Playoffs resume with Knicks seeking to extend historic dominance over Sixers, Spurs aiming to bounce back against depleted Wolves
CBS Sports analysis highlights the contrasting fortunes of the Eastern and Western Conference series as teams prepare for Wednesday night's contests at Madison Square Garden and the AT\&T Center.
The 2026 NBA playoffs resumed on Wednesday with Game 2s in both conferences, marking a pivotal moment for the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. In the Eastern Conference, the Knicks are heavy favourites to extend their 2-0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. This advantage stems from a remarkable run of form, with the Knicks becoming the first team in NBA postseason history to win three consecutive games by at least 25 points, including a historic 39-point victory in Game 1 against Philadelphia.
The momentum for New York has been sustained over four straight victories dating back to Game 4 of their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, with all wins coming by at least 16 points. CBS Sports notes that while the Sixers have demonstrated an ability to bounce back from blowout losses in this postseason, the Knicks are projected to win Game 2 by 7.5 points or more. The analysis suggests that New York does not need to replicate their high shooting efficiency from the first round to secure a comfortable victory, given the disparity in their current form.
In the Western Conference, the narrative shifts to a team looking to recover from a significant setback. The San Antonio Spurs aim to respond after dropping Game 1 at home to the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves secured a dramatic upset thanks to Anthony Edwards' surprise return despite a knee injury, even though he is not considered 100% fit. The Spurs lost that initial contest due to poor shooting, going just 10-of-36 from three-point range, and are now projected to win Game 2 by 9.5 points as they look to capitalise on the Timberwolves' depleted roster.
The injury situation for Minnesota remains a critical factor in the Western matchup. Donte DiVincenzo, who is sidelined with an Achilles injury, and Ayo Dosunmu, listed as questionable with a calf issue, are absent from the Wolves' lineup for Game 2. While Edwards made his return in Game 1, his ability to maintain high performance levels remains uncertain, and the team is still missing other key personnel. This roster disadvantage has turned the Wolves into significant underdogs against the Spurs, who are expected to perform better in this second contest.
CBS Sports highlights that Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox are expected to perform better in Game 2 compared to their struggles in the first game. Historical trends suggest that higher-seeded teams often win Game 2 after dropping Game 1 at home, a pattern that could favour the Spurs as they look to reverse the momentum. The analysis indicates that one of the safest bets in sports is currently the Spurs securing a home win against a Wolves side that can only field a partial lineup.
As the playoffs continue, the focus remains on how these teams will navigate the immediate challenges of Game 2. The Knicks seek to maintain their historic streak at home, while the Spurs hope to capitalise on the Timberwolves' inability to field a full-strength squad. The outcome of these games will likely set the tone for the remainder of the series, with the Knicks holding a commanding position and the Spurs needing a strong performance to keep their season alive.
