De’Aaron Fox and Jalen Brunson stared each other down in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Finals, a heated moment that helped set the tone as the Knicks held off a Spurs comeback for a 105-104 win.
Friday night in the NBA Finals didn’t just turn on points—it turned on a stare.
With the Knicks leading 87-80, De’Aaron Fox was guarding Jalen Brunson during the fourth quarter as Brunson dribbled in place. When the New York guard tried to move downcourt. he tripped after Fox appeared to put an arm in his way. Fox and Brunson then squared up near the sideline, face to face, without looking away.
Mikal Bridges and referee Josh Tiven rushed in to break it up. A few Spurs players also moved in as things threatened to spill into a larger scuffle on defense. From the sideline, Knicks coach Mike Brown yelled at Tiven and asked for a technical, but no foul was called.
The Knicks weren’t done holding their nerve. They survived the Spurs’ push—helped in part by a costly late turnover from Victor Wembanyama—and ultimately finished with a 105-104 win. With that result, New York moved two wins from the championship as the series shifted firmly into their control.
The sequence in the final moments matters because it carried through the game’s balance: a volatile exchange on the court at one end. then a decisive swing late when the Spurs needed a stop. By the final buzzer. the Knicks had both the poise and the edge to turn a near-collapse into control of Game 2.
NBA Finals Game 2 New York Knicks San Antonio Spurs Jalen Brunson De'Aaron Fox Victor Wembanyama Mikal Bridges Josh Tiven Mike Brown series
so basically they tried to fight over nothing? i hate when refs just stand there
they said no foul but Fox “put an arm” in the way?? sounds like the usual selective rules. also Wembanyama turnover at the end was brutal
Wait Brunson tripped after Fox put an arm in his way and then they just squared up?? i’m confused bc it feels like it should be a foul or technical at least. Mike Brown yelling at Josh Tiven like that never helps either
Knicks are so close to the title but it also feels like refs decide everything. like if Spurs had one stop they’d be up, but then Wemby turnover and everyone suddenly “poise”?? idk man basketball is wild