Victor Wembanyama’s late turnover and missed jumper hand Knicks 105-104 win, 2-0 Finals lead [VIDEO]
The Spurs star grabbed a rebound with the game tied at 104, then threw a pass that hit Stephon Castle in the back
Victor Wembanyama committed a critical turnover and missed a game-winning jumper in the final seconds of Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals. The San Antonio Spurs lost 105-104 to the New York Knicks, dropping to 0-2 in the series as New York took a 2-0 lead heading back home to Madison Square Garden.
The Spurs had erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter with a 14-0 run, tying the game at 104-104. With under 15 seconds remaining, Wembanyama grabbed a defensive rebound after a missed jumper by Jalen Brunson. Instead of calling timeout or bringing the ball up, he threw a pass toward teammate Stephon Castle.
Wembanyama Missed the Game-Winning Jumper
With 7.5 seconds remaining, De’Aaron Fox inbounded the ball to Wembanyama for the potential game-winner. The 7-foot-4 star rose up for a contested jumper from 20-21 feet over Mitchell Robinson. The shot looked good coming off his hand but rimmed out strong off the back iron as time expired, sealing the Knicks’ victory.
Wembanyama delivered a strong overall performance with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 22 points in the second half that powered the Spurs’ comeback. He added 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks in 40 minutes, though the 4 turnovers stood out. His defensive presence remained elite throughout the night.
The sequence had started earlier when OG Anunoby grabbed a defensive rebound on a previous Wembanyama missed jumper around the 30-second mark. Robinson’s physical contest on the final shot forced a difficult look under heavy pressure. This portion of the game illustrated the razor-thin margin between a heroic fourth-quarter rally and a devastating loss in the NBA Finals. The Knicks now head home with firm control of the series.
The Turnover That Defined Game 2
Tied at 104 with under 15 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama held the rebound and had several options available. One was to call timeout to set up a play. Another was to dribble the ball upcourt himself. Or he could have made a deliberate pass. He chose the quick outlet to Stephon Castle. The pass hit Castle in the back for the live-ball turnover.
Jalen Brunson recovered and drew the foul, converting the go-ahead free throw. The Spurs never led again. This single play became the defining moment of Game 2 because it flipped momentum in seconds and exposed communication breakdowns that can plague even highly talented young teams in championship pressure.
Wembanyama owned the mistake in his post-game comments, earning respect for his accountability. At just 22 years old in his first NBA Finals, the experience served as a painful but valuable lesson. The Knicks, riding veteran execution and composure, capitalized perfectly and now take a 2-0 series lead back to Madison Square Garden.
How the Knicks’ Defense Sealed the Win
New York’s defense was the difference-maker in the closing minute. OG Anunoby’s rebound on Victor Wembanyama’s earlier missed jumper maintained pressure on the Spurs. The Knicks forced the turnover and secured the final stop with Mitchell Robinson contesting the game-winner.
Karl-Anthony Towns delivered 21 points and 13 rebounds, controlling the paint and supporting the defense. Jalen Brunson added crucial free throws after his strong Game 1 performance. Their collective composure in tight situations has defined the series so far.
The Spurs struggled with execution despite flashes of brilliance. Wembanyama’s 4 turnovers echoed some issues from Game 1. The Knicks have been the more experienced group in crunch time, turning defensive stops into scoring opportunities and now leading 2-0 heading home.
San Antonio’s Collapse Became the Talk of X and Other Platforms
The viral sequence spread rapidly across platforms with highlight clips and Instagram posts sparking intense debate. Users analyzed the missed jumper, the turnover off Castle’s back, and the final shot from every angle, breaking down each decision in real time as the clips circulated widely.
Comments ranged from supportive to highly critical. “A missed shot is not a mistake,” one fan wrote. Another said, “I don’t think a missed jump shot is a mistake. You don’t shoot to miss.” Defenders pointed to precedent: “Greek Freak was down 0-2 in 2021 Finals. It can get done Wemby.”
Knicks fans celebrated with comments like “Perfect😭. Let’s go Knicks!” and “The refs tried their best 😂.” Others called it Wembanyama’s “Kobe’s 4 airballs” moment. Some criticized teammates for not being ready for the pass or looking for Wembanyama in the final moments. Spurs supporters pushed back, noting his 22 second-half points and overall dominance before the costly errors.
The discourse showed the passionate divide in Finals fandom and drove massive engagement as fans debated youth versus experience, accountability, and whether this was a learning moment or a series-shifting collapse.
The Spurs Are in a 0-2 Hole
The Spurs have home-court advantage in the Finals. They lost both games in San Antonio. They now head to New York for Games 3 and 4.
No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in NBA history. The Spurs are not facing that yet. Additionally, 0-2 deficits have been overcome before. The 2006 Miami Heat, 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, and 2021 Milwaukee Bucks each did it. Now, the Spurs will need to do the same if they want to keep the series alive.
Wembanyama is 22 years old, making his NBA playoff debut. He is in his first Finals, having just played 40 minutes in Game 2. While he scored 29 points, he also made mistakes that proved costly in the closing moments.
He will have to learn from them quickly. The series is not over. But the margin for error is gone. San Antonio must find a way to execute better in clutch situations on the road or risk watching the Knicks close out the championship in short order.
Game 3 Is in New York
The Knicks will host the Spurs for Game 3 on June 8 at Madison Square Garden. New York has won 13 straight playoff games. They have not lost since the second round.
The Spurs need a win to avoid a 3-0 deficit. No team has ever recovered from that. The pressure is on San Antonio.
Wembanyama will have to be better. The Spurs will have to execute in the clutch. The Knicks will try to close out the series before it returns to San Antonio.
The Finals are not over. But they are close. One more win for the Knicks. One more loss for the Spurs. That is the difference between a series and a coronation. With the series shifting to Madison Square Garden, the Spurs face an uphill battle but still have the talent and fight to extend the series if they can clean up their late-game execution.