SAN ANTONIO — For much of the second and third quarters of Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs appeared puzzled. After a second straight opening quarter in which they took a near double-digit lead into the second period, the Western Conference champions were outscored by 13 and and five in the second and third frames, respectively, by the New York Knicks. Then came the fourth quarter, and down 14 the Silver and Black made the type of run they've made several times this season, including in these playoffs.
Though they couldn't hold on to a late lead in the final minutes, the Spurs showed signs of life for the first time since the first quarter.
ClutchPoints asked De'Aaron Fox if that 14-0 run was simply the result of urgency or if the team found something they could exploit in their matchup vs. the Knicks.
“No, it's a game of runs. We were able to get stops, get out. Guys made big shots. The ball was moving.” Fox answered. “It's the NBA. Swings like that happen all the time.”
After taking an eight-point lead after the first quarter in Game 1, the Spurs enjoyed a nine-point advantage after the same frame in Game 2.
“I think we were up 12 at one point in the game. Even last game, I think we were up 13 at one point in the game. It's the NBA. You know that swings and points swings can happen in a matter of minutes,” Fox continued to ClutchPoints, alluding to a 14-point lead in Game 1.
"No, it's a game of runs. We were able to get stops, get out. Guys made big shots…Ball was moving. It's the NBA. Swings like that happen all the time…"
-talked w/De'Aaron Fox about whether the #Spurs did/saw something in the late rally differently or if it was simply urgency pic.twitter.com/5OD8aezV7n
— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) June 6, 2026
De'Aaron Fox gives honest assessment following Game 2
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Fox's offensive output has dipped in the playoffs. Dealing with a sprained ankle since the second round vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 28-year-old guard is third on the team in scoring in the postseason.
“For us, we've got to try to find a way to get easy baskets,” the ninth-year pro said. “Eleven fast-break points. I'm not sure what our transition points were, but we've got to figure out a way to play fast, off of misses, off of makes, get the ball out quick. Just figure out ways to get those type of baskets.”
Loaded with young offensive talent, San Antonio had scored under 105 points just twice through 18 playoff games heading into the Finals. Against New York, the Spurs failed to hit that mark twice with 105-95 and 105-104 outcomes in the Alamo City.
San Antonio shot just 26% from 3-point range in the opener of the championship series and just 36% overall. Though those numbers ticked up in Game 2, the Knicks still had an advantage from beyond the arc, hitting 15 3-pointers compared to Spurs' 11 in shooting a percentage point better.
Still, San Antonio gave itself an opportunity courtesy of that 14-0 rally.
“I don't know if we would say we deserved to win that game, but we were in that game and we had a chance,” Fox shared.
The Spurs now get a third chance at their first victory of the 2026 NBA Finals. Down 2-0, it may prove their last realistic chance to save their season.
SAN ANTONIO — For much of the second and third quarters of Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs appeared puzzled. After a second straight opening quarter in which they took a near double-digit lead into the second period, the Western Conference champions were outscored by 13 and and five in the second and third frames, respectively, by the New York Knicks.