Knicks Hit 53.6% of Corner 3s to Seize 2-0 Finals Lead Over Spurs

Q: Will Alex Caruso's record shooting continue, or can Wembanyama's dominance force a Game 7?

Caruso’s shooting is unlikely to stay at this exact historic level, but Oklahoma City still has the clearer path to ending the series unless Wembanyama reclaims the paint and dictates the game. The evidence says Caruso has already bent the series. He is averaging 17.0 points and shooting 58.1% from three against San Antonio after a regular season mark far lower, including 31 points in Game 1 and 22 on just 10 shots in Game 5. That kind of jump is difficult to sustain over time, but it is not just random hot shooting: San Antonio has repeatedly helped off him, and his series-best plus-minus reflects broader impact on both ends. If the Spurs keep leaving him open, he does not need to be historic again to punish them. The bigger swing factor is Wembanyama. In the Spurs’ two wins, he was overwhelming, scoring 41 points with 24 rebounds in Game 1 and 33 points in Game 4, while getting deep touches and finishing efficiently near the rim. In the three losses, his interior volume dropped sharply, and in Game 5 he took only 15 shots and was held to 4-of-15 shooting, with Isaiah Hartenstein bothering him effectively. So yes, Wembanyama can force a Game 7, but only if San Antonio changes the terms of the game: more touches for him inside, more than 20 points, stronger rim protection, and better guard play feeding him early. If that happens, the Spurs can extend the series. If not, Caruso and the Thunder’s depth should be enough to close it out.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8

New York has made 15 of 28 corner 3s through two Finals games, a blistering 53.6% clip that has helped put the Knicks up 2-0 on San Antonio.
That shot profile is a direct answer to Victor Wembanyama’s paint defense: Knicks drives force rotations, then kickouts target the corners, where his 8-foot wingspan is least able to erase looks.
Game 1 and Game 2 both showed the tradeoff—when Wembanyama stays home, shooters like Miles McBride and OG Anunoby get clean corner chances; when he flies out, driving lanes open behind him.
The approach fits New York’s roster and season-long identity: the Knicks led the league with 409 made corner 3s, and Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Landry Shamet and McBride give them multiple finishers there.
San Antonio has already seen this blueprint before—Oklahoma City used similar corner spacing in the West finals—yet New York’s accuracy has been sharper, turning 3.6% of the court into the series’ key battleground.