Mike Brown, Knicks coach, on the back-and-forth Game 2 thriller.
The New York Knicks closed out a 105-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals, seizing a 2-0 series lead that puts them on the cusp of their first championship in 53 years. The win, secured in a game filled with dramatic swings, saw Karl-Anthony Towns dominate the second quarter, Jalen Brunson defy his shooting slump in the final moments, and the Spurs’ “Hack-a-Mitch” strategy against Mitchell Robinson fail to derail New York’s momentum.
How Towns Turned the Game
Karl-Anthony Towns was the catalyst for the Knicks’ resurgence, turning a 37-25 Spurs lead in the second quarter into a 56-52 halftime advantage. The All-Star center scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, with his 3-pointers and defensive presence shifting the game’s trajectory. Towns’ performance was a stark contrast to his Game 1 struggles, where he scored just 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting.
“[Towns] is not afraid to challenge Wembanyama offensively and defensively,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “He changed the direction of the game.” Towns finished with a team-high 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists, while the Knicks outscored the Spurs by 11 points with him on the court. His ability to match up against Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ 7-foot-1 star, was a critical factor in New York’s ability to withstand San Antonio’s late-game push.
The Clutch Moment That Defined the Night
With the Knicks leading 104-103 and 9.5 seconds left, Jalen Brunson was sent to the free-throw line after a defensive foul on Victor Wembanyama. Brunson, who had struggled all night shooting 7-of-25 from the field, missed the first of two free throws, leaving the Spurs with a chance to tie the game. Wembanyama’s final-second jumper clanged off the rim, and the Knicks held on.
Brunson’s performance was a tale of two halves. He finished with 20 points, six assists, and five rebounds, but his shooting woes were glaring—2-of-8 from beyond the arc and 7-of-25 overall. His missed free throw in the final moments drew criticism, but coach Mike Brown defended his star. “We had to do a good job of staying composed in those situations,” Brown said. “It’s a credit to the character that this team has.”
The Spurs’ “Hack-a-Mitch” Strategy Fails
The Spurs leaned heavily on their “Hack-a-Mitch” tactic in Game 2, targeting Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, who has struggled with free throws throughout his career. Robinson entered the game shooting 50.8% from the line, a figure that has plagued him since the 2025 season. San Antonio fouled him three times in the first quarter, but Robinson went 3-of-6 from the free-throw line, and the strategy did little to slow New York’s offense.
Robinson’s free-throw percentage—50.8%—is the lowest among active players, and the Spurs’ decision to exploit his weaknesses was a calculated risk. However, the Knicks’ ability to score without relying on Robinson’s free-throw attempts proved decisive. “We’re just trying to make it difficult on him,” Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox said. “He’s a hell of a player.”
A Historical Echo of “Hack-a-Shaq”
The “Hack-a-Mitch” strategy mirrors the NBA’s long history of targeting players with poor free-throw shooting. Shaquille O’Neal, for instance, was routinely fouled in his prime, with opponents hoping to capitalize on his 52.7% career free-throw percentage. The tactic has been used against Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, and Ben Simmons, among others.
Mitchell Robinson’s struggles from the line are not unique, but his inconsistency in high-stakes moments made him a prime target. The Spurs’ decision to focus on him was a bold move, but it ultimately backfired as the Knicks found other ways to score.
The Knicks’ Unstoppable Momentum
The victory extended the Knicks’ postseason winning streak to 13 games, the second-longest in NBA history. The team’s ability to win on the road in Game 2—only the third time in Finals history that a team has taken a 2-0 lead after winning the first two games on the road—positions them as heavy favorites to win the championship.
Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ star guard, emphasized the importance of maintaining focus. “Even with the series it is now, next game, mindset has to be 0-0 again,” Brunson said. “You can’t be comfortable. You can’t be satisfied with anything.” His comments reflect the team’s relentless approach, which has seen them overcome multiple close calls in the playoffs.
What’s Next for the Knicks?
With the series now tied at 2-0, the Knicks will host the Spurs in Games 3 and 4 at Madison Square Garden. The pressure will shift to San Antonio, which has not won a Finals game in New York since 1999.
