Victor Wembanyama has lamented a horror late turnover as the New York Knicks claimed a thrilling win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
After collecting a rebound with the scores level at 104 apiece, Wembanyama threw the ball towards teammate Stephon Castle, who had his back to the Frenchman as he ran up the court.
Jalen Brunson picked up the loose ball and knocked down the go-ahead free throw before Wembanyama missed a shot at the buzzer to win the game.
“I threw that one away, I messed up,” Wembanyama said after the game.
“We didn’t play well as a team. We needed to win that game, this game was ours, but at this point it’s done.
“Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and to fuel us the next game? Absolutely.”
The Knicks are just the third team in NBA history to take a 2-0 lead after starting a Finals series on the road. The previous two, the 1993 Chicago Bulls and the 1995 Houston Rockets, both won that year’s title.
Karl-Anthony Towns (left) continued his strong start to the NBA Finals with a double-double in Game 2. (Getty Images: Gregory Shamus)
The 2021 Milwaukee Bucks are the last team to win the NBA title after falling in an 0-2 hole to start the series.
After being held to just seven points in a passive first-half display, Wembanyama finished the game with 29 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
Despite his numbers, Wembanyama struggled to have a consistent impact against Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.
The Knicks have now won 13 straight playoff games, the second-longest streak in NBA history behind the 2017 Golden State Warriors, who won 15 straight.
The series now shifts to New York’s Madison Square Garden for Game 3 next Tuesday morning AEST, where US President and native New Yorker Donald Trump is expected to attend.
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