Knicks edge Spurs in Game 2 thriller, move two wins from title

The Knicks didn’t have their best night. They still found a way to win.

Jalen Brunson sank a go-ahead free throw with 9.5 seconds remaining, and Victor Wembanyama’s potential game-winner bounced away as New York escaped with a 105-104 road victory over the Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday night.

The win gives the Knicks a 2-0 series lead as the Finals shift to Madison Square Garden.

Karl-Anthony Towns continued his outstanding series with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Brunson and Mikal Bridges added 20 points apiece for New York.

The Knicks have now won 13 straight playoff games and are two victories away from capturing their first NBA championship since 1973.

Unlike Game 1, however, this one nearly slipped away.

San Antonio trailed by 12 midway through the fourth quarter before mounting a furious comeback. Wembanyama completed a three-point play with 57 seconds left to give the Spurs a 104-102 lead, their first advantage since the third quarter.

Brunson answered on New York’s next possession, tying the game despite enduring a difficult shooting night. Moments later, the Spurs appeared poised to get the final shot.

Instead, Wembanyama committed a costly turnover, giving the Knicks one more opportunity.

Brunson drew a foul and calmly knocked down the free throw that proved to be the difference.

San Antonio still had one final chance.

After a timeout, De’Aaron Fox found Wembanyama for a mid-range jumper that would have given the Spurs the victory. The shot rattled off the rim as time expired, sending the Knicks into celebration mode.

Wembanyama finished with 29 points after a quiet first half, while Fox added 20 for San Antonio.

Now the series heads to New York, where anticipation is already reaching a fever pitch.

The Knicks haven’t been this close to a championship in more than five decades.

And after taking the first two games on the road, they suddenly find themselves in complete control of the NBA Finals.