Brunson Fires Knicks to 2-0 NBA Finals Lead with 2 Late Daggers
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 13
Brunson Fires Knicks to 2-0 NBA Finals Lead with 2 Late Daggers
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 13
Summary
Two clutch finishes in San Antonio put New York one win from its first title since 1973, with Jalen Brunson delivering the decisive shots in both Finals games.
Game 2 ended 105-104 after Brunson tied it with 39 seconds left and hit the go-ahead free throw with 9.5 seconds remaining off a Victor Wembanyama turnover.
Game 1 followed a similar script: Brunson returned from a knee and ankle scare, then sealed a 105-95 win with a fourth-quarter floater over Devin Vassell.
Brunson's rise from No. 33 pick and Dallas sidekick to New York centerpiece has been driven by relentless work, according to coaches, teammates and family members cited in the report.
The Knicks' 2022 decision to sign Brunson for 4 years and $105 million, once criticized as an overpay, now looks central to a franchise revival.
How did the Knicks unlock a championship leader in Brunson when the Mavericks saw only a role player?
Is the Knicks' patient team-building model the new blueprint for an NBA title, ending the era of chasing superstars?
How did one contract blunder with Jalen Brunson cause the Mavericks to ultimately lose superstar Luka Doncic?
Knicks Lead 2026 NBA Finals 3-1: Inside the Comebacks, Wembanyama’s Finals Debut, and the End of a 53-Year Wait?
Overview
The New York Knicks showcased remarkable resilience in the NBA Finals, highlighted by their dramatic 105-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2. Despite a crucial late-game error by Victor Wembanyama, the Knicks capitalized and secured the victory. Their ability to erase large deficits, including a 22-point comeback in the Eastern Conference finals and a 14-point rally against the Spurs, demonstrates their mental toughness and depth. These clutch performances under pressure have defined the series so far, with the Knicks consistently executing in critical moments to maintain their edge.