Despite the Iran war, rising inflation and worries about rising government debt, US stock markets continue to hit all-time highs this year. That’s largely driven by the huge boom in investment in Artificial Intelligence.

The apparent mismatch between sky high stock market valuations and the real economy is beginning to set off some alarm bells ringing among investors. BBC’s Samira Hussain reports from Wall Street.

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs will look to even the 2026 NBA Finals series when they host the New York Knicks in Game 2 on Friday night at Frost Bank Center, after dropping a hard-fought Game 1 at home that saw the visitors rally for a victory.

The Knicks took a 1-0 series lead with a 105-95 win in Game 1 on Thursday, overcoming an early deficit thanks to strong fourth-quarter execution and defensive intensity. Jalen Brunson led New York with 30 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a double-double. Victor Wembanyama paced the Spurs with 26 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson expressed confidence in his team’s ability to respond. The Spurs, who finished the regular season with one of the league’s best records, are expected to be sharper at both ends of the floor in front of a passionate home crowd.

Game 1 Recap and Key Takeaways

In Game 1, the Knicks overcame a double-digit deficit to pull away late, limiting the Spurs to just 19 points in the fourth quarter. New York’s playoff win streak reached new heights, showcasing the resilience that carried them through the Eastern Conference playoffs. Brunson’s leadership and the frontcourt presence of Towns proved decisive against San Antonio’s interior defense.

For the Spurs, fatigue may have played a role in the late collapse, as noted by analysts following the game. Wembanyama’s individual brilliance was evident, but supporting cast contributions will need to improve for San Antonio to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole heading to Madison Square Garden.

Matchup Analysis and Strategic Outlook

The Spurs enter Game 2 as home favorites, with betting lines around 5.5 points in their favor. The total is set near 214.5 points, reflecting expectations of a tighter, more competitive contest after Game 1’s lower-scoring affair.

San Antonio’s defensive schemes will likely focus on containing Brunson and disrupting the Knicks’ pick-and-roll actions. Wembanyama’s versatility on both ends remains the cornerstone, with potential for increased minutes and impact if the Spurs can push the pace selectively. Improved three-point shooting and rebounding margins will be critical.

The Knicks, riding high after stealing Game 1 on the road, will aim to maintain their defensive intensity and exploit any continued fatigue in the Spurs’ rotation. Brunson’s ability to create for teammates and Towns’ rebounding presence give New York multiple avenues for success. Coach Tom Thibodeau’s teams are known for physical, gritty play that wears down opponents over a series.

Analysts widely view this series as highly competitive, with home-court advantage potentially playing a significant role. The Spurs must protect their home floor to keep championship hopes alive, while the Knicks seek to build an insurmountable lead before the series shifts to New York.

Team Strengths and Roster Notes

The Spurs boast one of the league’s most dynamic young cores, headlined by Wembanyama’s generational talent. Their regular-season success stemmed from elite defense, efficient offense and depth. Adjustments in Game 2 could include more aggressive double-teaming and better ball movement to create open looks.

New York features a balanced attack with Brunson as the engine, supported by athletic wings and a physical frontcourt. Their playoff experience and recent hot streak make them dangerous on the road. Depth from the bench, including contributions from Mikal Bridges and others, has been a key factor in their postseason run.

Injuries have been minimal for both sides heading into Game 2, allowing coaches to deploy full rotations. Fatigue management will be paramount in what promises to be a physical, high-stakes matchup.

Broader Series Implications

A Spurs victory in Game 2 would tie the series at 1-1 and shift momentum back toward San Antonio, especially with the next two games scheduled for Madison Square Garden. An 0-2 deficit would place enormous pressure on the Spurs, as historical precedent shows teams rarely come back from such holes in the Finals.

Experts point to the Knicks’ road resilience and the Spurs’ home dominance as defining storylines. The series features contrasting styles: San Antonio’s modern, positionless basketball versus New York’s gritty, defense-first approach.

Historical Context and Fan Excitement

This Finals matchup pits two storied franchises against each other in a rare postseason clash. The Spurs’ championship pedigree under previous regimes contrasts with the Knicks’ resurgence in recent seasons. Fans in San Antonio are expected to create an electric atmosphere at Frost Bank Center, aiming to will their team to a response.

Broadcast coverage on ABC will bring the action to a national audience, with analysts anticipating adjustments from both coaching staffs. Pre-game narratives have focused on Wembanyama’s development under pressure and Brunson’s continued ascent among the league’s elite.

What to Watch in Game 2

Key storylines include Wembanyama’s rebounding battle against Towns, Brunson’s efficiency against San Antonio’s perimeter defense, and the effectiveness of bench units. Turnovers, three-point shooting variance and foul trouble could swing momentum quickly in a close contest.

Coaches will emphasize execution in half-court sets and transition opportunities. The Spurs need to start stronger to avoid playing catch-up, while the Knicks will look to sustain their defensive effort over 48 minutes.

As the series unfolds, both teams understand the high stakes. A win in Game 2 for the home side restores balance and sets up compelling storylines for the road games ahead. The Knicks, however, have shown they thrive in hostile environments and could seize control with another strong performance.

The basketball world will be watching to see if the Spurs can leverage home advantage or if the Knicks extend their remarkable run. Game 2 promises intensity, adjustments and potentially pivotal moments that could shape the championship outcome.

With tip-off approaching, anticipation builds in San Antonio and beyond. The Spurs’ response will test their championship mettle, while the Knicks aim to prove their Game 1 success was no fluke. This series is shaping up as a classic battle between emerging talent and veteran playoff savvy.

ET Now: There are two ways of looking at it the top level exits in Infosys. On the one hand, a lot of people say that there was a team that was probably not performing well and now they are exiting and that will probably be a positive for the stock over the long run. The sceptics, on the other hand, would argue that there are a lot of people who have been manning the company for the last many years and it is not a pint-sized company, but a Rs 1 lakh 70 thousand crore behemoth. Why have there been so many high profile exits in the company?

Mohandas Pai: There is a leadership vacuum in the company, because they made the wrong choice of CEO three years ago and that is playing out right now. The company has not performed and in June 2011, they had appointed three members on the board and all three of them have gone now and all three have been extraordinary individuals.

Ashok Vemuri is now the CEO of another company, V Balakrishnan had left and has started his own fund and BG Srinivas, I am told, would now be joining some other company as CEO.

So obviously, all three have been CEO materials. It is obvious that the chemistry did not work, or they were not fully empowered. There is a need for the board to sit down and work out a good succession plan and put a new team in place because the entire layer of people below the executive board are now gone and many of them were outstanding performers.

Yes, a few of them possibly were not pulling the weight, but it is not possible that all of them were not doing so. They were extraordinary people and they are performing at other places.