NBA Finals: New York Knicks 111-115 San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama stars

Defeat ended a 13-game winning streak for the Knicks – two short of the Golden State Warriors’ 2017 record – as they chase their first championship since 1973.

Only five of the 37 teams who have led 2-0 have failed to win the Finals.

“We’ve done what we were supposed to do but the job is absolutely not done,” said Wembanyama.

“We’re not even halfway. The hardest is yet to come.”

The Spurs trailed 64-57 at half-time but went ahead with a 35-point third quarter.

A three-pointer from Castle with one minutes 53 seconds left extended their lead to 111-104 and – unlike in game one, when they came unstuck against a late surge from the Knicks – the Spurs held firm.

Although OG Anunoby hit a late three-pointer to cut the Spurs’ lead to two points, Castle scored two free throws in the final 10 seconds.

Anunoby finished with 28 points and Jalen Brunson 32 for the Knicks.

The best-of-seven series continues at the same venue on Wednesday (01:30 BST, Thursday) before the teams return to San Antonio for game five on Saturday (01:30, Sunday).