Following their opening game loss, the Spurs delivered a resounding victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2, showcasing an impressive offensive performance where even improbable three-pointers started to fall. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers engaged in a nail-biting contest, with the Knicks ultimately prevailing in the closing minutes.
In Game 2, the primary question quickly became the margin of victory for the Spurs. While Victor Wembanyama toned down his shot-blocking, he and his team, after a strong start, comfortably cruised to an equalizer. The Knicks and Sixers, however, experienced no such ease, with the Knicks demonstrating superior stamina in the final stretch of a fiercely contested matchup.
San Antonio Spurs (W2) — Minnesota Timberwolves (W6) 133:95 — Series: 1-1
In Game 1, Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox struggled offensively, managing a combined 21 points with a poor shooting performance (10/31 FG). Game 2 saw the All-Star duo determined to put that outing behind them. After missing their initial three attempts, Wembanyama opened the scoring with a dunk. He and Fox contributed the team’s first eleven points, enabling San Antonio to build a significant lead of up to +29 in the first half.
Conversely, the Timberwolves’ offense faltered. By halftime, Minnesota had only converted two of fifteen three-point attempts, shooting 29.8% from the field and managing a mere 35 points. While their offense improved in the second half, the Spurs maintained their offensive pressure. Key players for the Spurs were substituted out with ten minutes remaining, by which point they held a commanding 104:65 lead.
The Texans, who have not lost consecutive games since January, celebrated their highest playoff victory since 1983. For the Timberwolves, the 38-point defeat marked their most significant postseason loss in franchise history, surpassing the previous record set in April 2003 against the Los Angeles Lakers when they lost by 30 points.
Adding to a difficult night, the Timberwolves’ Ayo Dosunmu suffered an injury. The guard had already missed the opening game due to calf issues, and in Game 2, heel pain limited him to just ten and a half minutes of play (0 points, 0/4 FG).
Anthony Edwards, who made a surprisingly quick return from a knee injury in Game 1, again came off the bench. The ‘Ant-Man’ led his team in scoring with 12 points (5/13 FG, 1/5 3FG), a mark matched by Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Terrence Shannon Jr. The Wolves shot 39.8% from the field, 30% from three-point range, and a dismal 51.6% from the free-throw line. A total of 22 turnovers further marred their performance.
On the other side, the Spurs found much greater success (50% FG, 41% 3FG, 81.8% FT). For a moment, a belief spread through the Frost Bank Center that virtually any shot, no matter how audacious, would find the net. Early in the third quarter, the shot clock was winding down on a Spurs possession. Julian Champagnie passed to Devin Vassell in the corner, who received the pass mid-air and sank a three-pointer without dipping the ball.
No-dip 3 in the air 😭🔥
Devin Vassell is cold for this 🥶 pic.twitter.com/7umscxcghQ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 7, 2026
Champagnie (12 points) and Vassell (10 points) were just two of seven Spurs players to score in double figures. Stephon Castle led the team with 21 points (6/10 FG). Wembanyama, after his (controversial) NBA record in Game 2, recorded only 2 blocks but was more aggressive offensively (19 points, 7/15 FG). With 15 rebounds, the ‘Alien’ secured a double-double. Fox also had a bounce-back game with 16 points and only one turnover.
The now-tied series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Saturday morning (03:30 CET).
New York Knicks (E3) — Philadelphia 76ers (E7) 108:102 — Series: 2-0
The Sixers announced their first piece of bad news six hours before tip-off: Joel Embiid would miss Game 2. According to Head Coach Nick Nurse, Philadelphia’s superstar woke up with pain and received treatment during the morning shootaround. A sprained right ankle and pain in his right hip led to his absence.
However, even without Embiid, the 76ers presented a much more alert and improved performance in Game 2 compared to their Game 1 blowout loss (98:137). After four and a half minutes, Tyrese Maxey’s reverse layup gave them a 15:8 lead, the first seven-point advantage of the game. Neither team would extend their lead further, resulting in an incredibly exciting back-and-forth affair. The game saw 14 ties and 25 lead changes at Madison Square Garden, marking the most lead changes in a playoff game in eleven years.
With 6:52 remaining, Kelly Oubre Jr.’s three-pointer gave Philly its last lead (99:96). Josh Hart tied the game on the ensuing possession. Oubre Jr. then missed his next long-range attempt, allowing the Knicks to gradually pull away. With half a minute left, the Sixers trailed 102:107 and had possession, but Paul George opted for an incredibly difficult three-pointer that missed the mark widely, effectively sealing the game.
Jalen Brunson was the Knicks’ standout performer, scoring 26 points and delivering crucial baskets in the closing moments. «They started switching some things, and then he got to his spots to score. That’s what we expect from him,» Head Coach Mike Brown proudly stated.
He was likely also impressed by Karl-Anthony Towns’ performance. The big man needed only a few field goal attempts (6/8 FG) to score 20 points. He consistently contributed to good offensive possessions, rightfully filling the box score with 7 assists and 10 rebounds. Only foul trouble prevented a potential triple-double. He also provided a memorable moment of the game, electrifying the crowd with his efforts.
MSG went crazy when KAT had to take over for Andre Drummond to recover the ball 💀 pic.twitter.com/xJ2M5D9b1i
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 7, 2026
With Mitchell Robinson, Towns’ primary backup, sidelined, Ariel Hukporti saw extended minutes. The young German, who received special praise after Game 1 for his performance as an «Embiid stopper,» played nearly seven minutes, contributing 2 points (1/3 FG) and 3 rebounds. However, he also quickly accumulated 4 fouls.
Beyond foul trouble, the Knicks will likely be concerned about the injury to OG Anunoby. The forward, who has been having a stellar playoffs and delivered again in this matchup (24 PTS, 9/17 FG), had to be substituted out late in the game with hamstring issues. A definitive diagnosis is still pending. Mikal Bridges also contributed 18 points to the home victory.
For the Sixers, Maxey was on fire, scoring 15 points in the second quarter and reaching 19 points by halftime. However, in the final quarter, he and the Sixers, who scored only twelve points, ran out of steam. Maxey finished the game with 26 points (9/23 FG, 1/6 3FG), 6 assists, and 6 turnovers. The guard had to play nearly 47 minutes, only getting 72 seconds of rest on the bench. His team was outscored 1:7 during his brief absence, contributing to the six-point loss.
He received some support from Oubre Jr. and Paul George, who both scored 19 points. Rookie VJ Edgecombe added 17 points. Andre Drummond (6 points, 2/2 FG) and Adem Bona (2 points, 0/0 FG) could not adequately replace Embiid’s offensive presence at the center position. It is possible the center could return for Game 3, which will take place in Philadelphia on Saturday morning (1 AM CET).
NBA Playoffs 2026: Second Round Standings Overview
| Conference | Matchup | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Thunder (1) — Lakers (4) | 1-0 |
| Western | Spurs (2) — Timberwolves (6) | 1-1 |
| Eastern | Pistons (1) — Cavaliers (4) | 1-0 |
| Eastern | Knicks (3) — Sixers (7) | 2-0 |