San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) passes the ball as New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) defends during Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News
Asked after Game 1 about a disappointing night in his NBA Finals debut, Spurs forward Keldon Johnson said he “can’t let it linger.”
But after another rough outing in a string of poor playoff performances, scoring just three points in a 105-104 loss to the Knicks during Game 2 on Friday at the Frost Bank Center, the questions about Johnson’s slump aren’t going away.
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“Got to keep putting energy into the right stuff. He’s got to crash, play with physicality, play hard at this stage of the game, which is whatever it takes,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “We can’t get preoccupied and chase, whether it’s individual or collective things. We have to go on whatever the game calls for in that possession and give it all.”
Keldon Johnson finished Game 1 with a postseason-low eight minutes played, notching three points on 1-of-4 shooting with no rebounds and no assists.
READ MORE: Why Spurs’ chances in NBA Finals start with Wemby remembering who he is
He was more active and involved in Game 2, playing 16 minutes with four rebounds, two assists and a steal. But he again finished with just three points on 1-of-4 shooting.
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Johnson was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year this season after averaging 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds on 51.9% shooting. He suited up for all 82 games, playing 23.3 minutes per night.
In the postseason, he’s averaging just 8.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game on 40.8% shooting, and he’s manned only 18 minutes per game.
KAT creates problems for Spurs
The Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns notched a team-high 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Game 2 for his second straight double-double to open the Finals, prompting questions about whether the six-time All-Star is playing the best basketball of his 11-year career.
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“I don’t know, I’ll leave that question to you and everyone else,” Towns said. “I’m just worried about the team result, which is winning.”
Storming into the paint for tough baskets while knocking down a trio of 3-pointers in Game 2, Towns has created a range of issues for San Antonio’s defense.
“I think he’s made some shots and he’s a really good player,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I don’t think he’s gotten everything he wanted. He played two good games. We have to make it tougher on him. We’ve had some coverage breakdowns. Just keep trying to make great players work for everything they get.”
MORE SPURS: Why Victor Wembanyama’s late turnover conjures memories of past playoff heartbreak
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A 39.7% 3-point sharpshooter for his career who is making 48.1% beyond the arc during the Knicks’ playoff run, Towns has the range to prevent Spurs center Victor Wembanyama from anchoring in the paint defensively.
Town has also managed to avoid some of the unnecessary fouls that plagued him at times in his career, playing 34 minutes in each of the first two games of the NBA Finals, and he tacked on four assists in each game.
“It’s very different from previous series. It’s bringing us into difficult areas because they’re good players. He’s a good player,” Wembanyama said. “We just need to figure it out. We need to keep working on it. … We can do a little bit better. We can do better defensively.”
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) passes off the ball while being defended by New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) during the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) grabs a loose ball away from New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) during the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) holds onto the ball during Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) and San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) block New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) during the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) grabs a loose ball away from New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) during the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) has a shot blocked by New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) during the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) and San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) react after a big basket during the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
Streaks rise and fall in Finals
Dropping Games 1 and 2 in the Frost Bank Center, the Spurs suffered back-to-back home losses for the first time since Dec. 27 and 29 of the regular season.
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The Knicks, meanwhile, continued to add to a couple of historic streaks. New York’s win in Game 2 was the team’s 13th straight in the playoffs, trailing only the 15 straight wins by the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors as the longest winning streak in a single postseason.
The Knicks have delivered eight of those consecutive victories on the road, tying the 2000-01 Lakers for the longest road winning streak in a single postseason.
Teams that win the first two games of the NBA Finals have gone on to win the series 86.5% of the time.
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