Put the Lime In The Coconut

Quick thoughts post game 

Game Date – June 5, 2026

Location:  Frost Bank Center  / San Antonio, Texas, USA

With a thrilling 105 to 104 victory, the New York Knicks now take a commanding lead of 2 (two) games to 0 (zero) over the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals.  They are now headed back to the ‘Big Apple’ for two games, the first on Monday the  8th, and then Wednesday the 10th.

The Knicks leave Texas hoping not to return.  Empowered by hard fought road victories and in charge of their own destiny the Knicks want to sweep the Spurs on their home court, Madison Square Garden..

Despite having lost two games, the Spurs have displayed a  never give up attitude.  Tonight,  this effort brought them to a one point lead with 1 minute remaining in the game, after being behind the entire second half.  But it wasn’t;t enough to savor victory.

Wembanya stated after the game, “I messed that up” – pausing to contemplate before he spoke on the matter –  “I messed up that one, its is on me”,   In a hazy state of mind  was the word he used to describe the events at the end of the game.

… vowing to use this loss to move immediately forward and motivation to prepare for game three in NYC at Madison Square Garden.   

Explaining, as a player you need not to get too excited and too high over the wins, and not too low over this championship games.  It’s (the game) is over,  there is nothing that can be changed … … .

We did concede that perhaps he got to thrilled for too long over the Wetsern Conference playoff win last week.  Admiring, that this could be something which has contributed to his sub par performance contrary to in his usual domination of the game.  His defense has remained sufficient, his statistics low,  and his offense performance appeared poor in the first game , and first half of the second game in the finals.  In the second half of game two (2), his offense output improved.  However costly mistakes determined the outcome of the game.

Karl – Anthony Towns is also undoubtedly a significant factor in Wembanyama’s offensive struggles.  Towns has demonstrated that he is a stronger and more balanced base inside ‘The Paint’ basketball player.  Towns has been a better power basketball player than Victor Wembanyama, so far,  in the finals during the first two games.

Knicks stars, Jalen Brunson and Karl Towns were not on the court when the Knicks gave their strongest resistance to the Spurs  3rd quarter exercised resistance

… Brunson was back in the game in its final minute to deliver game winning shots, despite being held to a dismal over all shooting performance going 7 for 31.  the Spurs were successful in their attentionto defense on Brunson.

Towns was also left on the bench, at the start of the fourth quarter,  … a noticable coaching decision that did not appear to provoke a counter reaction from Spurs head Coach, Mitchell Johnson,

the starters rested as the substitute players gained advantage of the Spurs …

 … rest, while … the Knicks subs increased a third quarter lead, Wembanyama was not on the floor,  …. the Knicks substitution group of players were  left on the floor by Head Coach, Mike Brown, at the start of the fourth  quarter, 

The subs set the table for the closers  Brunson and Towns …  

… …surprisingly,  top spur players also sat on the bench.

Again, as they have demonstrate throughout the playoffs,  the  Spurs started the game strong, controlling both ends of the court.  In a display of excellent coaching preparations and adjustment execution. 

The Spurs brought a few new wrinkles to their game plan.  Most obvious was a dominance of the defense over the fast scoring Knicks and scoring guard Jalen Bronson..

The  adjustments and effects were short lived, as the Knicks powered to a half time lead. ,

The Spurs may have played their best quarter of basketball this year, in the first quarter of the game.  But the 2nd quarter, the performance deteriorated …. .  Yet, the Spurs found themselves only down by four points at half time, 56 – 52. 

Turnovers and missed shots were leaving the Spurs searching for points.

The game was refereed in a manner that allowed both teams a display of ‘physical fighting basketball. 

The Knicks had more muscle and the Spurs 7’5″ Wembanyama was not able to perform inside the lane,   all he could do was drive toward the basket.  He does not appear to have any post move offense.

‘The Paint’ is not been kind to Victor in the Finals.

.  all Spurs were aggressive in their play defensive. … Victor fought hard … the entire team fought hard … they came back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter.  they took a one point lead … then, stupid mistakes decided the outcome, leaving fans and well wishers numb, as the Knicks celebrated in the Frost Center .

The young phenom, Victor Wembanyama, looked shaken, hesitant and bewildered throughout the first half on the offensive side of the court. A

It was a continuation of game one’s lackluster offensive performance , it extended up until the second half, as the Spurs trailed by as much as 14 points until late in the game.

Despite making numerous unforced mistakes and turnovers, they gallant hart fighting Spurs crawled their way to a lead and possession of the ball with a chance to win the game or force overtime.

Then disaster hit.   Victor Wembanyama began to dribble the ball in a change of court direction, and in panic and indecision, he tossed the ball into teammate Stephon Cassels back as he ran down the court.  In a loose ball scramble, the mistake was compounded as Wembanyama fouled Knick guard, Jalen Brunson, sending him to the free throw line , where he made the first of two free shots.

The Spurs called time out after they were able to gain possession of the ball.  The out of bounds allowed Wembanyama a chance to win the game with a last second 15 foot jump shot, which fell short as the game ending buzzer sounded.

The Knicks proved once again that they have a strong bench of substitute players, and experience filled clever experience in how to win NBA basketball games.

The Spurs strong determination not to concede was not enough to overcome the Knicks knowledge of hos the win.

Ref #25, Brown,  seems to appear in many playoff games that have an edge of rough play, confusion, and an inconsistent whistle.

His crew seems to spend a lot of time reviewing calls that apparently they missed.  He makes many strange call referee call during the many playoff games he is head referee. .  Tonight this was not the determining factor, but his methods control who stays in the game and who must sit out due to foul trouble.   He is a wily old ref that know how and when to adjust the score of a game

Spurs 104

Knicks 105

2026 NBA Finals

A GAME 2

After Game Immediate Remarks

After Game Immediate Remarks