Victor Wembanyama error hands New York Knicks 2-0 lead in NBA Finals
A costly late turnover from Victor Wembanyama allowed the New York Knicks to secure a dramatic 105-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
The narrow defeat leaves the Texas franchise trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven championship series.
San Antonio had mounted an impressive 14-point comeback in the fourth quarter to level the score at 104-104 with just 12.7 seconds remaining.
After claiming a crucial defensive rebound, Wembanyama attempted to launch a rapid counter-attack but inadvertently threw the ball against the back of retreating team-mate Stephon Castle.
Wembanyama admits urgency disrupted comeback
The stray pass fell directly to Jalen Brunson, forcing the Frenchman into a desperate foul that resulted in the game-winning free throw.
The 20-year-old centre took full responsibility for the chaotic sequence that squandered their hard-fought resurgence.
“That’s the most frustrating thing: to throw it away after putting in all this work,” Wembanyama said.
“I threw that one away. I messed up. It’s like the body reacts quicker than the mind.”
Despite the severe miscommunication, Castle defended his own positioning on the decisive play.
“I didn’t see him throw it to me,” the point guard explained. “I see Vic has the ball, tie game. I was just trying to give Vic space.”
Historical odds stacked against San Antonio
The Knicks unexpectedly offered one final opportunity for a rescue, but Wembanyama missed a contested 20-foot jump shot over Mitchell Robinson at the buzzer.
That final miss highlights a concerning statistical trend for the towering forward in clutch situations.
He has now converted just one of his nine go-ahead field goal attempts in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime throughout his career.
The Spurs face a monumental challenge to keep their championship hopes alive in Game 3.
No team in NBA Finals history has ever recovered to win the title after losing the opening two games on their home court.
