The Knicks used an incredible rally to take Game 1 on Wednesday Night. The New York Knicks are now just two wins away from their first NBA championship since 1973 after escaping San Antonio with a dramatic 105-104 victory over the Spurs in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals. The win gives New York a commanding 2-0 series lead as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden.
For the second straight game, the Knicks showed the poise and toughness that have defined their remarkable postseason run. Despite seeing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead disappear, New York made the critical plays when it mattered most.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 21 points and 13 rebounds, continuing his outstanding Finals performance. Mikal Bridges added 20 points, while Jalen Brunson scored 20 of his own despite struggling for much of the night. As he has done throughout the playoffs, Brunson delivered in the biggest moments, making the go-ahead free throw with just 9.5 seconds remaining.
San Antonio appeared ready to even the series after erasing New York’s double-digit lead with a furious 14-0 run late in the fourth quarter. Victor Wembanyama was sensational for much of the night, finishing with 29 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. However, a costly late turnover and a missed jumper at the buzzer ultimately sealed the Spurs’ fate.
What makes this Knicks team so dangerous is its balance. While Brunson remains the unquestioned leader, New York continues to get contributions from every corner of its roster. Towns have dominated the paint, Bridges has provided elite two-way play, and OG Anunoby and Josh Hart continue to make winning plays that don’t always show up in the box score.
The victory also extended the Knicks’ playoff winning streak to 13 games, tying one of the longest postseason runs in NBA history. More importantly, they have now stolen both games on the road and return home with all the momentum.
History is firmly on New York’s side. Teams that take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals have overwhelmingly gone on to win the championship, and the Spurs now face the daunting challenge of winning at Madison Square Garden to get back into the series.
Game 3 will be played Monday night in New York, where Knicks fans will witness the franchise’s first NBA Finals home game since 1999. After decades of heartbreak and near misses, the dream of bringing a championship back to New York is closer than ever. It feels like my prediction for this NBA Finals will be completely wrong.
