The NBA Finals are heading back to New York, and the Knicks are two wins away from a championship.

In this episode of Hoops After Dark, Mike Cooper and Sam Kingery break down the Knicks’ 105-104 Game 2 win over the San Antonio Spurs, how New York took a 2-0 series lead, and why Victor Wembanyama’s late-game turnover may become the defining moment of the series.

The guys discuss why Game 2 felt closer than the series score suggests, how Karl-Anthony Towns has become a major answer for New York, why Landry Shamet’s minutes have changed the spacing, and whether Jalen Brunson can still take over despite not shooting well through the first two games.

Mike and Sam also dive into the Spurs’ biggest adjustments heading into Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, including whether Dylan Harper needs a larger role, why De’Aaron Fox has to stay aggressive, what San Antonio needs from its bench, and whether Wembanyama can deliver a monster response with the series on the line.

Plus, the guys debate Knicks fans, New York sports misery, Rick Brunson coaching Jalen Brunson during games, and whether the Spurs are already running out of time.

Topics Covered:

Knicks vs Spurs Game 2 recap
New York takes 2-0 NBA Finals lead
Victor Wembanyama late-game turnover
Can the Spurs still win the series?
Jalen Brunson shooting struggles
Karl-Anthony Towns’ impact
Landry Shamet’s role for the Knicks
Dylan Harper’s minutes and Spurs adjustments
De’Aaron Fox response game
Wembanyama vs Knicks defense
Madison Square Garden Game 3 preview
Rick Brunson and Jalen Brunson discussion
Knicks fans and New York sports talk
NBA Finals predictions

Chapters:

0:00 Intro and Knicks two wins away
0:38 Are the Knicks the least annoying New York team?
3:05 Why this Knicks run is a good story
5:09 Knicks take a 2-0 NBA Finals lead
5:47 Why Game 2 was closer than the series score
6:47 NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final comparison
7:23 Wembanyama’s late-game turnover
9:18 Should the Spurs have called timeout?
10:09 How one mistake swung Game 2
12:01 Why Game 3 is must-win for San Antonio
12:47 Can the Knicks handle the MSG pressure?
15:03 Should Dylan Harper start?
16:17 Spurs bench concerns
17:12 Why Harper needs more minutes
17:47 Rick Brunson coaching Jalen Brunson
21:32 Landry Shamet becomes an X-factor
22:10 Knicks spacing and small-ball adjustment
23:34 Jalen Brunson is not shooting well, but New York is winning
25:07 Karl-Anthony Towns’ impact against Wembanyama
26:37 Mikal Bridges and Knicks role players step up
27:36 De’Aaron Fox responds in Game 2
28:23 Spurs had enough support to win
29:31 Game 3 at Madison Square Garden
30:59 How MSG pressure could cut both ways
32:11 Wembanyama’s response starts everything
39:41 Knicks’ second and third quarter adjustments
41:28 Game 3 predictions
42:17 Final thoughts