Jason Burgos
The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs delivered another stellar NBA Finals game on Friday night. However, in Game 2, the deficit roles were reversed, and this time we got an exciting last-second finish.
On Wednesday, the Knicks battled back from being behind by double-digits in the third quarter and scored a 10-point win. But last night, the young Spurs were the ones behind big, this time in the fourth. But they showed impressive heart and guts to actually retake a lead in the final minutes of the game.
However, to the joy of Knicks fans desperate for their first championship in over 50 years, their crew once again showed why they feel like a team of destiny in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, earning a 105-104 win in a very physical and exciting game.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the biggest takeaways from the Knicks going up 2-0 over the Spurs in the NBA Finals.
NY Knicks prove they can win big games without Jalen Brunson at his best
One of the biggest stories from Game 1 was top start Jalen Brunson overcoming a slow start and turning into the fourth-quarter monster he has grown a serious reputation for over the last three years. However, on Friday, another rough shooting night (7-25 from the field) did not include a slew of big moments late in the game.
In Game 2, the New York captain missed quite a few shots in the fourth that helped open the door for the Spurs’ comeback. That usually would have led to a Knicks loss. However, this is not a usual year for the team. They once again showed they are more than just one great player. Battling through adversity after blowing a big lead and showed championship poise to earn another win on the road when their best player had a bad night.
Victory Wembanyama showed the leadership of a 10-year NBA vet in Game 2
Although Victor Wembanyama is only 22 years old, he leads his team like a 10-year NBA veteran. While he seemed discombulated at times in the first half, he got it going in the second on both sides of the floor. However, one of the standout moments in the game and of his impressive early career was chewing his teammates out during a timeout in the fourth quarter.
The instance was caught by ABC’s cameras and came right before the Spurs went on the run that got them the lead back. While he ultimately couldn’t nail the game-winner in the final seconds of regulation, the MVP candidate was so close to willing his team to a massive win on Friday night.
NY Knicks’ depth continues to be a game-changing X-factor
Yes, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are the faces of this Knicks team, and with good reason. However, New York isn’t here without its depth. That came up big again in Game 2 when Brunson was unable to find his Superman cape late.
Towns was once again outstanding (21 points, 13 rebounds, and a +11 when on the floor), but the Knicks overcame a down night from their captain because of fantastic games from Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby on both sides of the floor. Simply put, they don’t win this game without Bridges going off and hitting four of six threes.
But also, their bench deserves a lot of credit for shining when both Towns and Hart got into foul trouble. The Knicks’ depth continues to be, arguably, their biggest weapon.
Landry Shamet continues to be Knicks’ secret playoff weapon
Speaking of the Knicks’ depth, a shout-out needs to go to three-point ace Landry Shamet. In this grand story the team is writing, he won’t get as much ink as Town, Brunson, Anunoby, Hart, Bridges, or even Mitchell Robinson. But there have been so many times during these playoffs when the man who wasn’t even a lock to make this roster in the fall has hit threes to continue runs or maintain leads.
New York’s secret weapon had 13 more points in a game where they really needed it.
Is the Spurs’ inexperience showing?
The Spurs continue to be a team that plays beyond their years. Beyond being very talented, they are gutsy, heady, and smart. You don’t beat a team like the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder without a high basketball IQ. Yet, their inexperience was always a key story heading into the series, and it showed in Game 2.
The Knicks seemed to speed them up more than they wanted to in the first half, and in the second, they looked confused by the Knicks’ defense. But they overcame that. However, in one of the biggest moments of the game, an errant pass from Wembanyama to Stephen Castle was another moment where they lacked focus and calm in key moments.
The Spurs are great, but youth has its pros and cons in games like this.
Physical old-school basketball was back in Game 2 of the NBA Finals
The referees let a lot go on Friday night to the chagrin of both Knicks and Spurs fans. However, because of that fact, it felt like old-school, physical, hard-hitting basketball was back at the highest levels in Game 2. Fouls were hard, and anger was high. But both teams showed professionalism and still delivered amazing action in an old school environment, and NBA fans benefited from it yesterday.
