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It was a tough first half for Victor Wembanyama on Friday night.
The San Antonio Spurs’ alien-like phenom scored just seven points in the first 24 minutes of Game 2 of the NBA Finals, and despite rallying in the second half, it wasn’t enough as the New York Knicks took a 2-0 series lead.
The refs certainly seemed to tilt toward San Antonio all night, and a moment in the second quarter helped the public’s cause.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama looks on during the second half of game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026. (Scott Wachter/Imagn Images)
With San Antonio up 37-32, Dylan Harper drove to the hoop but missed a contested shot and the ball was up for grabs. With Wembanyama, listed at 7-foot-4, on the floor, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he ever got an offensive rebound.
However, he was boxed out by Knicks guard Jose Alvarado, whose minutes are sparse.
Alvarado could have gotten away with hard contact as he started the box out, but Wembanyama may have just gotten away with a blatant foul after wrapping both of his arms close to Alvarado’s neck and dropping him like a rag doll. Wembanyama then asked for a whistle for Alvarado but never got one.
Wembanyama was also ejected for the first time for a flagrant foul in the Western Conference Finals.
New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado dribbles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026. (Scott Wachter/Imagn Images)
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Wembanyama scored 22 points in the second half and stepped it up in the fourth quarter, but it was all for naught after a costly turnover. After a rebound with less than 15 seconds left, Wembanyama threw a pass to a teammate who wasn’t looking and it hit his back. Jalen Brunson was able to pick up the ball, draw a foul and knock down a free throw.
The Frenchman had the ball in his hands for the potential game-winning basket but missed, giving the Knicks a thrilling 105-104 win.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama reacts during the first half of game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026. (Scott Wachter/Imagn Images)
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No team has ever won an NBA Finals after losing both of the first two games at home, though that’s a small sample size — only the 1993 Phoenix Suns and 1995 Orlando Magic did the same.
