The New York Knicks will have to wait another night to attempt to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. But after arguably stealing Game 1 from the San Antonio Spurs for their 12th straight postseason victory, it’s hard to bet against them right now.
The Knicks continued to follow a similar pattern of falling behind early before wearing down teams and rallying to win. Jalen Brunson, who scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter Wednesday, June 3 continues to show basketball fans and foes he’s one of the best playoff closers in recent memory.
With Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama just 6 of 21 from the floor, the Knicks were able to erase a 14-point deficit on the road and win, 105-95.
To avoid the Knicks from taking control of the series, they will likely need more offense out of Wembanyama and more consistent shooting from the perimeter.
If the Knicks get three more victories in a row it will not only give them an NBA title for the first time since 1973, but it will tie the playoff record for victories in consecutive fashion.
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Here’s what to know about the NBA Finals, including the start time for Game 2 Friday June 5, where to watch, a full schedule, odds and more:
What time is NBA Finals Game 2? NBA Finals tipoff Game 2
Game 2 of the NBA Finals tips off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5.
Where can I watch the NBA Finals 2026
The 2026 NBA Finals air on ABC and stream on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
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Where is Game 2 of the NBA Finals?
Frost Bank Center, home of the San Antonio Spurs, will host Game 2 of the NBA Finals. It also hosted Game 1.
Madison Square Garden in New York City will be the host site for Games 3 and 4. If necessary, the series will be back in San Antonio for Game 5, in New York City for Game 6 and finally in San Antonio for a winner-take-all Game 7.
When is the NBA Finals 2026? NBA Finals schedule
Here’s the full NBA Finals schedule. All games tip off at 7:30 p.m. and air on ABC.
NBA Finals odds Game 2: Who’s favored in Knicks vs Spurs NBA Finals?
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
NBA Finals championship odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
After the Knicks’ victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, they’re favored to win the series. Before Game 1, the Spurs were the favorites, at -190, with the Knicks at +155.
Here are the updated NBA title odds:
How did the Spurs and Knicks reach the NBA Finals?
The Spurs were the second seed in the Western Conference after going 62-20 in the regular season and beat the Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs.
It was the team’s first appearance in the playoffs in seven years as they rebuilt their roster over the last several years with high draft picks like No. 11 overall Devin Vassell in 2020, No. 1 Victor Wembanyama in 2023, No. 4 overall pick Stephon Castle in 2024 and No. 2 overall Dylan Harper in 2025, as well as a mix of veteran acquisitions that fit perfectly like De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes. Mitch Johnson, whose dad, John, was a Milwaukee basketball legend, is in his second season as the Spurs coach.
The Knicks were the third seed in the Eastern Conference after going 53-29 in the regular season and beat the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.
This was the Knicks’ fifth playoff appearance in the last six years and they finally broke through to the NBA Finals. The Knicks are led by guard Jalen Brunson, whom they acquired via free agency four years ago. He has gone on to become a three-time All-Star and All-NBA player. Around him are two of his former college teammates at Villanova in versatile wings Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, plus former No. 1 overall pick Karl Anthony Towns, acquired in a massive trade with the Timberwolves two summers ago.
After losing in the Eastern Conference finals last season, coach Tom Thibodeau was fired to make way for Mike Brown.
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When was the last time the Knicks were in the Finals?
The Knicks were last in the NBA Finals in 1999. They made it all the way to the NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed. The Knicks had a stunning upset over the Miami Heat in the first round, becoming just the second eighth seed to beat a No. 1 at the time. New York then swept the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals before dispatching the Indiana Pacers in six games to become the first No. 8 seed to ever make it to the NBA Finals.
But future Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing missed the entire NBA Finals after sustaining a torn Achilles in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers. Ewing was the team’s leading scorer during the regular season at 17.3 points per game.
Starters on that NBA Finals team included Allan Houston, Milwaukee native Latrell Sprewell, Larry Johnson, Marcus Camby and Charlie Ward. Key bench players were Chris Childs, Kurt Thomas and Chris Dudley.
Jeff Van Gundy was the team’s head coach.
When was the last time the Spurs were in the Finals?
It’s been a while as well for the Spurs since their last appearance in the NBA Finals but not as long as the Knicks.
Since the 1999 appearance against the Knicks, the Spurs have played in five more NBA Finals with their most recent coming in 2014.
During the Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker era the Spurs won four championships. Their only NBA Finals loss came in came in 2013 against the Miami Heat. But in a rematch the following year, the Spurs beat LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Heat, 4-1, to win the franchise’s fifth NBA championship.
How many games are in the NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals are a best-of-seven format like all the other playoff series. That means the first team to win four games wins the series and the championship.
The latest the NBA Finals can go is Game 7 on June 19.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Is there an NBA Finals game tonight? Knicks vs Spurs schedule, TV
Reporting by Emmett Prosser, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emmett Prosser, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
