a technical on Mitchell Robinson to preserve their slim advantage. However, that didn’t stop the Knicks from rallying as Bridges responded with a key three-pointer and a transition layup from Landry Shamet. These key shots put the Knicks up 56-52 at the half.

The Knicks cruised to an 11-point lead in the third, but trouble was looming. Towns earned his fourth foul halfway through the quarter, while Brunson went to the bench three minutes later. New York fielded a lineup containing Bridges, Robinson, Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Deuce McBride.

Bridges shot 4-for-4 with nine points in the third and kept possessions in check.

The Spurs were rolling after a 14-0 run that tied the game at 97 with under three minutes left in regulation. Dylan Harper’s layup cut the lead to one; Wembanyama made a layup inside through traffic and made a free throw to put the Spurs ahead 104-102. Brunson responded with a quick shot to tie the score with 39 seconds left, followed by OG Anunoby’s huge defensive rebound to stop San Antonio.

The Knicks and Spurs will play at Madison Square Garden on Monday night for Game 3. The Knicks are two wins away from earning their first championship since 1973.

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Article by Christian Bongiorno