Knicks take commanding lead in NBA Finals with narrow Game 2 victory

The New York Knicks edged the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in a tightly contested Game 2 of the NBA Finals, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The victory marks the Knicks' 13th consecutive win in the playoffs, placing them just two victories away from their first championship since 1973.

Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 29 points but fell short in the final moments, missing a jumper that would have secured the win. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed significantly for the Knicks with 21 points and 13 rebounds, despite foul trouble limiting his minutes in the second half. While Jalen Brunson struggled offensively, scoring only 20 points on 7-of-25 shooting, Mikal Bridges stepped up with a solid performance of 20 points, helping to maintain the Knicks' lead.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown acknowledged his team's reliance on their talented roster, stating, "I’m not that smart. You got to have good players that carry you." The win comes with added historical context, as teams leading 2-0 in the Finals have historically gone on to win 32 out of 37 times. The Knicks will host Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, which promises to be a significant event as the venue has not seen a Finals game since 1999.

The Spurs, who initially led by as many as 12 points, struggled to capitalize on chances to pull ahead, ultimately succumbing to mistakes in the final minutes. With Wembanyama having a crucial turnover and failing to convert a game-winning shot, San Antonio must regroup for Game 3, where they face the daunting challenge of overcoming a historical trend of teams that lose their first two home games in the Finals, which have never come back to win in that scenario.