The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks both won Game 2 of their respective NBA Conference Semifinals on Thursday.
These victories shift the momentum of the postseason, allowing the Spurs to recover from an early deficit and the Knicks to maintain control of their series.
In the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves to even their series at 1-1 [1]. The victory served as a response following the Spurs' loss in Game 1 [2]. While some reports indicate the Spurs won in blowout fashion [2], other accounts suggest a closer contest. One report said the Timberwolves won 104-102 [3], though the primary consensus from the NBA and CBS Sports indicates a Spurs victory in Game 2 [1, 2].
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers [1]. The Knicks successfully defended their home court to stay ahead in the series [2]. The win keeps New York in a strong position as the teams prepare to shift the series away from Madison Square Garden.
Both teams faced significant pressure to perform in the second game of the round. For San Antonio, the win prevents a 0-2 hole that is historically difficult to overcome in the playoffs. For New York, the result validates their home-court advantage and puts the 76ers in a position where they must win on the road to avoid a deep deficit.
Analysts from the "Inside the NBA" program reacted to the outcomes, noting the impact of the wins on the trajectory of the 2026 playoffs. The Spurs' ability to bounce back quickly highlights their resilience, while the Knicks' victory underscores their stability at home [1].
“The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks both won Game 2 of their respective NBA Conference Semifinals.”
The results of Game 2 establish two different psychological states for the series. San Antonio has successfully neutralized Minnesota's early lead, turning the matchup into a toss-up. Conversely, the Knicks have leveraged their home-court advantage to put Philadelphia on the defensive, meaning the 76ers now face an uphill battle in the next leg of the series.
