The New York Knicks moved within two victories of their first NBA championship in more than five decades, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Friday night at Frost Bank Center.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns once again led the charge for the visitors, who erased an early deficit and held off a late Spurs push to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. The Knicks, riding a franchise-record playoff winning streak, will return home to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 with momentum firmly in their favor.

Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ 22-year-old franchise cornerstone, had another challenging night against the physicality of the Knicks’ frontcourt. Towns outplayed the towering Frenchman for stretches, drawing praise from analysts for his dominance in the matchup. Wembanyama finished with limited impact in key moments, including missed opportunities in the closing possessions that contributed to the narrow defeat.

In his postgame comments, Wembanyama addressed the final stretch directly. “I’m still very blurry, and that’s the whole problem. I need to have more poise, more control over the game,” he said, referring specifically to the last three possessions. He added that the issues were concentrated there rather than the entire contest.

The remarks drew sharp analysis on ESPN’s “Inside the NBA,” where Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley offered pointed feedback on leadership and execution under pressure.

O’Neal, a four-time champion and Hall of Famer, pushed back on the phrasing. As a leader, one should take ownership more directly without suggesting a lack of focus, he argued, noting that such language could motivate opponents. Barkley and others on the panel echoed concerns about mental sharpness in high-stakes situations, while acknowledging Wembanyama’s youth and the difficulty of his first Finals appearance.

The panel also dissected the game’s critical final sequences. With the score tied at 104 late, decision-making on both ends came under scrutiny. Analysts debated shot selection, the absence of a timeout in certain spots, and the need for better offensive rebounding chances rather than relying on a single possession. Kenny Smith and others highlighted the importance of giving a team multiple opportunities in clutch moments.

Series Context and Key Performances

The Knicks entered Game 2 seeking to build on their Game 1 victory, a 105-95 road win in which Brunson scored 30 points, including a strong fourth quarter. Towns contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds in that opener.

In Game 2, the visitors again showed resilience. Brunson orchestrated the offense with poise, while Towns exploited mismatches against Wembanyama. The Knicks closed strong, capitalizing on defensive stands and timely scoring to secure the one-point victory.

For the Spurs, the loss at home stings as they face the prospect of a 0-2 deficit heading to New York. Wembanyama has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the playoffs, but the physical toll and tactical adjustments by the Knicks have tested his adaptability. Critics, including O’Neal, have called for more interior aggression and mental adjustments to counter the experienced Knicks core.

Barkley noted the matchup challenges, pointing out that Towns’ confidence and style created difficulties for the Spurs’ defense. Wembanyama was forced into uncomfortable areas, often playing away from the basket as a help defender, limiting his offensive rhythm.

Broader Implications

This Finals matchup pits two contrasting styles: the gritty, experienced Knicks against a Spurs team built around generational talent in Wembanyama. San Antonio’s path to contention accelerated rapidly under coach Gregg Popovich’s influence, but the current series exposes the gap in playoff experience.

Analysts across platforms emphasized patience for Wembanyama, drawing parallels to other young stars’ early Finals struggles. At 22, he remains a foundational piece expected to anchor the franchise for years. Yet, immediate adjustments in poise, post play, and decision-making are seen as essential if the Spurs hope to extend the series.

The Knicks’ ability to win on the road in back-to-back games underscores their depth and coaching. Brunson’s leadership and Towns’ versatility have proven decisive. New York has now won 14 straight playoff games, a remarkable run that has silenced doubters who questioned their path through the Eastern Conference.

Looking Ahead

Game 3 shifts to Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks will aim to take a stranglehold on the series. The Spurs must find answers defensively and offensively, particularly in maximizing Wembanyama’s unique skill set against New York’s physical frontcourt.

O’Neal and the “Inside the NBA” crew highlighted the human element, noting that even legends face adversity. Wembanyama’s growth trajectory positions him as a future face of the league, but the present demands immediate execution.

As the series progresses, focus remains on execution in the margins — late-game possessions, rebounding battles, and mental fortitude. The Knicks hold the advantage, but the Spurs’ home resilience earlier in the postseason suggests they are far from finished.

The largest U.S. banks plan to launch a tokenized deposit network next year, an attempt to stave off threats from crypto companies that are seeking to wade deeper into their territory under President Trump. 

The new network will connect traditional payment rails with the infrastructure that digital assets run on. It will be operated by a real-time payment network company called the Clearing House, which is co-owned by

JPMorgan Chase

JPM

0.48%

increase; green up pointing triangle, Bank of America

BAC -0.11%

decrease; red down pointing triangle, Citigroup C -1.98%decrease; red down pointing triangle, Wells Fargo WFC 0.39%increase; green up pointing triangle and other large commercial banks.

A boom in cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds has given investors more ways to buy digital assets over the past 2½ years, after U.S. regulators approved spot crypto funds. But investor demand remains concentrated in low-cost bitcoin and Ethereum products from major issuers such as BlackRock and Fidelity Investments.

Many newer products are struggling to attract meaningful assets or reach viable scale. Analysts warn that as many as a third of crypto ETFs could shut within two years, leaving investors with an unwelcome disruption. Read more:

This refers to your edit ‘India needs new banks’ (ET, Mar 4). Financial inclusion and financial literacy will be the paramount objective while implementing reforms along with UID project to protect the interests of poor. Modern banking system has lost apersonal touch. Even citizens from semi-urban areas are reluctant to use ATMs. NextGen banking may fail in rural areas. It’s true we need more banks and innovative way of thinking, competition will drive away inefficient players.

ET has also suggested the perfect solution to the problem in the same edition, ‘Before they compete, let banks consolidate’. Narasimhan panel too has suggested to have less number of banks with more branches at the national level. The author has pointed out that of 9,000 private bank branches, just 1,138 are located in rural areas. This means they are not keen to go rural.

Shishir Sindekar,

Nasik, March 4

This article was written by

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NEW YORK — The New York Knicks survived a furious fourth-quarter comeback by the San Antonio Spurs to secure a 105-104 victory in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Friday night, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead and extending their postseason winning streak to 13 games.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 21 points, while Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each added 20 in a contest marked by momentum swings and clutch moments. Victor Wembanyama paced the Spurs with 29 points but missed a potential game-winning jumper with two seconds remaining, sealing New York’s narrow escape at Frost Bank Center.

The win moved the Knicks within two victories of their first NBA championship since 1973. No team has ever come back from an 0-2 deficit in the Finals after losing both home games. Game 3 shifts to Madison Square Garden on Monday.

Dramatic Fourth Quarter Decides Outcome

The Spurs erased a 14-point Knicks lead in the second half with a 14-0 run that gave them their first lead of the half at 104-102 on a Wembanyama layup with 39 seconds left. However, a critical turnover and defensive lapse proved costly.

After rebounding a missed shot by Brunson with 13 seconds remaining and the score tied at 104, Wembanyama passed to a teammate who was not looking, allowing Brunson to steal the ball. Wembanyama then fouled Brunson as he fell out of bounds. Brunson made the first free throw for a one-point lead but missed the second, giving San Antonio one final chance.

De’Aaron Fox set up Wembanyama for an open 20-foot jumper, but the 7-foot-4 superstar’s shot rimmed out, ending the Spurs’ hopes.

“A great player got a great shot, it just didn’t go in,” Towns said on the ABC broadcast.

Knicks coach Mike Brown praised his team’s resilience. “They made a run, we made a run, they made a run, we made a run,” Brown said. “We could have folded a few times but our guys just kept fighting. … No matter what run they went on, no matter the time of the game, our guys just kept uplifting one another.”

The Knicks shot 15 three-pointers successfully, many from role players who compensated for Brunson’s 7-for-25 performance. San Antonio struggled in the second quarter but mounted a desperate charge in the fourth.

Wembanyama’s Growing Pains in First Finals

Wembanyama finished 11 for 21 from the field but took only four shots in the first half, prompting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson to call the effort “not acceptable.” The young phenom had carried San Antonio through the playoffs in his first postseason, but the Knicks’ depth and physicality posed new challenges.

The Spurs led by as many as 12 points early but went cold from the field, allowing New York to build a halftime advantage. Despite the loss, Wembanyama’s late heroics nearly forced overtime in a game many are calling an instant classic.

Knicks’ Historic Postseason Run

New York’s victory extended an impressive playoff run that includes eight straight road wins. The franchise has not reached this stage since the early 1970s, and the current roster’s blend of star power and depth has made them favorites to close out the series.

Towns and Brunson have formed a formidable inside-out duo, while Bridges and supporting cast members have delivered timely contributions. The Knicks’ ability to withstand San Antonio’s runs demonstrated the mental toughness built throughout the season.

Series Outlook and Game 3 Implications

With the series shifting to Madison Square Garden, the Knicks will look to capitalize on home-court energy to build an insurmountable lead. The Spurs, facing elimination pressure, must find answers for New York’s perimeter shooting and interior dominance.

San Antonio’s youth and inexperience in the Finals showed in critical moments, but their resilience suggests they will not go quietly. Wembanyama’s growth under pressure remains a central storyline as the series progresses.

Broader NBA Finals Context

The 2026 Finals pit two contrasting styles: New York’s gritty, defense-first approach against San Antonio’s modern, positionless offense led by a generational talent in Wembanyama. The Knicks’ experience and home dominance give them a clear edge, but the Spurs have proven capable of upsetting expectations.

Fans in Brooklyn celebrated wildly at local bars as the final buzzer sounded, chanting “Knicks in four!” The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 is expected to be electric as New York inches closer to ending a 53-year championship drought.

The series has delivered compelling basketball early, with Game 2’s late drama living up to the high stakes of the NBA’s showcase event. As the action moves east, both teams will make adjustments, but New York’s momentum and home advantage position them strongly.

The Knicks’ ability to close out games against a surging opponent bodes well for their championship aspirations. For the Spurs, avoiding an 0-3 deficit will require sharper execution and continued belief in their young core.

As the 2026 NBA Finals unfold, the basketball world watches to see if the Knicks can complete their long-awaited journey or if the Spurs can engineer a historic comeback. Friday’s thrilling victory has set a high bar for the remainder of what promises to be a memorable series.

NEW YORK — The New York Times Connections puzzle for Saturday, June 6, 2026, challenged players with clever word groupings centered around everyday concepts, emotions, animals and common phrases, with the solution now available for those seeking to verify their results or catch up on the daily brain teaser.

Puzzle number 1091 featured 16 words that solvers had to categorize into four groups of four, each linked by a unifying theme. The puzzle maintained the game’s signature balance of straightforward and tricky connections, delivering an engaging mental workout for millions of daily players worldwide.

Today’s Connections Groups and Answers

Yellow Category (Easiest): Pillar Words: POLE, POST, SHAFT, STAKE

Green Category: Indicate, as Emotions Words: BETRAY, DISPLAY, EXPRESS, REGISTER

Blue Category: Kinds of Lizards Words: BASILISK, DRAGON, MONITOR, SKINK

Purple Category (Hardest): _____ Table Words: DINNER, DRAFTING, ROUND, TIMES

The yellow group focused on structural supports or upright objects, while the green category captured ways emotions or feelings can be shown or revealed. The blue group required knowledge of reptile terminology, and the purple category tested familiarity with compound phrases involving different types of “tables.”

Many players found the yellow and green groups accessible through logical deduction, while the blue and purple categories demanded more specialized vocabulary or lateral thinking. The mix kept the puzzle fresh and rewarding for both casual and dedicated solvers.

How Players Tackled Saturday’s Puzzle

Solvers typically started by identifying obvious clusters, such as potential synonyms or thematic links. Early recognition of emotion-related verbs often led to the green group, while spotting structural terms helped unlock yellow. The lizard category surprised some with its specificity, and the “_____ Table” theme rewarded those familiar with idiomatic expressions.

Community discussions highlighted the satisfaction of completing the puzzle in fewer mistakes, with many sharing their solve paths and occasional near-misses on social platforms. The New York Times’ Connections Companion provided hints and post-game analysis for those wanting deeper insights.

Connections’ Continued Popularity

Since its launch, Connections has become a staple alongside Wordle in the New York Times’ expanding word game portfolio. The game’s format — categorizing 16 words into four themed groups — encourages pattern recognition, vocabulary expansion and collaborative solving among friends and online communities.

On June 6, 2026, puzzle 1091 continued this tradition, drawing participants who appreciate its daily reset and increasing difficulty gradient. The social sharing feature, which allows players to post emoji grids without spoiling answers, has been key to its viral appeal and community building.

Analysts credit the game’s success to its perfect blend of challenge and accessibility. Unlike purely luck-based games, Connections rewards knowledge, deduction and persistence, making victories feel earned. The New York Times carefully curates words to avoid obscurity while maintaining engagement.

Strategies for Mastering Connections

Experienced players recommend scanning for standout words that might fit multiple categories as starting points. Looking for synonyms, homophones, proper nouns or thematic clusters often accelerates progress. Saving the most difficult category for last, as the game suggests through its color coding, helps maintain momentum.

For Saturday’s puzzle, focusing on versatile words like “POST” or “DRAGON” provided strong entry points. Regular play builds intuition for common connection types, such as compound phrases, categories of animals or emotional expressions.

The game also offers educational value, exposing players to new vocabulary and cultural references. Teachers and language enthusiasts frequently incorporate it into learning routines for its cognitive benefits.

Cultural Phenomenon and Community

Connections has fostered vibrant online discussions on Reddit, X and Discord, where players compare solve times, share strategies and celebrate streaks. The June 6 puzzle sparked conversations about lizard species and idiomatic uses of “table,” showcasing the game’s ability to spark curiosity.

Its influence extends beyond entertainment, appearing in workplace icebreakers, family game nights and even corporate team-building activities. The daily ritual provides a shared cultural moment in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

Looking Forward in the NYT Games Calendar

As Connections continues its steady run, anticipation builds for future puzzles that test solvers’ ingenuity. The New York Times maintains a careful balance in word selection, ensuring puzzles remain fair while varying in difficulty.

Companion games like Wordle, Spelling Bee and the Mini Crossword offer additional daily challenges within the same ecosystem, creating a comprehensive word game experience for enthusiasts.

Saturday’s solution exemplified the game’s appeal: straightforward enough for broad participation yet clever enough to delight word lovers. Whether solved perfectly or with a few mistakes, each puzzle contributes to players’ growing linguistic agility and daily sense of accomplishment.

For those who missed the June 6 edition, past puzzles remain accessible through the archive. The beauty of Connections lies in its consistent fresh start each day, allowing players to reset and improve regardless of previous performance.

As millions worldwide continue engaging with the game, it reinforces the joy of language, pattern recognition and collective problem-solving. Puzzle 1091, with its pillars, emotions, lizards and tables, joins the ever-growing list of Connections challenges that unite players in a simple yet intellectually stimulating daily ritual.