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Deadspin | Paige Shiver: Sherrone Moore ‘encouraged’ abortion, an ‘open secret’ at Michigan  Former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore and his wife Kelli Moore listen to his lawyer, Ellen Michaels, talk to the media after his suspended sentence ruling in the courtroom of Judge J. Cedric Simpson at 14A-1 District Court in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, April, 14, 2026.   Paige Shiver said Michigan was aware of her extramarital relationship with disgraced Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore and her terminated pregnancy during their affair.  Shiver, who worked as an intern in the football department and was elevated to executive assistant when Moore moved from offensive coordinator to head coach, said she felt obligated to continue the four-year relationship as Moore took over the football team.  “(Moore) controlled everything that was going on in my life, and (the university) didn’t do anything about it,” the 32-year-old Shiver said in an interview with “Good Morning America” that aired Friday morning.  When the tryst became public, Moore was fired by Michigan after a brief investigation. In the immediate aftermath of the decision, Moore went to Shivers’ residence and she called 911 fearing she would be harmed. Moore was charged with felony home invasion. He reached a plea deal on March 6 and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation on April 14.  Shiver said she feared for her life when she picked up the phone to call for help.  “All of a sudden I hear footsteps and they’re getting closer and louder, and I’m like, ‘Crap,’ so I run to my door to try and lock it,” she told GMA. “He barges in and is standing this close to me and says, ‘You ruined my life. Why would you do this to me?’ I started backing up and he starts following me.  “He’s 6-4 and he comes in with his hood up, looking down at me saying I ruined his life, crying, and it’s like, and he starts coming at me, and I tell him to leave and he’s not supposed to be here, he’s not listening to me, then he starts grabbing butter knives.”  Moore said she frequently tried to end the relationship but Moore always convinced her he was “lost without me.”   Because Shiver has Pompe disease, a genetic condition that causes deterioration of muscle, she said doctors advised her against carrying what she claimed was Moore’s child to term.  “Multiple doctors and experts told me that it wouldn’t be right or healthy for me to keep the baby,” Shiver told GMA.  Shiver said she wanted to keep the baby, but Moore told her, “You have to do what’s right for your body.”  Shiver is no longer employed by Michigan. Her contract with the football department expired in February.  Two Chicago-based attorneys were hired by Shiver to represent her and said the pattern of harassment was not limited to a single incident, time or place.  “The University of Michigan is one of the most well-regarded institutions in the world, yet they have an athletic department that has a pattern and practice of systemic failures,” attorney Andrew M. Stroth said in a statement. “Our pursuit on behalf of Ms. Shiver is to get some level of accountability and justice so this doesn’t happen to other individuals.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Paige #Shiver #Sherrone #Moore #encouraged #abortion #open #secret #Michigan

Deadspin | Paige Shiver: Sherrone Moore ‘encouraged’ abortion, an ‘open secret’ at Michigan
Deadspin | Paige Shiver: Sherrone Moore ‘encouraged’ abortion, an ‘open secret’ at Michigan  Former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore and his wife Kelli Moore listen to his lawyer, Ellen Michaels, talk to the media after his suspended sentence ruling in the courtroom of Judge J. Cedric Simpson at 14A-1 District Court in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, April, 14, 2026.   Paige Shiver said Michigan was aware of her extramarital relationship with disgraced Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore and her terminated pregnancy during their affair.  Shiver, who worked as an intern in the football department and was elevated to executive assistant when Moore moved from offensive coordinator to head coach, said she felt obligated to continue the four-year relationship as Moore took over the football team.  “(Moore) controlled everything that was going on in my life, and (the university) didn’t do anything about it,” the 32-year-old Shiver said in an interview with “Good Morning America” that aired Friday morning.  When the tryst became public, Moore was fired by Michigan after a brief investigation. In the immediate aftermath of the decision, Moore went to Shivers’ residence and she called 911 fearing she would be harmed. Moore was charged with felony home invasion. He reached a plea deal on March 6 and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation on April 14.  Shiver said she feared for her life when she picked up the phone to call for help.  “All of a sudden I hear footsteps and they’re getting closer and louder, and I’m like, ‘Crap,’ so I run to my door to try and lock it,” she told GMA. “He barges in and is standing this close to me and says, ‘You ruined my life. Why would you do this to me?’ I started backing up and he starts following me.  “He’s 6-4 and he comes in with his hood up, looking down at me saying I ruined his life, crying, and it’s like, and he starts coming at me, and I tell him to leave and he’s not supposed to be here, he’s not listening to me, then he starts grabbing butter knives.”  Moore said she frequently tried to end the relationship but Moore always convinced her he was “lost without me.”   Because Shiver has Pompe disease, a genetic condition that causes deterioration of muscle, she said doctors advised her against carrying what she claimed was Moore’s child to term.  “Multiple doctors and experts told me that it wouldn’t be right or healthy for me to keep the baby,” Shiver told GMA.  Shiver said she wanted to keep the baby, but Moore told her, “You have to do what’s right for your body.”  Shiver is no longer employed by Michigan. Her contract with the football department expired in February.  Two Chicago-based attorneys were hired by Shiver to represent her and said the pattern of harassment was not limited to a single incident, time or place.  “The University of Michigan is one of the most well-regarded institutions in the world, yet they have an athletic department that has a pattern and practice of systemic failures,” attorney Andrew M. Stroth said in a statement. “Our pursuit on behalf of Ms. Shiver is to get some level of accountability and justice so this doesn’t happen to other individuals.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Paige #Shiver #Sherrone #Moore #encouraged #abortion #open #secret #MichiganFormer University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore and his wife Kelli Moore listen to his lawyer, Ellen Michaels, talk to the media after his suspended sentence ruling in the courtroom of Judge J. Cedric Simpson at 14A-1 District Court in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, April, 14, 2026.

Paige Shiver said Michigan was aware of her extramarital relationship with disgraced Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore and her terminated pregnancy during their affair.

Shiver, who worked as an intern in the football department and was elevated to executive assistant when Moore moved from offensive coordinator to head coach, said she felt obligated to continue the four-year relationship as Moore took over the football team.

“(Moore) controlled everything that was going on in my life, and (the university) didn’t do anything about it,” the 32-year-old Shiver said in an interview with “Good Morning America” that aired Friday morning.

When the tryst became public, Moore was fired by Michigan after a brief investigation. In the immediate aftermath of the decision, Moore went to Shivers’ residence and she called 911 fearing she would be harmed. Moore was charged with felony home invasion. He reached a plea deal on March 6 and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation on April 14.

Shiver said she feared for her life when she picked up the phone to call for help.

“All of a sudden I hear footsteps and they’re getting closer and louder, and I’m like, ‘Crap,’ so I run to my door to try and lock it,” she told GMA. “He barges in and is standing this close to me and says, ‘You ruined my life. Why would you do this to me?’ I started backing up and he starts following me.

“He’s 6-4 and he comes in with his hood up, looking down at me saying I ruined his life, crying, and it’s like, and he starts coming at me, and I tell him to leave and he’s not supposed to be here, he’s not listening to me, then he starts grabbing butter knives.”


Moore said she frequently tried to end the relationship but Moore always convinced her he was “lost without me.”

Because Shiver has Pompe disease, a genetic condition that causes deterioration of muscle, she said doctors advised her against carrying what she claimed was Moore’s child to term.

“Multiple doctors and experts told me that it wouldn’t be right or healthy for me to keep the baby,” Shiver told GMA.

Shiver said she wanted to keep the baby, but Moore told her, “You have to do what’s right for your body.”

Shiver is no longer employed by Michigan. Her contract with the football department expired in February.

Two Chicago-based attorneys were hired by Shiver to represent her and said the pattern of harassment was not limited to a single incident, time or place.

“The University of Michigan is one of the most well-regarded institutions in the world, yet they have an athletic department that has a pattern and practice of systemic failures,” attorney Andrew M. Stroth said in a statement. “Our pursuit on behalf of Ms. Shiver is to get some level of accountability and justice so this doesn’t happen to other individuals.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Paige #Shiver #Sherrone #Moore #encouraged #abortion #open #secret #Michigan

Former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore and his wife Kelli Moore listen to his lawyer, Ellen Michaels, talk to the media after his suspended sentence ruling in the courtroom of Judge J. Cedric Simpson at 14A-1 District Court in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, April, 14, 2026.

Paige Shiver said Michigan was aware of her extramarital relationship with disgraced Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore and her terminated pregnancy during their affair.

Shiver, who worked as an intern in the football department and was elevated to executive assistant when Moore moved from offensive coordinator to head coach, said she felt obligated to continue the four-year relationship as Moore took over the football team.

“(Moore) controlled everything that was going on in my life, and (the university) didn’t do anything about it,” the 32-year-old Shiver said in an interview with “Good Morning America” that aired Friday morning.

When the tryst became public, Moore was fired by Michigan after a brief investigation. In the immediate aftermath of the decision, Moore went to Shivers’ residence and she called 911 fearing she would be harmed. Moore was charged with felony home invasion. He reached a plea deal on March 6 and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation on April 14.

Shiver said she feared for her life when she picked up the phone to call for help.

“All of a sudden I hear footsteps and they’re getting closer and louder, and I’m like, ‘Crap,’ so I run to my door to try and lock it,” she told GMA. “He barges in and is standing this close to me and says, ‘You ruined my life. Why would you do this to me?’ I started backing up and he starts following me.

“He’s 6-4 and he comes in with his hood up, looking down at me saying I ruined his life, crying, and it’s like, and he starts coming at me, and I tell him to leave and he’s not supposed to be here, he’s not listening to me, then he starts grabbing butter knives.”

Moore said she frequently tried to end the relationship but Moore always convinced her he was “lost without me.”

Because Shiver has Pompe disease, a genetic condition that causes deterioration of muscle, she said doctors advised her against carrying what she claimed was Moore’s child to term.

“Multiple doctors and experts told me that it wouldn’t be right or healthy for me to keep the baby,” Shiver told GMA.

Shiver said she wanted to keep the baby, but Moore told her, “You have to do what’s right for your body.”

Shiver is no longer employed by Michigan. Her contract with the football department expired in February.

Two Chicago-based attorneys were hired by Shiver to represent her and said the pattern of harassment was not limited to a single incident, time or place.

“The University of Michigan is one of the most well-regarded institutions in the world, yet they have an athletic department that has a pattern and practice of systemic failures,” attorney Andrew M. Stroth said in a statement. “Our pursuit on behalf of Ms. Shiver is to get some level of accountability and justice so this doesn’t happen to other individuals.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Paige #Shiver #Sherrone #Moore #encouraged #abortion #open #secret #Michigan

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F1: Audi appoints McNish as Racing Director ahead of Miami GP  <div id="content-body-70902077" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Triple Le Mans ​24 Hours winner and former grand prix racer Allan McNish ‌has been appointed Racing Director of the Audi ​Formula One team, they announced on Friday.</p><p>The ⁠Scot will be responsible for coordinating all trackside operations from next week’s Miami Grand Prix, the team said in a ‌statement, and reports directly to principal Mattia Binotto.</p><p>McNish has been part of the Audi F1 ‌project from the start and was also previously ‌principal ⁠of the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler Formula E ⁠team.</p><p>He fills a vacancy left by Jonathan Wheatley, whose departure was announced last month.</p><p>“Allan brings an exceptional combination of racing experience, technical ​understanding and leadership to ‌this role,” said Binotto.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/motorsport/f1/formula-one-to-return-to-turkey-from-2027-five-year-deal-news/article70901478.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Formula 1 returns to Turkey on 5-year deal</a></b></p><p>“He has been a central part of the motorsport structure of Audi for many years and, in his roles within Audi Revolut F1 ‌Team since its start, has played a key ​role in shaping our preparation for Formula One, not least with his work around ⁠technical partnerships.”</p><p>McNish won Le Mans in 1998 with Porsche and in 2008 and 2013 with Audi. He raced in ‌Formula One with Toyota in 2002.</p><p>“The project we are building is ambitious, and my focus will be on ensuring that all aspects of our race operations are delivering at their most competitive level and continuously improving,” he said.</p><p>“Together with our Driver Development Programme, to ‌which I remain fully committed, my focus will be on implementing ​the building blocks for our success, under the direction of Mattia and the Board of ⁠Directors.”</p><p>Audi took over the Swiss-based Sauber team and this season ⁠is the carmaker’s first under its own brand with its own engine.</p><p>It is eighth of ‌the 11 teams after three races and have said they want to be in a position to ​fight for the world championship by 2030.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 24, 2026</p></div> #Audi #appoints #McNish #Racing #Director #ahead #Miami

The New York Knicks are headed back to Madison Square Garden with the opportunity to bring home the franchise’s first championship in 53 years without leaving the city. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-104, in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals to become the third team in league history to win the first two games of the championship round on the road, joining the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets.

The Knicks have now won 13 straight playoff games, with 11 of those victories coming by double-figures. The Spurs were a 2-1 favorite in the betting markets entering the series, but the Knicks have out-classed a young San Antonio team on both ends to take complete control in the matchup so far.

The Knicks took a 97-83 lead with six minutes remaining on a driving dunk by OG Anunoby. From there, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to tie the game. The end of the fourth quarter featured a wild sequence where Jalen Brunson missed a mid-range jump shot with 13 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to throw an outlet pass to teammate Stephon Castle. Only problem: Castle wasn’t looking for the ball, so it hit him in the back and resulted in a turnover. Brunson was fouled after the Knicks recovered the possession, and he split two free throws to give New York the lead. The Spurs had one last chance, but Wembanyama missed an attempt at the game-winning jumper at the buzzer:

For long stretches in this game, it felt like the Knicks had mastered basketball. After the Spurs ended the first quarter with a nine-point lead, New York roared back in the second quarter with what’s quickly becoming their signature blend of selfless ball-movement, skilled shooting, and tough defense. The Knicks have a true five-out offense, and the threat of their shooting is putting San Antonio’s defense in constant rotation. New York has immaculate spacing and an entire lineup that all dribble, pass, and shoot.

It all came together on this possession where all five players touched the ball before Mikal Bridges walked into an opener corner three, which he drilled.

The Knicks have so many weapons offensively that it would be easy to overlook their defense, but their dedication to the other end of the floor is what’s given them such a strong grip on this series. Victor Wembanyama looked like the best player in the world after leading the Spurs to a 7-game Western Conference Finals victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks are flustered Wembanyama through two games in the NBA Finals by pushing him out to the perimeter, getting into his dribble when he puts the ball on the floor, and making him defend out on the perimeter to pull him away from the paint.

The key for the Knicks on both ends has been Karl-Anthony Towns. He should be Finals MVP if the series ended today.

Towns’ defense has been questioned through his career. He’s completely turned it around defensively during this playoff run. Towns looks comfortable pressuring Wembanyama out on the perimeter defensively, and he has the strength to keep him away his spots around the elbow or inside the paint. He’s also an elite defensive rebounder who has been cleaning up on the glass and allowing New York to win the possession game. Offensively, Towns’ knockdown shooting ability means Wemby can’t hang around the rim. When he sees an opening, KAT is also consistently attacking off the dribble to put pressure on the rim and finish through Wembanyama and other Spurs defenders.

Jalen Brunson took the Knicks home with clutch shot-making down the stretch in Game 1, but for the most part San Antonio has done an excellent job defending him. It’s been the other Knicks who have picked Brunson up. New York’s offense felt way too dependent on Brunson to create everything in previous years. The Knicks no longer feels like a one-man show on offense, and it’s making them so much harder to defend.

Brunson has 50 points on 56 shots so far in this series. He’s still been emptying the clip when the Knicks really need a bucket, but it’s players like OG Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and reserve guard Landry Shamet have kept the offense humming.

Wembanyama ended the game with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The late turnover looking for Castle at the end of Game 2 might haunt the Spurs for a long time.

The Knicks are now up 2-0 in the 2026 NBA Finals. Game 3 is Monday in Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be incredible. The series just keeps getting better and better.

#Knicks #broken #Spurs #NBA #Finals #Game #win">The Knicks have broken the Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals after Game 2 win  The New York Knicks are headed back to Madison Square Garden with the opportunity to bring home the franchise’s first championship in 53 years without leaving the city. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-104, in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals to become the third team in league history to win the first two games of the championship round on the road, joining the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets.The Knicks have now won 13 straight playoff games, with 11 of those victories coming by double-figures. The Spurs were a 2-1 favorite in the betting markets entering the series, but the Knicks have out-classed a young San Antonio team on both ends to take complete control in the matchup so far.The Knicks took a 97-83 lead with six minutes remaining on a driving dunk by OG Anunoby. From there, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to tie the game. The end of the fourth quarter featured a wild sequence where Jalen Brunson missed a mid-range jump shot with 13 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to throw an outlet pass to teammate Stephon Castle. Only problem: Castle wasn’t looking for the ball, so it hit him in the back and resulted in a turnover. Brunson was fouled after the Knicks recovered the possession, and he split two free throws to give New York the lead. The Spurs had one last chance, but Wembanyama missed an attempt at the game-winning jumper at the buzzer:For long stretches in this game, it felt like the Knicks had mastered basketball. After the Spurs ended the first quarter with a nine-point lead, New York roared back in the second quarter with what’s quickly becoming their signature blend of selfless ball-movement, skilled shooting, and tough defense. The Knicks have a true five-out offense, and the threat of their shooting is putting San Antonio’s defense in constant rotation. New York has immaculate spacing and an entire lineup that all dribble, pass, and shoot.It all came together on this possession where all five players touched the ball before Mikal Bridges walked into an opener corner three, which he drilled.The Knicks have so many weapons offensively that it would be easy to overlook their defense, but their dedication to the other end of the floor is what’s given them such a strong grip on this series. Victor Wembanyama looked like the best player in the world after leading the Spurs to a 7-game Western Conference Finals victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks are flustered Wembanyama through two games in the NBA Finals by pushing him out to the perimeter, getting into his dribble when he puts the ball on the floor, and making him defend out on the perimeter to pull him away from the paint.The key for the Knicks on both ends has been Karl-Anthony Towns. He should be Finals MVP if the series ended today.Towns’ defense has been questioned through his career. He’s completely turned it around defensively during this playoff run. Towns looks comfortable pressuring Wembanyama out on the perimeter defensively, and he has the strength to keep him away his spots around the elbow or inside the paint. He’s also an elite defensive rebounder who has been cleaning up on the glass and allowing New York to win the possession game. Offensively, Towns’ knockdown shooting ability means Wemby can’t hang around the rim. When he sees an opening, KAT is also consistently attacking off the dribble to put pressure on the rim and finish through Wembanyama and other Spurs defenders.Jalen Brunson took the Knicks home with clutch shot-making down the stretch in Game 1, but for the most part San Antonio has done an excellent job defending him. It’s been the other Knicks who have picked Brunson up. New York’s offense felt way too dependent on Brunson to create everything in previous years. The Knicks no longer feels like a one-man show on offense, and it’s making them so much harder to defend.Brunson has 50 points on 56 shots so far in this series. He’s still been emptying the clip when the Knicks really need a bucket, but it’s players like OG Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and reserve guard Landry Shamet have kept the offense humming.Wembanyama ended the game with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The late turnover looking for Castle at the end of Game 2 might haunt the Spurs for a long time.The Knicks are now up 2-0 in the 2026 NBA Finals. Game 3 is Monday in Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be incredible. The series just keeps getting better and better.  #Knicks #broken #Spurs #NBA #Finals #Game #win

The Spurs were a 2-1 favorite in the betting markets entering the series, but the Knicks have out-classed a young San Antonio team on both ends to take complete control in the matchup so far.

The Knicks took a 97-83 lead with six minutes remaining on a driving dunk by OG Anunoby. From there, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to tie the game. The end of the fourth quarter featured a wild sequence where Jalen Brunson missed a mid-range jump shot with 13 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to throw an outlet pass to teammate Stephon Castle. Only problem: Castle wasn’t looking for the ball, so it hit him in the back and resulted in a turnover. Brunson was fouled after the Knicks recovered the possession, and he split two free throws to give New York the lead. The Spurs had one last chance, but Wembanyama missed an attempt at the game-winning jumper at the buzzer:

For long stretches in this game, it felt like the Knicks had mastered basketball. After the Spurs ended the first quarter with a nine-point lead, New York roared back in the second quarter with what’s quickly becoming their signature blend of selfless ball-movement, skilled shooting, and tough defense. The Knicks have a true five-out offense, and the threat of their shooting is putting San Antonio’s defense in constant rotation. New York has immaculate spacing and an entire lineup that all dribble, pass, and shoot.

It all came together on this possession where all five players touched the ball before Mikal Bridges walked into an opener corner three, which he drilled.

The Knicks have so many weapons offensively that it would be easy to overlook their defense, but their dedication to the other end of the floor is what’s given them such a strong grip on this series. Victor Wembanyama looked like the best player in the world after leading the Spurs to a 7-game Western Conference Finals victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks are flustered Wembanyama through two games in the NBA Finals by pushing him out to the perimeter, getting into his dribble when he puts the ball on the floor, and making him defend out on the perimeter to pull him away from the paint.

The key for the Knicks on both ends has been Karl-Anthony Towns. He should be Finals MVP if the series ended today.

Towns’ defense has been questioned through his career. He’s completely turned it around defensively during this playoff run. Towns looks comfortable pressuring Wembanyama out on the perimeter defensively, and he has the strength to keep him away his spots around the elbow or inside the paint. He’s also an elite defensive rebounder who has been cleaning up on the glass and allowing New York to win the possession game. Offensively, Towns’ knockdown shooting ability means Wemby can’t hang around the rim. When he sees an opening, KAT is also consistently attacking off the dribble to put pressure on the rim and finish through Wembanyama and other Spurs defenders.

Jalen Brunson took the Knicks home with clutch shot-making down the stretch in Game 1, but for the most part San Antonio has done an excellent job defending him. It’s been the other Knicks who have picked Brunson up. New York’s offense felt way too dependent on Brunson to create everything in previous years. The Knicks no longer feels like a one-man show on offense, and it’s making them so much harder to defend.

Brunson has 50 points on 56 shots so far in this series. He’s still been emptying the clip when the Knicks really need a bucket, but it’s players like OG Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and reserve guard Landry Shamet have kept the offense humming.

Wembanyama ended the game with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The late turnover looking for Castle at the end of Game 2 might haunt the Spurs for a long time.

The Knicks are now up 2-0 in the 2026 NBA Finals. Game 3 is Monday in Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be incredible. The series just keeps getting better and better.

#Knicks #broken #Spurs #NBA #Finals #Game #win">The Knicks have broken the Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals after Game 2 win

The New York Knicks are headed back to Madison Square Garden with the opportunity to bring home the franchise’s first championship in 53 years without leaving the city. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-104, in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals to become the third team in league history to win the first two games of the championship round on the road, joining the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets.

The Knicks have now won 13 straight playoff games, with 11 of those victories coming by double-figures. The Spurs were a 2-1 favorite in the betting markets entering the series, but the Knicks have out-classed a young San Antonio team on both ends to take complete control in the matchup so far.

The Knicks took a 97-83 lead with six minutes remaining on a driving dunk by OG Anunoby. From there, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to tie the game. The end of the fourth quarter featured a wild sequence where Jalen Brunson missed a mid-range jump shot with 13 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to throw an outlet pass to teammate Stephon Castle. Only problem: Castle wasn’t looking for the ball, so it hit him in the back and resulted in a turnover. Brunson was fouled after the Knicks recovered the possession, and he split two free throws to give New York the lead. The Spurs had one last chance, but Wembanyama missed an attempt at the game-winning jumper at the buzzer:

For long stretches in this game, it felt like the Knicks had mastered basketball. After the Spurs ended the first quarter with a nine-point lead, New York roared back in the second quarter with what’s quickly becoming their signature blend of selfless ball-movement, skilled shooting, and tough defense. The Knicks have a true five-out offense, and the threat of their shooting is putting San Antonio’s defense in constant rotation. New York has immaculate spacing and an entire lineup that all dribble, pass, and shoot.

It all came together on this possession where all five players touched the ball before Mikal Bridges walked into an opener corner three, which he drilled.

The Knicks have so many weapons offensively that it would be easy to overlook their defense, but their dedication to the other end of the floor is what’s given them such a strong grip on this series. Victor Wembanyama looked like the best player in the world after leading the Spurs to a 7-game Western Conference Finals victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks are flustered Wembanyama through two games in the NBA Finals by pushing him out to the perimeter, getting into his dribble when he puts the ball on the floor, and making him defend out on the perimeter to pull him away from the paint.

The key for the Knicks on both ends has been Karl-Anthony Towns. He should be Finals MVP if the series ended today.

Towns’ defense has been questioned through his career. He’s completely turned it around defensively during this playoff run. Towns looks comfortable pressuring Wembanyama out on the perimeter defensively, and he has the strength to keep him away his spots around the elbow or inside the paint. He’s also an elite defensive rebounder who has been cleaning up on the glass and allowing New York to win the possession game. Offensively, Towns’ knockdown shooting ability means Wemby can’t hang around the rim. When he sees an opening, KAT is also consistently attacking off the dribble to put pressure on the rim and finish through Wembanyama and other Spurs defenders.

Jalen Brunson took the Knicks home with clutch shot-making down the stretch in Game 1, but for the most part San Antonio has done an excellent job defending him. It’s been the other Knicks who have picked Brunson up. New York’s offense felt way too dependent on Brunson to create everything in previous years. The Knicks no longer feels like a one-man show on offense, and it’s making them so much harder to defend.

Brunson has 50 points on 56 shots so far in this series. He’s still been emptying the clip when the Knicks really need a bucket, but it’s players like OG Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and reserve guard Landry Shamet have kept the offense humming.

Wembanyama ended the game with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The late turnover looking for Castle at the end of Game 2 might haunt the Spurs for a long time.

The Knicks are now up 2-0 in the 2026 NBA Finals. Game 3 is Monday in Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be incredible. The series just keeps getting better and better.

#Knicks #broken #Spurs #NBA #Finals #Game #win

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