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RR vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: Sunrisers Hyderabad receives Pat Cummins boost ahead of contest against Rajasthan Royals  Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma lit up the stadium with a stunning century in the side’s previous encounter.  
                                                                          | Photo Credit:  
                                      SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
                                                                      
                        Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma lit up the stadium with a stunning century in the side’s previous encounter. 
                                                  | Photo Credit:  
                          SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
                                              elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the IPL 2026 contest between the Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur on Saturday. Rajasthan Royals is currently placed third in the standings, with five wins in seven games. The side managed a 40-run win over Lucknow Super Giants after back-to-back losses against the Sunrisers and Kolkata Knight Riders. Sunrisers Hyderabad also remains in firm contention for a top-four finish and is currently fourth with eight points to its name. Three wins on the trot has helped the side edge slightly ahead of its rivals for the final playoff spot. 
				Good evening!
			Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the IPL 2026 contest between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur. Published on Apr 25, 2026  #SRH #Live #Score #IPL #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #receives #Pat #Cummins #boost #ahead #contest #Rajasthan #Royals

RR vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: Sunrisers Hyderabad receives Pat Cummins boost ahead of contest against Rajasthan Royals
RR vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: Sunrisers Hyderabad receives Pat Cummins boost ahead of contest against Rajasthan Royals  Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma lit up the stadium with a stunning century in the side’s previous encounter.  
                                                                          | Photo Credit:  
                                      SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
                                                                      
                        Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma lit up the stadium with a stunning century in the side’s previous encounter. 
                                                  | Photo Credit:  
                          SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
                                              elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the IPL 2026 contest between the Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur on Saturday. Rajasthan Royals is currently placed third in the standings, with five wins in seven games. The side managed a 40-run win over Lucknow Super Giants after back-to-back losses against the Sunrisers and Kolkata Knight Riders. Sunrisers Hyderabad also remains in firm contention for a top-four finish and is currently fourth with eight points to its name. Three wins on the trot has helped the side edge slightly ahead of its rivals for the final playoff spot. 
				Good evening!
			Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the IPL 2026 contest between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur. Published on Apr 25, 2026  #SRH #Live #Score #IPL #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #receives #Pat #Cummins #boost #ahead #contest #Rajasthan #Royals

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma lit up the stadium with a stunning century in the side’s previous encounter. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

lightbox-info

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma lit up the stadium with a stunning century in the side’s previous encounter. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the IPL 2026 contest between the Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur on Saturday. 

Rajasthan Royals is currently placed third in the standings, with five wins in seven games. The side managed a 40-run win over Lucknow Super Giants after back-to-back losses against the Sunrisers and Kolkata Knight Riders. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad also remains in firm contention for a top-four finish and is currently fourth with eight points to its name. Three wins on the trot has helped the side edge slightly ahead of its rivals for the final playoff spot. 

  • Good evening!

    Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the IPL 2026 contest between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur. 

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#SRH #Live #Score #IPL #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #receives #Pat #Cummins #boost #ahead #contest #Rajasthan #Royals

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma lit up the stadium with a stunning century in the side’s previous encounter.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

lightbox-info

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma lit up the stadium with a stunning century in the side’s previous encounter.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the IPL 2026 contest between the Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur on Saturday. 

Rajasthan Royals is currently placed third in the standings, with five wins in seven games. The side managed a 40-run win over Lucknow Super Giants after back-to-back losses against the Sunrisers and Kolkata Knight Riders. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad also remains in firm contention for a top-four finish and is currently fourth with eight points to its name. Three wins on the trot has helped the side edge slightly ahead of its rivals for the final playoff spot. 

  • Good evening!

    Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the IPL 2026 contest between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Jaipur. 

Published on Apr 25, 2026

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#SRH #Live #Score #IPL #Sunrisers #Hyderabad #receives #Pat #Cummins #boost #ahead #contest #Rajasthan #Royals

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Deadspin | NBA roundup: Lakers rally for OT win, 3-0 lead on Rockets <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28806215.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28806215.jpg" alt="NBA: Playoffs-Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 24, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) scores a three-point basket late in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>LeBron James and Marcus Smart recorded double-doubles as the Los Angeles Lakers took a stranglehold on their first-round playoff series against the host Houston Rockets with a 112-108 overtime victory in Game 3 on Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>After James (29 points, 13 rebounds) forced OT with a 3-pointer, Smart scored eight of his 21 points in the extra period to put the Lakers up 3-0 in the Western Conference series.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Smart added a team-high 10 assists while Rui Hachimura put up 22 points for the Lakers, who will look for a sweep of the best-of-seven set on Sunday at Houston.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Rockets were without leading scorer Kevin Durant for the second time in the series. Durant, who missed Game 1 with a knee contusion, was a late scratch due to a left ankle sprain sustained in the fourth quarter of Game 2. Alperen Sengun paced the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds while Amen Thompson chipped in 26 points and 11 assists.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Spurs 120, Trail Blazers 108</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Stephon Castle hit for 33 points and rookie reserve Dylan Harper added career bests of 27 points and 10 boards as visiting San Antonio roared back to beat Portland in Game 3 of a first-round Western Conference playoff series.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>San Antonio erased a 15-point third-quarter deficit and took a 2-1 lead in the series. The Spurs won with Victor Wembanyama on the bench after the star was ruled out before the game because of concussion protocol. De’Aaron Fox added 18 points, with Luke Kornet racking up 14 points and 10 rebounds.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Jrue Holiday finished with 29 points to lead Portland. Scoot Henderson added 21 points, and Deni Avdija produced 19 points and nine assists.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Celtics 108, 76ers 100</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Jayson Tatum scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as visiting Boston defeated Philadelphia in Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Jaylen Brown matched Tatum with 25 points, while Payton Pritchard added 15 points for the Celtics, who lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points on 12-of-31 shooting for the Sixers. Paul George (18 points) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (17) also made key contributions, but VJ Edgecombe pitched in just 10 points on 5-of-17 shooting, 0-of-7 from long range.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Lakers #rally #win #lead #Rockets

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Deadspin | Stephon Castle, Wemby-less Spurs snag series edge against Blazers <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28806244.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28806244.jpg" alt="NBA: Playoffs-San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 24, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) during the first half of game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Stephon Castle hit for 33 points and rookie reserve Dylan Harper added career bests of 27 points and 10 boards as the visiting San Antonio Spurs roared back to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 on Friday in Game 3 of a first-round Western Conference playoff series.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>San Antonio erased a 15-point third-quarter deficit and took a 2-1 lead in the series. Game 4 is set for Portland on Sunday.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The Spurs won with Victor Wembanyama on the bench after their star player was ruled out prior to the game because of concussion protocol. He sustained a head injury in the second quarter of Game 2 on Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Spurs trailed by six points at halftime and were down 82-67 past the midpoint of the third quarter before roaring back to take an 88-87 lead into the fourth. Harper scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds in the third to lead the comeback.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Harper then posted San Antonio’s first 10 points of the fourth quarter to help the visitors forge a 15-1 run that built a 108-96 lead with 5:48 to play. The Trail Blazers closed to within nine points on Jrue Holiday’s layup with 2:47 left but would never seriously challenge again.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>De’Aaron Fox added 18 points for the Spurs, with Luke Kornet racking up 14 points and 10 rebounds while Devin Vassell contributed 11 points.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Holiday finished with 29 points to lead Portland. Scoot Henderson added 21, Deni Avdija scored 19, Jerami Grant tallied 13 and Robert Williams put up 11 for the Trail Blazers. Donovan Clingan grabbed 11 rebounds, and Avdija handed out nine assists.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Portland led 29-27 after the first quarter. San Antonio was up 41-35 before the Trail Blazers rode Holiday’s eight straight points as part of an 18-4 run that produced a 53-45 lead.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Grant’s 3-pointer with nine seconds left allowed Portland to carry a 65-59 lead to the break.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Castle racked up 19 points to lead all scorers in the first half. Holiday’s 17 points paced the Trail Blazers before halftime.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Portland expanded its lead to 15 points after a pair of free throws by Grant with 5:09 to play in the third, but the rest of the quarter belonged to the Spurs.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Stephon #Castle #Wembyless #Spurs #snag #series #edge #Blazers

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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