Knicks Escape With 105-104 Win Over Spurs After Wembanyama's Final-Seconds Turnover, Lead Series 2-0

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday night and lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. With five seconds remaining, Victor Wembanyama passed the ball into teammate Stephon Castle’s back. Jalen Brunson stole possession, and Wembanyama fouled Benson on the ensuing play.

Benson made the free throw to give the Knicks a 105-104 lead. Wembanyama missed a 20-foot shot at the buzzer that would have tied the game. The Knicks have now won 13 consecutive playoff games. They are the third team to win the first two games of an NBA Finals series on the road, following the Chicago Bulls in 1993 and the Houston Rockets in 1995.

New York last reached the Finals in 1999 and last won a championship in 1973. Wembanyama scored 22 points in the second half, including 14 straight in the fourth quarter during a Spurs rally. The 22-year-old addressed the final sequence at a post-game news conference.

"We need to never get too high and never get too low," Wembanyama said. "Personally, I think I could have been better in recovering from the high of the conference finals. I threw that [misplaced pass] away.

I messed up. Am I going to regret it? " Brunson credited his teammates for the win on the road. "I think most knowing we’re on the road, and knowing my team-mates have my back, I think that’s the biggest thing in an environment like this," he said.

Game 3 is scheduled for Monday at Madison Square Garden in New York City. President Donald Trump, who was born in New York City, plans to attend. Officials are preparing a heightened security posture for the game, which carries the highest ticket prices in NBA history, with the cheapest seat listed at $10,622.