NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks are no longer simply chasing history, they’re in the middle of making it. Karl-Anthony Towns continued his brilliant Finals performance with 21 points and 13 rebounds, Mikal Bridges scored 20 points, and Mitchell Robinson delivered two game-saving defensive stops as the Knicks escaped with a 105-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday night.
The win gives New York a 2-0 series lead and extends the club’s postseason winning streak to 13 games, the second-longest playoff winning streak in NBA history. The Knicks are now just two victories away from their first NBA championship in 53 years.
The significance of the moment was not lost on head coach Mike Brown.
“You work on connectivity throughout the year for moments like these,” Brown said. “Our guys just kept uplifting one another throughout San Antonio’s runs.”
With Friday night’s Game 2 NBA Finals win over the Spurs, the Knicks were able to secure a 2-0 best of seven series lead before headed back to New York for Games 3 and 4 – Image Credit: NBA
New York spent much of the night answering the challenges San Antonio threw their way. The Spurs came out with a physical approach, trapping Jalen Brunson, employing Hack-a-Mitch tactics against Robinson and turning the game into a grinding half-court battle.
Yet the Knicks never lost control thanks largely to Towns.
The Dominican-American All-Star center was dominant from the opening tip, scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds in the first half while repeatedly forcing Victor Wembanyama away from the basket.
Towns finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four assists while continuing what has been a remarkable Finals run.
“It’s all about the team success,” Towns said. “For us to be up 2-0, it’s a testament to the coaches getting us a great game plan and my teammates executing it.”
Bridges delivered perhaps his finest playoff performance as a Knick. The veteran wing scored 20 points while shooting 8-for-13 from the field and knocked down four three-pointers. During one stretch spanning the second and third quarters, Bridges made eight consecutive shots while carrying the offense.
“What he did for us offensively when we were struggling was huge,” Brown said. “He made big play after big play after big play.”
The Knicks appeared in control entering the fourth quarter with a nine-point advantage, but the Spurs responded with a furious rally. A 14-0 run erased New York’s lead and tied the game at 97 with under three minutes remaining.
Once again, Brunson responded when the Knicks needed him the most. Though he shot just 7-for-25 from the floor, the Knicks captain made a critical jumper late and then came up with one of the biggest plays of the game when he intercepted a loose ball from Wembanyama that was intended for Stephon Castle in the closing seconds.
“I saw he wasn’t looking, so I just tried to go get it,” Brunson said. “I just had to secure the ball.”
The game ultimately came down to Robinson. With Wembanyama attempting to steal Game 2 for San Antonio, Robinson defended the Spurs superstar on consecutive possessions and forced misses both times.
“What I’m proud about more than anything else is Mitch defended him the right way,” Brown said. “Wemby is iconic. If he makes the shot, he makes the shot. You’re not blocking his shot, but you make him work.”
Towns called Robinson irreplaceable, stating, “There’s only one of him. We’re honored and blessed to have him.”
Mitchell Robinson was instrumental for the Knicks down the stretch in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, defending Victor Wembanyama in crunch-time – Image Credit: NBA
The victory places the Knicks in rare company, becoming just the third team in NBA Finals history to win the first two games of a Finals series on the road, which puts them with the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets.
More importantly, they head home to Madison Square Garden needing only two more wins to capture the championship that has eluded the franchise since 1973.
As Brunson reminded everyone afterward, however, celebration is not part of the plan.
“I think our mindset was 0-0,” he said. “Even with the series it is now, next game, the mindset has to be 0-0 again. You can’t be comfortable. You can’t be satisfied with anything.”
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
