Spurs seek historic turnaround as Knicks hold 2-0 NBA Finals lead

The San Antonio Spurs remain determined to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the NBA Finals, with Victor Wembanyama and the coaching staff expressing confidence ahead of Game 3 against the New York Knicks. The series shifts to Madison Square Garden on Monday, presenting a significant challenge for a franchise that has lost six consecutive games at the venue, with its last victory there dating back to November 2019.

San Antonio trailed 105-95 in Game 1 and 105-104 in overtime during Game 2, both played at the Frost Bank Center. In the second game, Jalen Brunson secured the win with a go-ahead free throw with 9.5 seconds remaining, following a turnover by Wembanyama that resulted in a foul. Wembanyama subsequently missed a potential game-winning jumper, becoming the first player in the play-by-play era, since the 1997-98 season, to record a turnover, foul, and missed shot in the final 10 seconds of a Finals contest.

Wembanyama emphasised the importance of mental composure, stating that acceptance is key to managing the pressure of the situation. "This is everything that I wished for," he said. "There's really no reason to overthink it. This is what I'm built for." The Spurs acknowledge the statistical rarity of their position, noting that only five teams in NBA history have overcome a 2-0 Finals deficit, with the Milwaukee Bucks being the most recent to achieve the feat in 2021.

Head coach Mitch Johnson has repeatedly stressed the need for the team to return to the standards established during the regular season and the first three rounds of the playoffs. Johnson cited undisciplined play and the Knicks' ability to finish possessions as critical factors in the losses. "We've put in some good, hard work at times, and have not taken advantage of that hard work," Johnson said, adding that New York has stepped up to make plays at the end of the clock.

Former Spurs coach Gregg Popovich addressed the team on Saturday, advising players to move past the previous two games. Guard Stephon Castle noted that the message was to let the losses go, as they were winnable contests. With only Keldon Johnson remaining on the current roster from the Spurs' last win at Madison Square Garden, the team faces a hostile environment where security protocols have been tightened due to the President’s presence, leading the NYPD to cancel a public watch party.