The New York Knicks continue to make history during their remarkable playoff run, and one statistic stands out above the rest. Since April 23, the night former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL Draft, the Knicks have not lost a game.
That streak reached 13 consecutive playoff wins Friday night after New York escaped with a dramatic 105-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. The win gave the Knicks a 2-0 series lead and extended their unbeaten stretch to 43 days.
The 13-game playoff winning streak is the second-longest in NBA postseason history. Only the 2017 Golden State Warriors, who won 15 straight games en route to a championship, have produced a longer run. Mike Brown was part of that Warriors coaching staff and now has the Knicks two wins away from ending the franchise's championship drought that dates back to 1973.
Game 2 featured another balanced New York effort. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each scored 20 points. OG Anunoby contributed 17 points, and Landry Shamet continued his strong postseason form with another productive performance off the bench.
The Knicks overcame several challenges. Brunson shot just 7-for-25 from the field and committed four turnovers. Towns dealt with foul trouble after picking up his fourth foul midway through the third quarter. Josh Hart went scoreless and played only 17 minutes while battling foul issues. Despite those setbacks, New York still found a way to win.
San Antonio mounted a furious comeback after trailing by 14 points midway through the fourth quarter. A 14-0 Spurs run tied the game at 97, and Victor Wembanyama's three-point play with 57 seconds remaining gave San Antonio a 104-102 lead.
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Brunson answered with a basket to tie the score before the game's closing sequence. After Wembanyama grabbed a rebound with under 20 seconds remaining, he attempted an outlet pass that resulted in a turnover. Brunson was fouled and made one of two free throws with 9.5 seconds left to put the Knicks ahead by one.
The Spurs had one final chance, but Wembanyama's jumper from 20 feet hit the back rim as time expired.
Wembanyama finished with 29 points, nine rebounds and four blocks after scoring only seven points in the first half. De'Aaron Fox added 20 points, while rookie Dylan Harper scored 15 off the bench.
History strongly favors New York from here. Teams that take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals are 32-5 all-time. The Knicks have also become just the third team ever to win the first two Finals games on the road, joining the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets, both eventual champions.
The series now shifts to Madison Square Garden, where New York will host its first NBA Finals game since 1999.
The New York Knicks continue to make history during their remarkable playoff run, and one statistic stands out above the rest. Since April 23, the night former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL Draft, the Knicks have not lost a game.