Wembanyama's Critical Turnover and Missed Game-Winner! Knicks Extend Winning Streak to 13, Beat Spurs Again for 2-0 Series Lead

On June 6 Beijing time, the NBA Finals continued with the Knicks winning 105-104 on the road against the Spurs, improving to 2-0 in the series and notching their 13th consecutive playoff win. Brunson was off his game (7-for-25 for 20 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists), but Towns contributed 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Bridges added 20 points. New York led by 4 at halftime and by as many as 14 in the fourth quarter. Although San Antonio managed to tie the game at one point, the Knicks held on for the victory. Victor Wembanyama recorded 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks, but committed a crucial turnover in the final moments and missed a game-tying jump shot.

Statistics

Knicks: Towns 21 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists; Bridges 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists; Brunson 20 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals; Anunoby 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Shamet 13 points; Robinson 7 points, 3 rebounds; McBride 5 points; Hart 0 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists

Spurs: Wembanyama 29 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 blocks; Fox 20 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists; Harper 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; Castle 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists; Vassell 14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists; Champagnie 8 points, 4 rebounds; Johnson 3 points, 4 rebounds

Player of the Game

Despite Brunson's off shooting night, Towns and Bridges rose to the occasion, leading New York to another victory.

Game Recap

First quarter: Vassell hit a three-pointer, Brunson scored the Knicks' first 5 points, and Champagnie answered with 5 straight points. Castle scored inside, and Champagnie and Anunoby traded threes. Wembanyama threw down a one-handed dunk, Brunson drained a three, and Harper scored consecutive buckets, giving San Antonio a 7-point lead. Towns scored 5 in a row, Fox and Vassell added bank shots. The Knicks employed a "hack-a-Robinson" strategy, with Robinson making 3 of 6 free throws. Fox scored 7 straight, pushing the Spurs' lead to 10. Shamet scored on a fast break, and Wembanyama drove for a bucket. After the first quarter, San Antonio led 34-25.

Second quarter: Castle hit a three, Towns dunked over Wembanyama and scored 9 consecutive points, looking red-hot. Fox converted a three-point play, Alvarado made two free throws, and Bridges hit a three, cutting the Knicks' deficit to 3. Hart tripped Vassell and was called for a Flagrant 1 foul; Robinson shoved Wembanyama and received a technical. Bridges hit another three, Shamet scored on a layup, and the Knicks took a 1-point lead. Vassell converted a crucial 3+1 play, then Brunson and Bridges made layups, and Towns drained a three. At halftime, New York led 56-52.

At halftime, three Knicks had double-digit points: Towns with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists; Bridges with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Brunson with 10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals. Two Spurs reached double figures: Fox with 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists; Vassell with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists. Wembanyama had 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the first half.

Third quarter: Towns scored on a putback, Wembanyama hit a mid-range jumper, and Anunoby, Brunson, and Bridges knocked down consecutive threes, sparking a 10-3 run that extended the Knicks' lead to 10. Wembanyama dunked, Shamet hit a three, and Towns scored on a layup before picking up his fourth foul and being subbed out. Castle and Wembanyama hit threes, and the Spurs answered with an 11-4 run, cutting the deficit to 4. McBride hit a mid-range jumper, Bridges scored in succession, and Robinson finished an alley-oop dunk, stretching the lead back to 11. Wembanyama made a mid-range shot, and after three quarters, New York led 84-75.

Fourth quarter: Shamet and Wembanyama traded threes. Castle dunked, Harper scored on a layup, and the Spurs trailed by 5. Shamet hit another three, Brunson made a floater, McBride nailed a three, and Anunoby threw down a dunk, giving the Knicks a 14-point lead. Harper made two free throws, Fox scored 5 straight, Wembanyama scored inside, Vassell hit a three, and Harper scored on a fast break, completing a remarkable 14-0 run that tied the game. Anunoby sank three free throws, Wembanyama finished an alley-oop dunk, Brunson scored on a layup, and Harper answered with a fast-break bucket. Wembanyama converted a three-point play, and Brunson responded in kind, making it 104-104. Wembanyama then committed a critical turnover, and Brunson stole the ball and drew a foul on Wembanyama, making one of two free throws with 7.5 seconds remaining. Wembanyama's game-tying mid-range jumper missed, and the Spurs lost a heartbreaker.

Starting Lineups

Knicks: Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, Towns

Spurs: Fox, Castle, Vassell, Champagnie, Wembanyama