By Matija Šerić
What the biggest Knicks fans had been hoping for has happened: New York won a dramatic second game of the NBA Finals against San Antonio 105:104 and took a 2–0 lead in the series. Even the biggest skeptics and Knicks haters can now admit that the team from the Big Apple is very close to winning the NBA championship, having taken the first two road games. That is a very rare achievement. The Chicago Bulls did the same in 1993, and the Houston Rockets in 1995, and both went on to win the title. A precise analysis of the game shows that experience decided the winner, although the Spurs could realistically have won.
Strong start from the Spurs
In the first quarter, the home team was brilliant. Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, De’Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper signaled they had come out for victory at all costs. The game was dynamic, with plenty of outside shooting and layups. By the end of the first period, they had built a 34:25 lead. However, even then it was clear that Wemby and the Spurs were avoiding play in the paint, clearly not wanting to deal with New York’s excellent big men Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby.
Towns and company take control in the second quarter
This was Towns’ game, where he showed his best version. From the very beginning, he dominated the paint, with his rebounds and assists giving a new dimension to the Knicks’ game. It was a true team effort. Jalen Brunson, who scored 30 points in the previous game, was not left alone to create everything; Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges also shined on both offense and defense, alongside the aforementioned frontcourt duo. The visitors stabilized the game in the second quarter and took control. At halftime, they led 56:52.
Knicks go up by +14
In the third quarter, New York continued to dominate. The defense was fantastic, with blocks and steals from Anunoby, Hart, Brunson… Bridges punished the home team with three-pointers, and center Mitchell Robinson was excellent off the bench. At the start of the fourth quarter, the Knicks had a 12-point lead, and six minutes before the end even a 14-point advantage. Some would say: “That’s it.”
Spurs’ comeback
However, then De’Aaron Fox stepped up after a poor Game 1 performance. He hit three-pointers and layups, Wembanyama stacked blocks on defense and scored from distance on offense, and Castle joined in. Three minutes before the end, the game was tied at 97:97. The Spurs were on a run, but then the drama began.
Hitchcock-style final three minutes
Anunoby converted three free throws to make it 100:97. However, Fox, Harper, and Wemby combined to turn it around to 104:102 with about 40 seconds left. Then experience took over.
First, Brunson hit a shot from the top of the key to tie it at 104:104. On the next possession, Wemby missed a deep two-pointer. With 15 seconds left, Brunson took a shot and missed, Wemby grabbed the rebound, but his pass to Castle was intercepted by Brunson, and the Frenchman committed a foul near the sideline.
Brunson went to the line and made one of two free throws, making it 105:104 for New York. The Knicks had the final possession. Fox passed to Wemby, who took the final shot from deep mid-range, hit the rim, and time expired.
Experience—Brunson’s calm and Wembanyama’s inexperience—decided the game. Two mistakes by the 22-year-old French center cost San Antonio at least overtime. Had he not made the bad pass, the Spurs would have had a chance to tie with 12 seconds left and possibly win. Instead, the Knicks took the victory and a 2–0 lead, bringing them very close to glory. “What a game!” Knicks coach Mike Brown said, unable to hide his excitement.
Knicks lead in most statistical categories
Interestingly, the Spurs shot better from the field (47% to 42%), but in almost every other category the Knicks were dominant. They made more three-pointers (15–11), had two more rebounds (44–42), and committed fewer turnovers (15–16). They led for 50% of the game.
Towns – a puzzle for Spurs defense
Towns was the standout player of the game with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists. He handled situations well both when guarded by smaller players and when matched up with Wembanyama. After two games, the Spurs still have no answer for Towns, whose game is a joy to watch. He is a truly modern center.
Team effort from all Knicks players
Brunson and Bridges scored 20 points each, while Anunoby added 17. Hart, although he did not score, contributed six rebounds, four assists, and one block, which was crucial. The bench was again excellent. Landry Shamet scored 13 points, including three three-pointers, and Mitchell Robinson added seven points and three rebounds. Robinson showed that off the bench he can effectively defend Wembanyama.
Spurs lacked experience and consistency
For the Spurs, Wembanyama of course dominated. He scored 29 points (11/21 shooting), with nine rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and two steals. He also had four turnovers. The problem was that he did not establish himself in the paint. Once again, the Anunoby–Towns duo largely contained him under the basket.
After the game, Castle defended him, saying Wemby has made that final shot a thousand times and would take it every day.
Fox had a strong game with 20 points and five assists, redeeming himself after Game 1. Castle and Vassell scored 14 points each, while rookie Dylan Harper added 15. In the final minutes, Harper made key plays that helped the Spurs’ comeback, showing maturity and confidence for a rookie.
Julian Champagnie had a weaker game, scoring only eight points on 2/6 shooting in 36 minutes. As a shooting guard, he simply needed to contribute more. Keldon Johnson also underperformed after a strong Game 1, scoring just three points on 1/4 shooting despite being named Sixth Man of the Year this NBA season.
Knicks on the brink of historic success
The Knicks recorded their 13th consecutive playoff win and their eighth straight road victory. It could be said their chances of winning the title are around 80%. Based on how they look, the Spurs have no realistic chance. The series could end in four or five games. The Knicks are arguably one of the best playoff teams ever.
No wonder New York City is in full euphoria, as after five decades of waiting, the Knicks are finally bringing the NBA trophy back to the most iconic city in America. According to reports, even Donald Trump might attend Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. Ticket prices are astronomical—around $9,000 even for the worst seats on the secondary market.
The Spurs are not giving up. “We showed tremendous fight, urgency, and competitive spirit. Hopefully we can carry that into the next games and play at the same level,” said Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. “We can’t change the past,” Wembanyama said, “we’re already thinking about Game 3.”
The Spurs’ chances are slim, but they should not be underestimated. However, if the Knicks win the next game in New York and go up 3–0, it will likely be over. The NBA Finals drama is far from finished.
