With Brunson ice-cold (7/25 FG), New York needed Karl-Anthony Towns (21 pts, 13 reb, 81.5% TS) and Mikal Bridges (20 pts, 6 ast, 76.9% TS) to carry the load. Wembanyama’s 29-point masterpiece wasn’t enough as the Knicks steal Game 2 on the road and lead the Finals 2–0.
How the game unfolded
San Antonio exploded out of the gate — a 34–25 first quarter powered by Wembanyama’s early aggression — but the Knicks took over in the second, outscoring the Spurs 31–18 to carry a 56–52 halftime lead. New York extended the advantage in the third (28–23), then held on through a frantic Spurs fourth-quarter comeback (29–21, SAS) that fell just one point short.
The story of the game was Karl-Anthony Towns. With Brunson shooting a glacial 7/25 (36.8% TS), KAT was New York’s engine — 21 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and a 81.5% true shooting mark on 8/12 from the floor including 3/5 from three. He outplayed Wembanyama on both ends, posting a team-best +11 in plus/minus. Mikal Bridges was the other crucial piece: 20 points, 6 assists, and 66.7% from three (4/6) on a night when New York desperately needed someone else to step up.
Wembanyama was spectacular — 29 points, 4 blocks, 52.4% shooting — but four turnovers and the Spurs’ inability to generate consistent offense from anyone else proved fatal. De’Aaron Fox bounced back from Game 1 (20 pts, 8/12 FG, 77.6% TS), but the Spurs couldn’t sustain their first-quarter pace and the fourth-quarter rally came too late.
Josh Hart fouled out in 30 minutes and scored zero points — but his presence on the floor continued to shape the game defensively. Brunson saved face with 5 steals and 6 assists despite the shooting woes. New York’s 29 assists to San Antonio’s 22 told the story of which team was moving the ball with purpose.
NBA Finals 2026 — Series standings
