Stephen A Smith begs Trump not to attend NBA Finals Game 3 at MSG: 'I don't want him there'
Article excerpt
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith publicly urged Donald Trump to skip NBA Finals Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Monday, warning that the former president's presence would create chaos in New York City. Smith's plea highlights the polarizing nature of Trump's public appearances and the security and crowd-management challenges they present. The comment underscores the tension between Trump's high-profile attendance at major sporting events and the disruption such appearances can generate. Game 3 of the NBA Finals represents a major event, and Smith's request signals concern about how Trump's attendance might overshadow the basketball competition itself.
Knicks vs. Spurs Score, Live Updates, Highlights From Game 2 of NBA Finals originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After a thrilling first game of the 2026 NBA Finals, the Knicks and Spurs will return to action on Friday night for a pivotal Game 2.
Behind Jalen Brunson's 30-point performance, the Knicks stormed back in the second half, overcoming a double-digit deficit to take Game 1 on the road. Brunson led the charge in the final frame, but he got plenty of help from Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby throughout the series opener.
Now, the pressure is on the Spurs to even up the series before it shifts to Madison Square Garden. Victor Wembanyama had 26 points in Game 1, but he will need to be more efficient after shooting 6-of-21 from the field.
Follow along right here for live updates and highlights from Game 2 between the Knicks and Spurs.
Knicks vs. Spurs score
1234F
Knicks2549
Spurs3452
Knicks vs. Spurs live updates, highlights from Game 2 of NBA Finals
9:47 p.m.: Bridges is 3-for-3 from deep, hitting a corner three as time expires to make it a one-point San Antonio lead.
Then, after a Spurs miss, Landry shamet gets by Wembanyama to make a layup and the Knicks have the lead for the first time tonight.
But, its short lived, with Vassell making a three and getting fouled by Brunson, so he'll head to the line.
9:43 p.m.: Now, Robinson gets called for a technical foul after a slight shove on Wembanyama.
Wembanyama hits the free throw.
9:42 p.m.: It's a major moment in the game, with Devin Vassell stealing the bal from Josh Hart and Hart tripping him. It was rule a flagrant one foul, sending Vassell to the line.
He hits one of them to make it 46-42 and the Spurs have possession.
9:37 p.m.: Harper had a fast break but it was stuffed by Anunoby, then on the other end Bridges hits another three, and San Antonio leads by only two halfway through the second.
9:31 p.m.: The Knicks are back within three, with Bridges hitting a three pointer in the corner for his first basket of the game.
It comes at a big time, and the game is now 42-39.
9:28 p.m.: Fox is having a game.
Now, he gets by Deuce McBride then gets the basket to go while getting fouled. He hits the free throw and is up to 12 points, and it's 42-34 Spurs.
9:24 p.m.: Towns is in double figures, and he dunks over Wembanyama to cap off a 7-0 Knicks run to cut the lead to five.
End of the first quarter: Spurs 34, Knicks 25
9:16 p.m.: Wembanyama drives through and makes a layup to give the Spurs a nine-point lead. At the other end, Brunson misses as the buzzer expires.
At the end of one, it's the Spurs who have responded to the bell, knowing the stakes. Fox already has nine points, which is more than he had all of last game; San Antonio has seven players who have scored.
9:11 p.m.: Fox, who only had seven points in Game 1, hits a three to extend the San Antonio lead to eight.
The Spurs are 4-for-8 from deep this quarter.
9:06 p.m.: With less than three minutes left, San Antonio leads by five after a Vassell tough layup.
9:05 p.m.: Mitchell Robinson has shot the ball poorly at the free throw line, and now he has a broken pinky to add onto the difficulties.
But, he makes one of two here to cut the Spurs lead to three.
9:00 p.m.: After a Dylan Harper jam over Towns, the Spurs lead by seven, until Towns hits a three to cut the lead to four.
HARPER DRIVES AND SLAMS IT HOME 💥
A POWERFUL TWO-HAND JAM IN GAME 2! pic.twitter.com/iGwR8HZm0H
, NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
It's 20-16.
8:54 p.m.: With 5:46 remaining in the first, the Spurs lead 17-13.
Stephon Castle will head to the line out of the break. Champagnie and Brunson are tied for the game lead with eight points.
8:50 p.m.: Julian Champagnie had 16 points in Game 1 and is hot to start, hitting two threes, the second one banked in.
Then, O.G. Anunoby makes a three of his own to make it 13-10 San Antonio.
8:45 p.m.: The Spurs and Knicks exchange makes to open the game.
First, Devin Vassell hits a triple, then on the other end Jalen Brunson makes a tough jumper. It's 3-2 and we're off and running.
8:43 p.m.: The teams have tipped off and we are underway in San Antonio.
Follow along for live updates throughout Game 2.
8:30 p.m.: It's almost time.
KNICKS. SPURS. GAME 2.
Will Wemby and the Spurs even the series at 1-1, or will Brunson and the Knicks go up 2-0?
🏆 NYK (1-0) SAS, Game 2 📺 8:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/Td8bV6bWJP
, NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
Game 2 of the NBA Finals is here.
8:20 p.m.: Before Game 2 kicks off, let's relive Game 1 one more time, where the Knicks came from behind to take a 1-0 lead.
A thrilling comeback led by the captain 🗽
Relive the excitement and go behind the scenes of New York's gritty road win in Chasing History presented by @MichelobULTRA before the Knicks and Spurs clash in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, tonight at 8:30pm/et on ABC. pic.twitter.com/5BZYn5a6lD
, NBA (@NBA) June 5, 2026
8:10 p.m.: It's safe to say Wembanyama is locked in ahead of tonight.
WHAT A SHOT AHEAD OF GAME 2 🤯
WEMBY FROM 3/4 COURT 👽 https://t.co/FFfohgBNyPpic.twitter.com/Swew72sjMN
, NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026
8:05 p.m.: There are no changes in the starting lineups, with both San Antonio and New York putting out the same starting five.
Starting 🖐#PorVida | @Ticketmasterpic.twitter.com/cU8j0X7d94
, San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) June 5, 2026
For the Knicks, its the same group: Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Anunoby, Towns
8:00 p.m.: Game 2 is half an hour away.
Brunson gets loose ahead of Game 2 🏀
Game 1: 30 PTS Game 2: ?
🏆 NYK (1-0) SAS 📺 8:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/qRl6MJJmJl
, NBA (@NBA) June 5, 2026
7:50 p.m.: The scene is set.
THE SCENE IS SET FOR GAME 2 🏆
NYK (1-0) SAS. 8:30 PM ET on ABC. pic.twitter.com/U0CH9ijFyM
, NBA (@NBA) June 5, 2026
7:42 p.m.: Then, of course, there's Victor Wembanyama.
Friday fits 🤩#ULTRAcourtside | @MichelobULTRApic.twitter.com/vOnnFfXtfP
, San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) June 5, 2026
Wembanyama had 26 points in the Game 1 loss, but on 6-for-21 shooting. He needs a much better shooting performance tonight as the Spurs look to even the series.
7:36 p.m.: Here comes the star of Game 1, Jalen Brunson.
Ready for Knicks Basketball 🔒 pic.twitter.com/VvIPa91g29
, NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 5, 2026
Even after leaving the game for a brief period with a knee injury, Brunson scored a game-high 30 points, which included a personal 8-0 run in the fourth quarter to put the Knicks ahead.
7:30 p.m.: The teams have arrived at the Frost Bank Center for Game 2, and the stakes are high.
KNICKS. SPURS. GAME 2.
Will the Spurs even the series at 1-1, or will the Knicks go up 2-0?
🏆 NYK (1-0) SAS, Game 2 📺 8:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/jvABFhCTDR
, NBA (@NBA) June 5, 2026
The home team Spurs need a win to even up the series, while the Knicks are looking to take a two-game lead heading back to Madison Square Garden.
How to watch Knicks vs. Spurs Game 2: TV channel, live stream
TV channel: ABC
Live stream: DIRECTV | ESPN app | fubo
Game 2 between the Knicks and Spurs will air live on ABC. The game will also be available to stream on DIRECTV, the ESPN app and fubo.
Try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live NBA, MLB and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network, all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
Knicks vs. Spurs Game 2 start time
Date: Friday, June 5
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 2 between the Knicks and Spurs is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 5. The game will be played at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
Knicks vs. Spurs schedule: New York leads 1-0
DateGameTime (ET)TV/Live stream
June 3Game 1: Knicks 105, Spurs 95,
June 5Game 2: Knicks vs. Spurs8:30 p.m.ABC, DIRECTV, ESPN app, fubo
June 8Game 3: Spurs vs. Knicks8:30 p.m.ABC, DIRECTV, ESPN app, fubo
June 10Game 4: Spurs vs. Knicks8:30 p.m.ABC, DIRECTV, ESPN app, fubo
June 13Game 5*: Knicks vs. Spurs8:30 p.m.ABC, DIRECTV, ESPN app, fubo
June 16Game 6*: Spurs vs. Knicks8:30 p.m.ABC, DIRECTV, ESPN app, fubo
June 19Game 7*: Knicks vs. Spurs8:30 p.m.ABC, DIRECTV, ESPN app, fubo
*If necessary
NBA Playoffs scores, results 2026
Conference finals
Knicks 4, Cavs 0
Game 1: Knicks 115, Cavs 104 (OT)
Game 2: Knicks 109, Cavs 93
Game 3: Knicks 121, Cavs 108
Game 4: Knicks 130, Cavs 93
Spurs 4, Thunder 3
Game 1: Spurs 122, Thunder 115 (2OT)
Game 2: Thunder 122, Spurs 113
Game 3: Thunder 123, Spurs 108
Game 4: Spurs 103, Thunder 82
Game 5: Thunder 127, Spurs 114
Game 6: Spurs 118, Thunder 91
Game 7: Spurs 111, Thunder 103
Conference semifinals
Knicks 4, 76ers 0
Game 1: Knicks 137, 76ers 98
Game 2: Knicks 108, 76ers 102
Game 3: Knicks 108, 76ers 94
Game 4: Knicks 144, 76ers 114
Spurs 4, Timberwolves 2
Game 1: Timberwolves 104, Spurs 102
Game 2: Spurs 133, Timberwolves 95
Game 3: Spurs 115, Timberwolves 108
Game 4: Timberwolves 114, Spurs 109
Game 5: Spurs 126, Timberwolves 97
Game 6: Spurs 139, Timberwolves 109
First round
Knicks 4, Hawks 2
Game 1: Knicks 113, Hawks 102
Game 2: Hawks 107, Knicks 106
Game 3: Hawks 109, Knicks 108
Game 4: Knicks 114, Hawks 98
Game 5: Knicks 126, Hawks 97
Game 6: Knicks 140, Hawks 89
Spurs 4, Trail Blazers 1
Game 1: Spurs 111, Trail Blazers 98
Game 2: Trail Blazers 106, Spurs 103
Game 3: Spurs 120, Trail Blazers 108
Game 4: Spurs 114, Trail Blazers 93
Game 5: Spurs 114, Trail Blazers 95