NEW YORK — For many Knicks fans who weren’t alive the last time New York won a championship in 1973, the prospect of an NBA title feels unprecedented.
Yet the challenge facing the San Antonio Spurs — overturning a 0‑2 deficit after dropping the first two games at home — has never been accomplished in NBA history.
The Knicks hope to edge nearer to a long‑awaited championship, while the Spurs look to swing the series back in their favor when New York hosts San Antonio for Game 3 on Monday.
The Knicks seized a 2‑0 series lead on Friday night. San Antonio erased a 14‑point fourth‑quarter deficit, only to see Victor Wembanyama’s jumper rim out at the buzzer, preserving a 105‑104 New York victory.
The victory marked New York’s 13th consecutive win, built on their trademark defense and a resilience not required since May 19, when they erased a 22‑point fourth‑quarter gap to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115‑104 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
“It’s incredible as a coach to witness the mental toughness of this squad, regardless of the circumstances,” said Knicks head coach Mike Brown. “Watching them keep battling, regardless of the score or time left, is truly fantastic.”
Securing victories in Games 3 and 4 would not only tie the NBA’s longest postseason winning streak — set by the 2017 Golden State Warriors with 15 straight wins — but also give the Knicks a chance to clinch their long‑awaited championship in New York, a city that has been buzzing with anticipation.
“The NBA is demanding,” Brown noted. “Opportunities to work with a group like this don’t come around often, and it’s an absolute joy to be part of it.”
Game 3 will mark New York’s first NBA Finals appearance since June 25, 1999, when the Spurs captured the title with a 78‑77 victory in Game 5.
“Fans have earned the right to watch Finals basketball at Madison Square Garden,” said Knicks center Karl‑Anthony Towns, who grew up in New Jersey. “It’s up to us to deliver a memorable performance, give them reasons to cheer, raise their voices, and restore their belief.”
To claim their first championship since 2014, the Spurs must forge a historic moment of their own.
San Antonio, which also relinquished a double‑digit lead in a 105‑95 Game 1 loss on Wednesday, is only the third team to lose the first two Finals games at home; the 1993 Phoenix Suns fell to the Chicago Bulls in six games, and the 1995 Orlando Magic were swept by the Houston Rockets.
“We need to make better use of our efforts,” said Wembanyama. “It felt like we put in a lot of work, yet we made too many mistakes. We were relentless, but we ended up wasting that effort.”
The Knicks have made life difficult for Wembanyama — and, consequently, for the Spurs, who have managed just 199 points over the first two games, their lowest two‑game total in this postseason.
Through the first two Finals games, Wembanyama averages 27.5 points on 21 field‑goal attempts per game, shooting 40.5 percent. Across his initial 17 playoff outings, he posted 23.2 points per game on 51 percent shooting while taking just 15.2 shots per night.
Nevertheless, his shot volume in the Finals has been inconsistent; he took eight of his 21 attempts in the first half of Game 1, but only four in the first half of Friday’s game.
“I have to make sure the ball finds him in the right situations,” said Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson. “There are moments when he’s open on rolls or around the paint, and his teammates need to get him the ball.”
“But taking only four shots in a half on this stage is simply unacceptable.”
–Jerry Beach, Field Level Media
Also Read
- Fans react as Matt Henry sizzles in New Zealand’s commanding win over England in the 2nd Test
- Spain United with Saudi Arabia in Exclusive Live Breakdown: Key Players and Match Developments
- Has Bellingham’s brilliance ended the No 10 debate for England?
- Key Canadiens Set to Impact 2026-27 Campaign After Challenging Seasons
