The New York Knicks survived a late rally by the San Antonio Spurs to win 105-104 and take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals as they seek a first championship in 53 years.
With nine and a half seconds remaining on the clock, Jalen Brunson stole possession after Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama passed the ball into team-mate Stephon Castle’s back.
Wembanyama then fouled Benson, who converted the free-throw to give the Knicks the decisive point.
There was still time for Wembanyama to attempt to tie the game for the Spurs, but he missed from 20 feet on the buzzer to hand the Knicks their 13th successive play-off victory.
Wembanyama has been at the centre of much of the drama in the NBA Finals so far – in game one, he was approached by a spectator who ran on to the court, filming himself on his phone.
Appearing in the Finals for the first time since 1999, the Knicks are the third team to win the first two games of a Finals away from home.
The Chicago Bulls did it in 1993, and the Houston Rockets in 1995. Each side went on to win the championship.
After a quiet first-half performance, Wembanyama led a Spurs’ comeback, scoring 22 second-half points as they caught up with 14-in-a-row in the final quarter.
In the final seconds, the scores were level as the Frenchman passed the ball into Castle’s back, which gave Brunson a chance to grab the winning basket.
In a post-match news conference, Wembanyama conceded that he was not at his best, having starred on the Spurs’ route to the Finals.
“We need to never get too high and never get too low,” said the 22-year-old, appearing in the Finals for the first time. “Personally, I think I could have been better in recovering from the high of the conference finals.
“I threw that [misplaced pass] away. I messed up.
“Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and to fuel us next game? Absolutely.”
Meanwhile, match-winner Brunson credited the team environment for his sparkling form after his final-quarter scoring also won game one for the Knicks.
“I think most importantly, knowing we’re on the road, and knowing my team-mates have my back, I think that’s the biggest thing in an environment like this,” Brunson said.
“The trust they have in me and the trust I have in them, it’s got us to this point.”
The best-of-seven series continues on Monday, when the Knicks host the Spurs at Madison Square Gardens in New York City.
US president Donald Trump, who was born in New York City, plans to attend as the Knicks hunt their first championship since 1973.
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