In an 0-1 scenario for the second time this postseason, the San Antonio Spurs didn\u2019t sound like they were hitting the panic button after their Game 1 loss to kick off the 2026 NBA Finals. Nor should they: Even near the end of what was a rough 2nd half where they were outscored 57-40, the Spurs still held a 2-point lead with less than two minutes to go and with the game looking primed for a photo finish before an 11-0 Knicks run sent fans heading to the exits. Still though, games this deep into the postseason hinge almost entirely in the margins. In other words, who\u2019s doing the little things that can help a team pick up wins when shots aren\u2019t falling? In Game 1 it was the Knicks coming up with all those hustle plays and loose balls. If the Spurs want to avoid heading to the Mecca in an 0-2 hole, they\u2019ll need to flip that script on its head tonight in Game 2.<\/p>\n
San Antonio Spurs (0-1) vs New York Knicks (1-0)
June 5 2026 | 7:30 PM CT
Watch: ABC | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Line: San Antonio -6.5<\/p>\n
Spurs Injuries: None<\/p>\n
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Knicks Injuries: Mitchell Robinson<\/a>, finger (probable)<\/p>\n What to watch for<\/p>\n As has been the case since he was drafted, everything the Spurs do on offense and defense revolves around Victor Wembanyama. He\u2019s had an eventful postseason in his first playoff run, with moments ranging from the historical (NBA record 12 blocks in Game 1 against Minnesota<\/a>) to the flat-out ridiculous (40\/20 Game 1 against OKC<\/a>, picking up his first Game 7 victory on the road). Along the way though, there\u2019s been a few headscratchers, the sort of games that have all the talking heads and social media boo-birds getting on their soapbox in between games about what he needs to do to overcome his current shortcomings. The aftermath of his 6\/21 shooting performance in Game 1 has been no different, but the best thing about this postseason, maybe even more than this Finals appearance itself, has been watching him respond with exactly what San Antonio needs from him to come away with wins. The Knicks\u2019 defense will have a say, but expect Wembanyama to come out with something to prove tonight, just as he\u2019s done time and time again this season, especially when the moment demands it.<\/p>\n Jalen Brunson went just 12\/31 from the field overall, but he was 5\/9 in the 4th quarter, scoring 13 of his 30 points when it mattered most for the Knicks. The Spurs did a good job at contesting on a lot of those looks, but the fact that he was able to get 31 shots off against what has been an excellent San Antonio defense all season is a testament to the type of offensive player he is and also the sort of trust the Knicks have in him. Knowing what they\u2019re going to get on the offensive end in the waning moments of a close game by putting the ball in Brunson\u2019s hands is an advantage New York has over the Spurs in this series, but at least the Spurs know that he\u2019s gonna be the one coming.<\/p>\n