Spurs fall 0-2 in Finals after late turnover costs Game 2
A final-second miscommunication between Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle sealed the Spurs’ fate, handing the Knicks a historic road series lead.
The San Antonio Spurs have fallen into a 0-2 deficit in the 2026 NBA Finals after a 105-104 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 2. The defeat, which marks the first time in franchise history the Knicks have held a 2-0 lead in the championship series, was decided in the final seconds by a critical turnover stemming from a miscommunication between Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle.
With the game tied and seconds remaining, Wembanyama secured a rebound after defending Jalen Brunson’s attempt at a game-winner. However, unsure if Castle, who had recently re-entered the game, wanted the ball, Wembanyama relinquished possession. Castle stated he had turned to give Wembanyama space to dribble up the court and did not see the pass intended for him. Wembanyama later admitted to a lack of poise, noting that his body reacted quicker than his mind.
The loss follows a game in which the Spurs overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the contest but ultimately failed to secure the win. New York controlled the offensive glass, securing twice as many second-chance opportunities and taking 11 more shots than San Antonio. The Knicks’ defensive adjustments also limited Brunson to 20 points on 7-of-25 shooting, though Karl-Anthony Towns exerted significant control on both ends of the floor.
San Antonio’s struggles were evident in their shooting efficiency, with their rim shot success rate plummeting by nearly 30% after the opening frame. According to Second Spectrum data, the Spurs ranked last in turnover rate and sixth-worst in effective field goal percentage in clutch playoff scenarios. Head coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged the team did not play up to their standard, attributing the loss partly to New York’s strong performance.
Game 3 will be played in San Antonio, shifting the mood from the optimism of Game 1 to desperation. Wembanyama, who finished with a game-high 29 points, said he would use the mistake to fuel the team for the next game. The Spurs now face a must-win environment as they attempt to avoid becoming only the third team in NBA history to lose the first two games of a Finals series on the road.
