Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks defended Madison Square Garden to win Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Wednesday’s action.
The Knicks won a battle at Madison Square Garden 108-102, surviving 25 lead changes and 14 ties to take control late behind Jalen Brunson (26 pts).
The Spurs dominated the Timberwolves 133-95 behind Victor Wembanyama (19 pts, 15 reb, 2 blk), who was one of seven San Antonio players in double figures.
What we know after Tuesday’s games:
- Postgame Pressers:
- These series will be back Friday with a doubleheader on Prime Video.
- Knicks-76ers, 7 ET
- Spurs-Timberwolves, 9:30 ET
MAY 7, 2026 / 12:45 ET
Postgame Presser: Timberwolves-Spurs
LIVE: Timberwolves/Spurs Game 2 Postgame Presser
NBA Playoffs presented by @Google https://t.co/6ahB75C7EI
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2026
MAY 7, 2026 / 12:24 ET
Spurs win 133-95
A dominant performance from San Antonio.
Stephon Castle (21 pts) led six Spurs in double figures. They were in control from the early minutes, holding the Timberwolves to 38.8% shooting.
“We don’t care (about their experience advantage),” said Victor Wembanyama (19 pts, 15 reb, 1 stl, 2 blk).
San Antonio earned a 58-36 advantage in points in the paint and outran the Wolves for a 29-5 margin in fast break points.
Minnesota turned the ball over 22 times — that’s tied for the second-most they committed this season.
MAY 7, 2026 / 12:03 ET
Some San Antonio history
The Spurs have only won one Playoff game by 40+ points in their history.
They defeated the Nuggets 145-105 in Game 5 of the 1983 Western Conference Semifinals, led by George Gervin (26 pts), Johnny Moore (20 pts, 13 ast, 5 stl) and Artis Gilmore (17 pts, 15 reb).
MAY 6, 2026 / 11:50 ET
Spurs up 98-60 after three
It’s the biggest lead of the night for San Antonio.
The Spurs are shooting 46.3% from the field, including an 11-of-26 (42.3%) mark from 3-point range.
All five starters are in double figures, led by Victor Wembanyama (19 pts, 14 reb, 2 blk) and Stephon Castle (19 pts, 2 stl).
Julius Randle (12 pts) leads the way for Minnesota, which has 19 turnovers to 24 made field goals in the contest.
We’ve seen some feistiness as the Spurs have built their lead. These teams aren’t real comfortable with each other — it’ll be interesting to see how this game reverberates through the rest of the series.
MAY 6, 2026 / 11:44 ET
The Spurs are streaking
THE SPURS ARE ON FIRE IN GAME 2!
Champagnie swat.
Fox steal.
Champagnie 3. pic.twitter.com/7XDGNS6ywg— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2026
MAY 6, 2026 / 11:11 ET
Castle to the rack
Spurs continuing to dominate on ESPN. A strong response to the Game 1 defeat.
Castle spins, drives, and scores!
An acrobatic finish through contact 😤
He’s got 19 PTS as the Spurs lead in Q3 🍿 pic.twitter.com/sYFkjiQZ1f
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2026
MAY 6, 2026 / 10:51 ET
Spurs up 59-34 at the half
It’s the lowest-scoring half of the season for the Timberwolves, as the Spurs keep them without a double-digit scorer in the first half and limit them to 29.8% shooting.
It was a party in Frost Bank Center over the last few minutes of the first half. Highlights, lockdown defense, hustle — the Spurs had it on display, all with Victor Wembanyama resting on the bench.
San Antonio has a 34-16 advantage in points in the paint at the break and a 12-3 lead in fast break points.
MAY 6, 2026 / 10:48 ET
Spurs on a 15-2 run
Dylan Harper just put up five quick points for the Spurs, crushing a putback jam and drilling a stepback 3-pointer over Bones Hyland as the Frost Bank Center crowd goes crazy.
It’s been all Spurs in recent minutes. The Timberwolves miss Donte DiVIncenzo here — they need some spirit and fire.
“It’s a run-and-dunk-fest for San Antonio,” said Dave Pasch.
MAY 6, 2026 / 10:42 ET
Spurs have it rocking
48-32 San Antonio with 3:02 to go in the second quarter.
That’s with Rudy Gobert (4 pts, 7 reb) doing a good job altering shots in the paint. The Spurs have a 26-16 advantage in points in the paint and an 8-2 advantage in fast break points. They’re only shooting 40.2% from the field, but the Timberwolves are at 30.2%.
Victor Wembanyama (14 pts, 9 reb) has been a force, as usual.
WEMBY DOING IT ON BOTH ENDS 👏
Deep 3.
Big-time swat.Spurs up 12 in Q2 of Game 2! pic.twitter.com/QHcAcUPX0v
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2026
MAY 6, 2026 / 10:30 ET
Spurs out to largest lead
36-24 with 7:38 to go in the first half.
The Timberwolves are shooting just 30.3% from the field so far, as the Spurs’ defense locks down. Jaden McDaniels (6 pts) is their top scorer.
Victor Wembanyama (11 pts, 8 reb) has controlled the glass in the second quarter, speeding the Spurs’ success. De’Aaron Fox (12 pts) is off to the hot start he did not have in Game 1.
MAY 6, 2026 / 10:24 ET
Postgame Presser: 76ers-Knicks
LIVE: Sixers/Knicks Game 2 Postgame Presser
NBA Playoffs presented by @Google https://t.co/Iy65pOerJr
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2026
MAY 6, 2026 / 10:20 ET
Spurs up 24-17 after one
A defensive battle so far. Julius Randle has yet to score, while Anthony Edwards (2 pts) has been held to 1-of-6 shooting.
MAY 6, 2026 / 10:01 ET
Watch out for the flying Alien
An 81.2 on the Dunk Score scale.
WEMBY PUTBACK SLAM 💥
A BIG-TIME JAM IN GAME 2! pic.twitter.com/U07E0Pkp8E
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2026
13-12 Spurs with 4:35 to go in the first.
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:54 ET
Knicks win a battle at home
The Knicks defeat the Sixers 108-102, as Jalen Brunson (26 pts) took them home, scoring six of their last nine points to earn a clutch win at Madison Square Garden.
The game included 25 lead changes and 14 ties, as both teams vied back-and-forth for control.
The Sixers ran out of gas late, scoring just three points in the last 6:52 of the game. Tyrese Maxey (26 pts) was their top scorer.
Patrick Ewing and John Starks sat side-by-side on the baseline during the contest, watching New York take a 2-0 lead with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in the offing. Now, the series shifts back to Philadelphia.
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:45 ET
Starting Lineups: Timberwolves-Spurs, Game 2
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs look to split at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves as their Western Conference Semifinals series continues on ESPN.
Minnesota:
- PG Mike Conley
- Conley (12 pts, 6 ast) turned back the clock in Game 1.
- SG Terrence Shannon Jr.
- Shannon Jr.’s hustle is contagious — he said he’d keep driving at Victor Wembanyama, after Wemby swatted 12 shots in Game 1.
- SF Jaden McDaniels
- With Anthony Edwards ailing, McDaniels will be called on to provide secondary offense for the Timberwolves.
- PF Julius Randle
- Randle becomes the number one option for the Timberwolves after putting up 21 points on 20 shots in Game 1.
- C Rudy Gobert
- The Stifle Tower was a force defensively in Game 1, covering space and walling off the paint. Watch him — you’ll be amazed how often he alters the play.
San Antonio:
- PG Stephon Castle
- Castle was his typical efficient self in Game 1, but was held to eight shot attempts. Can he wreak havoc against the depleted Timberwolves?
- SG De’Aaron Fox
- Fox was held to 10 points on 14 shots in Game 1. If that changes, it would be huge for San Antonio.
- SF Devin Vassell
- Vassell hit a big 3-pointer late in Game 1, but was largely kept quiet.
- PF Julian Champagnie
- Champagnie must have spent the last day thinking about his game-winning attempt in Game 1. The St. John’s product is always a threat from deep.
- C Victor Wembanyama
- The Alien set a Playoff record with 12 blocks in Game 1, eclipsing Mark Eaton, Hakeem Olajuwon and Andrew Bynum.
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:40 ET
9-0 run for the Knicks
105-99 Knicks with 2:31 to go, as Jalen Brunson (24 pts) and Mikal Bridges (18 pts) knock down contested midrange jumpers, eliciting celebrations from the crowd.
“You are seeing some really difficult shotmaking on behalf of the Knicks,” said Tim Legler.
Philly needs to find some offense late.
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:34 ET
Knicks take the lead late
101-99 with 4:01 to go in the fourth quarter.
Philly may be gassing out, missing their last five shots, including a wide-open 3-point look from Tyrese Maxey.
Mike Brown decided to call timeout — the Knicks had four — which gives the Sixers a breath. Will they rally late with home court advantage on the line?
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:30 ET
Tied in New York
96-all with 6:56 to go in the fourth quarter.
Dominic Barlow (6 pts, 2 reb in 11:20) has given the Sixers notable minutes with Adem Bona and Andre Drummond in foul trouble.
His mobility and hustle has cluttered up the floor for the Knicks and provided a roll option.
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:16 ET
Sixers lead 90-89 after three
It’s been a battle all night in Madison Square Garden, where we’ve seen 22 lead changes and 10 ties.
Watch to see if Jalen Brunson (18 pts on 17 shots) or Tyrese Maxey (21 pts on 16 shots) can get loose in the fourth quarter. The Sixers have Edgecombe on Brunson; Bridges is chasing Maxey.
One of the All-Star point guards could decide tonight’s contest.
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:00 ET
Knicks take the lead
Karl-Anthony Towns (20 pts, 5 ast) is a wrecking ball, putting up 10 points so far in the quarter. He’s 6-of-6 from the field so far.
KAT gets it to fall through contact 😤
17 PTS (5-5 FGM) 💯
Knicks trail by 2 in Q3 of Game 2! pic.twitter.com/RQMkhQsscA
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2026
He’s piled up five fouls on Adem Bona, including a bully-ball drive for an and-one a moment ago, and four on Andre Drummond.
80-79 Knicks with 4:53 to go in the third quarter.
MAY 6, 2026 / 8:49 ET
Sixers stay up into the third
72-70 with 8:22 to go in the third quarter, as Karl-Anthony Towns (14 pts) heads to the line for an and-one opportunity after taking Andre Drummond off the dribble.
That’s three fouls on Drummond, which could matter, given Philly’s limited center depth.
Paul George (16 pts) and VJ Edgecombe (12 pts) have hit 3-pointers in this quarter, while Towns has racked up five quick points for the Knicks.
MAY 6, 2026 / 8:27 ET
76ers up 62-61 at the break
Tyrese Maxey (19 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) has the Sixers in a competitive position going into the second half, buoyed by strong performances from Paul George (13 pts) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (10 pts).
The Knicks (24-of-45, 53.3%) are outshooting the Sixers (20-of-41, 48.8%) from the field, but Philadelphia has been money from beyond the arc. They’re 8-of-17 (47.1%); the Knicks are 3-of-12 (25%).
New York’s earned a 38-16 advantage in points in the paint, taking advantage of the space left by the absence of Joel Embiid, and has been successful on the break, creating a 15-6 gap in fast break points.
But Maxey’s brilliance, including 15 second quarter points, has Philly up. His Playoff career high is 46, set against the Knicks in 2024.
Jalen Brunson (16 pts), OG Anunoby (13 pts) and Karl-Anthony Towns (10 pts) are all in double figures for the Knicks.
MAY 6, 2026 / 8:15 ET
Knicks tie it up
54-all with 3:19 to go in the second quarter.
Josh Hart stymied Maxey on the last possession, prompting a fast break, then found Bridges for the alley-oop slam to send the Garden crowd into raptures.
MAY 6, 2026 / 8:12 ET
Switching up on Maxey
The Knicks have put Mikal Bridges on Maxey, seeking to end his hot streak.
The former Villanova wing forced an awkward layup on the first possession, but Tyrese dropped off a pass to Oubre (10 pts) for a dunk on the second one. He’s gotten into the lane twice.
MAY 6, 2026 / 8:07 ET
Tyrese Maxey has it flowing
Maxey’s now up to 14 points in the quarter and 18 for the contest, dicing Deuce McBride with a series of pull-up jumpers and some post moves, which Richard Jefferson likened to the stylings of Kyrie Irving, Gary Payton and Sam Cassell.
Tyrese Maxey is heating up in Game 2 🔥
12 PTS in Q2.
16 for the game. pic.twitter.com/bWSkHmdrMv— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2026
Sixers have a 50-46 lead with 6:00 to go in the second.
Kelly Oubre Jr. (8 pts) is also surging, knocking down 3-of-4 shots so far, including two 3-pointers.
MAY 6, 2026 / 7:54 ET
Sixers up 33-31 after one
We’ve seen 10 lead changes and four ties, as Paul George (11 pts) and Tyrese Maxey (8 pts, 4 reb) hit the ground running for Philadelphia.
Jalen Brunson (9 pts, 3 ast) got uncorked in the last 1:39, scoring the last seven points for New York over the end of the period.
MAY 6, 2026 / 7:44 ET
Edgecombe on Brunson
Jalen Brunson’s been held to 2 points on 0-of-3 shooting so far. He’s being dogged by VJ Edgecombe, who ably denied him the ball on the last possession.
Sixers up 26-24 with 1:56 to go in the first quarter.
MAY 6, 2026 / 7:26 ET
Paul George on the attack
George has 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting, as Philadelphia takes a 15-12 lead with 6:29 to go in the first quarter.
PG is 4-for-4 to start Game 2 💯
11 PTS
3 3PM pic.twitter.com/xhsqLL2bJc— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026
The nine-time All-Star’s Playoff career high is 41 points, set in 2021 with the LA Clippers against the Phoenix Suns.
MAY 6, 2026 / 6:30 ET
Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers look to even the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks on ESPN.
Philadelphia:
- PG Tyrese Maxey
- Maxey was held to just 13 points in Game 1. The 76ers will need to find a way to get him loose in Game 2.
- SG VJ Edgecombe
- The all-around wing out of Baylor could see more usage with Joel Embiid out.
- SF Paul George
- George, who led the Sixers with 17 points in Game 1, is now 8-6 against OG Anunoby all-time.
- PF Kelly Oubre Jr.
- Can Oubre Jr. give the 76ers a lift? He has the potential to steal one of these games. His Playoff career-high of 19 points came against the Knicks in 2024.
- C Adem Bona
- The UConn product rolls and finishes hard. He and Andre Drummond have been a capable duo all season with Joel Embiid ailing.
New York:
- PG Jalen Brunson
- Brunson was en fuego in Game 1, scoring 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting. The Knicks are 7-2 all-time when he scores that many points such a shooting clip.
- SG Josh Hart
- Hart did his thing, chipping in every aspect of Game 1. Can a smaller Philly team keep him off the glass?
- SF Mikal Bridges
- The Philadelphia native just keeps cruising along. He has the longest consecutive games played streak in the NBA, and makes effort look easy out there.
- PF OG Anunoby
- Anunoby scored 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting in Game 1. Hard to beat the Knicks when he’s that efficient.
- C Karl-Anthony Towns
- Towns is averaging 6.0 assists per game during the Playoffs so far. Over his five previous Playoff runs, he never put up more than 2.6 apg.
MAY 6, 2026 / 6:00 ET
Wednesday’s injury report
Joel Embiid is out for the 76ers, while Tyrese Maxey is available. Mitchell Robinson is questionable.
Ayo Dosunmu is available for the Timberwolves, while Anthony Edwards is questionable.
