Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks held off a late comeback from the San Antonio Spurs to win Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
Victor Wembanyama (29 pts, 9 reb) missed a game-winning jumper at the buzzer, as the New York Knicks fended off a 14-point fourth-quarter rally from the San Antonio Spurs to win Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals 105-104.
We’re headed back to New York with the Knicks two wins away from their first championship since 1973. The City That Never Sleeps will be in a frenzy as the Finals comes to town.
What we know after Game 2 of the NBA Finals:
- Wembanyama threw the ball off Stephon Castle’s back with 9.5 seconds left. It ended up in the hands of Jalen Brunson (20 pts), who hit a game-deciding free throw after colliding with Wemby.
- It was the 13th consecutive Playoff win for the Knicks. Only the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors, who won 15 straight, have had a longer winning streak in the postseason.
JUNE 5 / 11:52 ET
And you say, New York City
KAT & THE KNICKS WIN GAME 2.
13 STRAIGHT POSTSEASON WINS.
2-0 SERIES LEAD IN NBA FINALS. https://t.co/LDbSKsMxId pic.twitter.com/eXBB9NpODY— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
JUNE 5 / 11:40 ET
Postgame Presser: Knicks-Spurs
LIVE: Knicks/Spurs NBA Finals Game 2 Postgame Presser https://t.co/b1aVkIQkHe
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
JUNE 5 / 11:25 ET
Knicks win
Victor Wembanyama (29 pts, 9 reb) had a shot at the buzzer, but it was too strong, and the Knicks hold on to take a 2–0 lead in the 2026 NBA Finals.
It’s the 13th straight win for the Knicks in these Playoffs. They led by as many as 14 here in the fourth, but the Spurs couldn’t quite get over the top to take it.
Wembanyama turned the ball over with 9.5 seconds to go, throwing it off Stephon Castle’s back as he turned to run up the floor. It fell into Jalen Brunson’s hands; Wembanyama crashed into him, sending the Knicks’ captain to the line for game-deciding free-throws, which he hit one of two.
On the next possession, Wemby squared up for a 20-foot jumper over Mitchell Robinson, but couldn’t convert.
“A great player got a great shot. It just didn’t go in… I take it as a sign my Mom is here with me,” said Karl-Anthony Towns (21 pts, 13 reb, 4 ast). “The reason we won this game is we gave ourselves a lead… the Spurs fought, they got themselves back in the game, gave themselves a chance to win. The grit, the resiliency — New York City showed up.”
De’Aaron Fox (20 pts on 8-for-12 shooting) and Dylan Harper (15 pts) showed up, but they were countered by Jalen Brunson (20 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 5 stl) and Mikal Bridges (20 pts, 4 3PM).
This was a physical, fiery battle. The Spurs were near their best, but the Knicks had the answer. They’re headed back to New York, two wins away from the championship.
“An NBA Finals classic,” said Mike Breen.
JUNE 5 / 11:18 ET
Anyone’s game
Dylan Harper pushed the ball on the break, dropping it off to Victor Wembanyama (28 pts, 21 in the second half) who surged into the lane for the and-one finish, giving the Spurs their first lead of the half at 104-102.
But Jalen Brunson had the answer, finding the touch from 13 feet to tie the game at 104 with 39 seconds left.
BRUNSON TIES THE GAME!
SPURS 104
KNICKS 10439.3 TO PLAY IN GAME 2 🍿 pic.twitter.com/WyFzMyzmRV
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
You can’t ask for much more than tonight’s Game 2.
JUNE 5 / 11:15 ET
All on the line
The intensity is at a fever pitch in the Frost Bank Center. Get to ABC to catch the finish of this tremendous contest.
De’Aaron Fox is banged up, but still fighting; Julian Champagnie is trying to hold Karl-Anthony Towns off the glass. Dylan Harper is crashing to the rim.
102-101 Knicks with 1:25 to go.
JUNE 5 / 11:09 ET
The spirit of San Antonio
The Spurs just tied the game at 97 on a drive by Dylan Harper (13 pts). They’re flying around defensively, harassing the Knicks, as the crowd roars and Mike Breen is in full throat.
Victor Wembanyama rallied the squad in the huddle with just over five minutes remaining, and they’ve responded with a burst of heart and hustle, rushing back into the game with a 14-0 run.
“Bedlam here at the Frost Bank Center!” Breen said.
We’ve got 2:37 to go in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
JUNE 5 / 11:04 ET
Fox keeps the Spurs alive
De’Aaron Fox (18 pts) shook Jalen Brunson with the stepback, then drilled a 3-pointer to cut the Knicks’ lead to 97-88 with 5:27 to go in the fourth quarter.
The 2023 Kia Clutch Player of the Year has been big, responding to his 3-for-13 performance in Game 1 with 8-for-12 shooting tonight. He’s going toe-to-toe with Jalen Brunson, who has 15 points on 18 shots.
JUNE 5 / 10:56 ET
Dueling in the fourth
Both these teams want it.
Off an outlet pass from OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson just went through Julian Champagnie at the rim, then floated the ball over the desperate leap of Devin Vassell.
Then, Miles McBride stuck a 3-pointer, pushing the Knicks’ lead to 12.
95-83 Knicks with 6:45 to go in the contest. Can San Antonio respond?
JUNE 5 / 10:48 ET
‘We are seeing Finals tenacity here in Game 2’
De’Aaron Fox just went jaw-to-jaw with Jalen Brunson, before Dylan Harper slashed to the rim for a layup in transition, cutting the Knicks’ lead to 87-82.
It’s a 7-0 run for the Spurs.
The game’s gotten genuinely physical out there. These players are putting it on the line tonight.
JUNE 5 / 10:39 ET
Knicks up 84-75 after three
Mikal Bridges (20 pts on 8-for-9 shooting, 6 reb, 5 ast, 4 3PM) is in full command of his powers tonight. He scored four straight points for the Knicks, then tossed an on-point lob to Mitchell Robinson for the alley-oop.
BRIDGES TO ROBINSON 💥
Knicks lead by 9 heading into Q4 of Game 2! pic.twitter.com/osLTwy1mxN
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
Victor Wembanyama (19 pts, 12 in the quarter) responded with a jumper, but the Spurs need to pull something out of the bag here in the fourth quarter.
“We’ve got to fight. We’re too passive,” said Mitch Johnson. “We’ve just got to walk the game down.”
JUNE 5 / 10:31 ET
‘This third quarter, a bunch of haymakers’
Victor Wembanyama (17 pts, 10 in the quarter) drilled a 3-pointer over OG Anunoby. Anunoby responded by shrugging off two defenders and finishing a layup; Stephon Castle saw and raised him with a sweet hesitation step, shaking Jalen Brunson for a highlight-reel finish.
These teams are putting their hearts into it tonight.
Wemby knocks down the 3 👽
He’s got 17 PTS (10 in Q3) as the Spurs have cut the deficit to 4 in Game 2! pic.twitter.com/Qnu6bFnRmJ
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
“Look at that hesi!’”
Castle with the smooth move and finish in Game 2 👏 pic.twitter.com/vm1XCBrOEy
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
76-72 Knicks with 3:19 to go in the third quarter.
JUNE 5 / 10:27 ET
Spurs need every basket right now
The series could be hanging in the balance, as the Knicks extend their lead to 72-62 with 6:17 to go in the third quarter.
De’Aaron Fox (15 pts) converted an and-one layup, prompting a fist-pump from Victor Wembanyama. Wemby followed it up by converting a dunk, putting in a layup and drawing a foul over Karl-Anthony Towns.
But the Knicks have had a response for everything since the first quarter ended. Mikal Bridges (14 pts) knocked down another 3-pointer, while Towns (21 pts) powered to the rim through a game Stephon Castle.
The experience factor is weighing heavy right now. It’s early, but the Spurs are facing a tough test here tonight.
JUNE 5 / 10:19 ET
Brunson sends it to a break
Jalen Brunson (13 pts) just pulled up for a 3-pointer over Victor Wembanyama, extending the Knicks’ lead to double-digits and forcing a Spurs timeout.
This New York team is looking very strong right now. Destiny may be in their hands.
64-54 Knicks with 9:20 to go in the quarter.
JUNE 5 / 10:16 ET
OG’s on it
OG swishes the corner 3 🎯
Knicks lead by 10 in Q3 of Game 2! pic.twitter.com/buli5q2IaQ
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
OG Anunoby (10 pts, 3 reb) knocks down a 3-pointer, then swats Devin Vassell on the other end. On the next defensive possession, Josh Hart rejected Stephon Castle. Two talented wings in their primes making plays.
“The Knicks defense has come out with force here to start the third,” said Mike Breen.
61-54 Knicks with 9:33 to go in the quarter.
JUNE 5 / 9:57 ET
Knicks up 56-52 at the half
Mikal Bridges (11 pts, all in the second) slipped to the basket for a slick layup off a dime from Karl-Anthony Towns (17 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast) and shut down De’Aaron Fox on consecutive drives as the half wound down, finishing off a 16-point swing that left the Knicks in the lead at the break.
The Spurs have come out with energy, particularly Devin Vassell (11 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast) and Fox (12 pts).
But Victor Wembanyama (7 pts on 2-for-4 shooting, 5 reb) hasn’t made a tremendous impact, and they’re just 6-for-18 (33.3%) from 3-point range, while the Knicks are 8-for-20 (40%).
“Wemby’s in shock right now,” said Charles Barkley, saluting Towns’ effort so far. “He’s so flustered.”
JUNE 5 / 9:50 ET
Trading the lead
Landry Shamet (4 pts) lays it in off a feed from Mikal Bridges (2 ast) to lift the Knicks into the lead, but Devin Vassell (11 pts) responds with a four-point play to take it right back.
San Antonio’s down to 43.6% shooting, while New York’s at 42.1%.
Spurs 52-51 with 2:07 to go in the half.
JUNE 5 / 9:45 ET
‘We are seeing some tough, physical defense here in the first half’
It’s been tough all night out there — bodies hitting the floor, pressure defense, both teams talking.
Feels like the NBA Finals.
Mikal Bridges (9 pts) hits another 3-pointer, making his presence felt in this quarter.
48-47 Spurs with 4:00 to go in the half.
JUNE 5 / 9:39 ET
Bridges is a factor
Another pull-up 3-pointer for Mikal Bridges (6 pts) — he looks in rhythm tonight.
Josh Hart was just assessed a flagrant foul after tripping Devin Vassell (7 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast), who pressured him just over half court, then knocked the ball away.
The pressure at the timeline is a consistent tactic from San Antonio tonight, limiting the Knicks’ lesser ball-handlers. They have the length to force the ball into Jalen Brunson’s hands, then force it out of them.
JUNE 5 / 9:32 ET
Knicks keep rallying back
The Spurs pushed the lead back to seven, but Mikal Bridges (3 pts) just hit a fading 3-pointer in the corner off a kickout from Karl-Anthony Towns to shrink their lead to 42-39 with 7:03 to go in the half.
KAT DIME 😲
What a pass from under the basket in Game 2! pic.twitter.com/b5epEnwS4J
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
Jalen Brunson is returning to the floor, soon after Stephon Castle picked up his third foul, potentially consigning him to the bench for the remainder of the quarter.
De’Aaron Fox (12 pts) has had it flowing, but missed an open stepback in the lane after hesitating slightly. These are valuable minutes for San Antonio — Fox and Dylan Harper will have to run the show.
JUNE 5 / 9:26 ET
Knicks on a 7-0 run
Karl-Anthony Towns (12 pts, 4 reb) has begun to exert his influence, knocking down a 3-pointer over Victor Wembanyama, timing up The Alien to contest one, and slashing past him for a dunk during this stretch.
The Spurs are trying to get to the rim, but have been met with some stalwart defense from the Knicks. Landry Shamet went up and took a body-to-body blow from the attacking Stephon Castle, sending them both crashing to the floor.
37-32 Spurs with 9:35 to go in the second.
JUNE 5 / 9:17 ET
Spurs up 34-25 after one
San Antonio shot 13-for-20 (65%) from the field in the first quarter, rollicking to an early lead over New York in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
De’Aaron Fox (9 pts) and Julian Champagnie (8 pts) lead the Spurs, who have an 18-8 lead in points in the paint, in scoring.
Jalen Brunson (8 pts) is the top man for the Knicks, who were held to 38.1% shooting. OG Anunoby (5 pts) was a team-low -11 in the first quarter, as the Spurs moved the ball and attacked the rim.
“We’ve just got to weather the storm. They do play off a lot of energy, so hopefully we get it done,” said Mike Brown. “We still have to play faster.”
JUNE 5 / 9:14 ET
Spurs extend the lead
De’Aaron Fox (9 pts on 4-of-5 shooting) is off to a hot start, already putting in more points than he did in Game 1.
It’s a welcome development for the Spurs, who are up 32-23 with 1:00 to go in the first quarter.
San Antonio’s pressuring the Knicks guards up near halfcourt, forcing the ball out of Jalen Brunson’s hands. Couple that with some intentional fouls of Mitch Robinson, and they’ve controlled the feel of the game early.
JUNE 5 / 9:04 ET
Brunson takes a bump
Luke Kornet just leveled Jalen Brunson (8 pts on 2-for-6 shooting) on a screen above the break. The Knicks’ point guard is physical in his own right — he popped right back up with a smile.
22-18 San Antonio with 3:25 to go in the first.
JUNE 5 / 8:52 ET
Another flash from Vassell
The lanky wing just swatted Jalen Brunson at the rim — a second moment of success for one of the longest-tenured Spurs.
San Antonio’s come out with some energy, but New York is doggedly sticking around. We’ll see if the youthful Spurs can maintain this intensity.
“There’s a frenetic energy right now about the Spurs,” said Tim Legler. “They’re putting body-on-body.”
Keldon Johnson, the longest-tenured Spur, just subbed in after only playing eight minutes in Game 1.
17-13 Spurs with 5:46 to go in the first quarter, and some classic Lyle Lovett takes us to break — “that’s right, you’re not from Texas.”
JUNE 5 / 8:46 ET
Spurs open with brilliant ball movement
A moment of the beautiful game from the Spurs to open Game 2 — Stephon Castle’s one-motion kickout pass from under the rim to Devin Vassell was brilliant, assisting his 3-pointer.
It’s meaningful that Vassell opened the game with a three — he only had one in Game 1.
Jalen Brunson immediately countered with a stepback 20-foot jump shot. He’s an incredible shotmaker when he has it flowing.
5-all with 10:10 to go in the first in San Antonio.
JUNE 5 / 8:20 ET
Wemby from way deep
WHAT A SHOT AHEAD OF GAME 2 🤯
WEMBY FROM 3/4 COURT 👽 https://t.co/FFfohgBNyP pic.twitter.com/Swew72sjMN
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
JUNE 5 / 7:30 ET
Starting Lineup: Knicks-Spurs, Game 2
Josh Hart and the Knicks are looking to take a 2-0 lead in Game 2 of the NBA Finals before the series shifts back to New York.
New York:
- PG Jalen Brunson
- The Knicks’ captain has scored 144 clutch points in the Playoffs since 2023. No one else has more than 84. He put the Spurs away in Game 1 with a variety of floaters and leaners in a signature performance, adding to his clutch bonafides.
- One note: watch his 3-point shot. He was 2-for-9 in Game 1.
- SG Josh Hart
- Hart joined Larry Bird (1986) as the only players since 1973-74 with at least 15 reb, 6 ast and 4 stl in a Finals game with his Game 1 performance, and was the first player in that time period to lead both teams outright in rebounds, assists and steals in a single Finals game. He was also a game-high +22 for the Knicks.
- SF Mikal Bridges
- Bridges only took six shots in Game 1, but his defensive energy and off-ball movement are always valuable. He held Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle to 2-for-7 shooting combined in Game 1.
- PF OG Anunoby
- Anunoby is as solid a role player as you’ll find in the NBA. He knows his job to the letter, can step up his scoring and is a nightmare defensive matchup for much of the league. In this series, though, we’ll see if the Spurs can test his quickness.
- C Karl-Anthony Towns
- KAT had a great game (18 pts, 12 reb, 4 ast) on the biggest stage of his career in Game 1. His defensive effort has improved this season, especially in the postseason, and the Knicks are good at funneling ball-handlers into his orbit.
San Antonio:
- PG De’Aaron Fox
- Fox scored 7 points on 3-for-13 shooting in Game 1. The Spurs don’t really need him to take that many shots, given the scoring prowess of Dylan Harper. If he can pick his spots and distribute more, it could open things up for his teammates.
- SG Stephon Castle
- Castle noted that he switched off Jalen Brunson in the clutch in Game 1, following the Spurs’ traditional defensive scheme. We’ll see if Coach Mitch Johnson has him follow Brunson more — he’s clearly interested in the challenge.
- SF Devin Vassell
- Vassell disappeared somewhat in Game 1, coming up a team-low -13. His shooting runs hot-and-cold, and the Knicks wings are talented enough to consistently give him trouble.
- PF Julian Champagnie
- The Brooklyn native talked some trash with Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet in Game 1, knocking down five 3-pointers. But those all came in the first half, as the Spurs only made two as a team in the second stanza.
- C Victor Wembanyama
- The Alien looked tired in Game 1. Can he handle the strength of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson in this series? Few teams have such established centers to challenge him, and he’s never played this deep into the season.
JUNE 5 / 7:03 ET
Friday’s injury report
Mitchell Robinson is probable for the Knicks with a fractured fifth metacarpal.
JUNE 5 / 6:08 ET
Finals MVP Ladder
NBA.com’s Shaun Powell picked five players that could be the favorites to hoist the Bill Russell Trophy as the 2026 NBA Finals MVP.
JUNE 5 / 5:05 ET
Wemby knows he must be better
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are looking to take Game 2 at home against the New York Knicks as the 2026 NBA Finals continue.
To forge a series tie in the NBA Finals, Victor Wembanyama says the Spurs “need to play our game”, writes NBA.com’s Jeff Zillgitt.
