Samwise NBA Newsletter
Monday, June 8, 2026
Knicks Edge Spurs 105–104 in NBA Finals Thriller, Take 2–0 Series Lead
The New York Knicks won a classic 105–104 over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night in San Antonio to take a 2–0 NBA Finals lead. The Spurs rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to briefly lead 104–102, but a catastrophic Victor Wembanyama turnover with 9.5 seconds left — his pass to Stephon Castle bounced off Castle’s back directly to Jalen Brunson — decided the game. Brunson, who finished with 20 points and five steals, converted one of two free throws to win it. Karl-Anthony Towns posted 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges contributed 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting for New York.
Knicks Carry Historic 13-Game Playoff Win Streak Into Madison Square Garden for Game 3
The New York Knicks enter Monday’s Game 3 at Madison Square Garden riding a 13-game NBA postseason winning streak — the second longest in a single postseason in league history — as they pursue their first championship since 1973. The run surpasses the 1998–99 San Antonio Spurs for that distinction. Their eight consecutive playoff road victories also ties an all-time record set by the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers. New York became only the third team to open an NBA Finals with a 2–0 road lead, joining the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets, both of whom went on to win the championship.
Sources: NBA.com, Yahoo Sports
Victor Wembanyama Owns Late Turnover That Sealed Spurs’ Game 2 Loss in the NBA Finals
Victor Wembanyama’s outlet pass with 9.5 seconds remaining bounced off Stephon Castle’s back, fell to Jalen Brunson, and led to the game-deciding sequence in the Knicks’ 105–104 Game 2 victory. Wembanyama had scored a go-ahead three-point play with 57 seconds left to put San Antonio up 104–102, but inadvertently handed Brunson the ball on the failed outlet pass. Brunson was fouled by Wembanyama on the play and converted the game-winning free throw. “I threw that one away. I messed up,” Wembanyama told reporters Sunday at Finals media day. Despite posting 29 points, nine rebounds, and four blocked shots, his four turnovers proved costly in the Spurs’ late collapse.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, NBA.com
NBA Rescinds Mitchell Robinson Technical Foul, Finds One Officiating Error in Finals Game 2
The NBA rescinded a technical foul assessed to Knicks center Mitchell Robinson for a shoving incident involving Victor Wembanyama in the second quarter of Game 2, the league confirmed this weekend. Officials initially called only Robinson for a technical foul, despite video showing Wembanyama retaliating with a shove of his own. The league’s official officiating report for the final two minutes found only one error — a potential kick ball by Luke Kornet — contradicting widespread criticism that Game 2 featured biased officiating. The Spurs shot 27 free throws to the Knicks’ 21, with Wembanyama leading all players with eight free throw attempts for the second consecutive game.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
Knicks’ Robinson, Shamet and McBride Fuel Historic Playoff Run From the Bench
The New York Knicks’ reserve unit has emerged as a key weapon in their run to the 2026 NBA Finals, with Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, and Miles McBride stepping up repeatedly through the postseason. Shamet, shooting 67.6 percent on 3-pointers in the postseason, scored 13 points for the second straight Finals game. Robinson played through a broken right pinkie finger — requiring surgery just days before the Finals began — to defensively shadow Victor Wembanyama in Game 2, forcing a crucial missed long 2-pointer in the closing seconds. McBride has averaged career highs in minutes, scoring, and 3-point percentage during the playoff run.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Karl-Anthony Towns Tops Finals MVP Ladder After 21-Point, 13-Rebound Game 2 Effort
Karl-Anthony Towns claimed the top spot on the NBA Finals MVP Ladder following his 21-point, 13-rebound performance in the New York Knicks’ 105–104 Game 2 win over San Antonio. Towns shot 8-of-12 from the field and was a dominant interior force against Victor Wembanyama. NBA.com noted Towns has been putting on an impressive display of passing and does not need to be a 25-point scorer to be effective. Jalen Brunson ranks second on the ladder after scoring 20 points with five steals in Game 2, despite shooting 7-of-25 from the field. Victor Wembanyama, who totaled 29 points and nine rebounds, sits third.
Sources: NBA.com, NBC Sports
Austin Reaves Demands Maximum Contract From Los Angeles Lakers Ahead of Free Agency
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is seeking a maximum contract as he heads toward free agency this summer, sources reported in early June. Reaves is eligible for a five-year, $241 million deal from Los Angeles under the terms available as a re-signing team, or a four-year, $178.5 million contract from another team. The Lakers have made re-signing Reaves a priority following a season in which he averaged a career-high 23.3 points per game alongside Luka Doncic. Free agency officially opens June 30. Reaves has said he wants to remain a Laker, though his representatives are expected to seek maximum market value.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
NBA Playoffs 2026
NBA Finals
New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs — Knicks lead 2–0
Game 1: Knicks 105, Spurs 95 | Game 2: Knicks 105, Spurs 104
Game 3: Tonight at Madison Square Garden (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Conference Finals (Final)
East: Knicks def. Cavaliers 4–0
West: Spurs def. Thunder 4–3
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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