BASKETBALL – Jalen Brunson stole the ball and converted the go-ahead free throw with 9.5 seconds left, moving the New York Knicks halfway to their first NBA title since 1973 after a 105-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama missed a 20-foot shot before time expired as New York jumped to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
The Knicks claimed their 13th straight postseason victory, passing the 1999 Spurs for the second-longest such streak in NBA history.
Brunson, who scored 20 points, picked up his fifth steal when Wembanyama threw the ball off the back of teammate Stephon Castle, who was in the backcourt heading towards the midcourt line.
Brunson was fouled and split two free throws to give New York a one-point lead.
Karl-Anthony Towns produced 21 points and 13 rebounds and Mikal Bridges scored 20 as the Knicks racked up their eighth consecutive road victory.
OG Anunoby added 17 points, and Landry Shamet scored 13 for New York, which squandered a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter before recovering.
Wembanyama totalled 29 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots while De’Aaron Fox scored 20 points for the Spurs.
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