Spurs Steal Game 3 from Knicks in NBA Finals
In an unexpected twist during the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs managed to defeat the New York Knicks on their home court, Madison Square Garden, with a score of 115-111 on Monday night. This was a crucial Game 3, and it certainly turned heads.
New York still leads the series 2-1, but they couldn’t capitalize on their home advantage. The Spurs showcased exceptional defense and timely shooting, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they restricted the Knicks to just 2-of-12 from beyond the arc. This loss snapped the Knicks’ impressive playoff winning streak at 13 games.
Victor Wembanyama, who had a near game-winner in Game 2 but fell short, took charge for the Spurs this time, scoring 32 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists.
His teammates, De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, also came through with key shots that helped secure the victory. From the get-go, the Spurs entered the game with a fierce determination that any basketball fan could see coming, considering their previous game struggles.
By the end of the first quarter, San Antonio had built an 11-point lead, largely thanks to Wembanyama’s 9 points and Castle hitting 7 points without a miss. But, as we know, the Knicks are never out of the fight—they always seem to rally.
As the first half wore on, the electrifying crowd in Madison Square Garden fueled New York’s efforts, allowing them to reclaim momentum. OG Anunoby shone in this stretch, scoring 17 points and going 5-of-6 from the field, including a couple of three-pointers. By halftime, the Knicks had edged ahead, leading 64-57.
Jalen Brunson contributed with 15 points, while Josh Hart, mysteriously left wide open by the Spurs, added 13 points with a three-pointer. Entering the second half with a lead seemed promising for the Knicks, but the Spurs countered immediately, forcing turnovers that began shifting the game’s momentum again.
The competition escalated in the fourth quarter, with San Antonio holding a slender one-point lead. But as often happens in these tense matchups, teams exchanged leads. Yet, the Spurs maintained composure, exploiting the Knicks’ foul troubles, which piled up quickly.
As the clock ticked down, Wembanyama buried two crucial free throws, extending their lead to eight. The Knicks, desperately trying to find their rhythm, struggled to get good looks, and San Antonio capitalized on their mistakes. A pivotal moment came when Castle hit a deep three-pointer with under two minutes remaining, which pushed the lead back to seven.
Brunson managed to hit his first three-pointer of the quarter, narrowing the gap to three points, but Fox countered with a precise jumper, sealing the deal for the Spurs.
In a nail-biting finish, Anunoby, who ended the game with 28 points, quickly responded with a three-pointer, trimming the Spurs’ lead to two with just about ten seconds to go. However, Castle’s clutch free throws ensured the Knicks couldn’t stage a comeback, securing the victory for San Antonio.
Castle wrapped up the night with 23 points, shooting 8-of-14, and all Spurs starters made significant contributions. Notably, the Knicks faced challenges, particularly with Landry Shamet, who struggled with his shot, finishing 1-of-8 from the field.
The victory came at an interesting time, with President Donald Trump in attendance alongside Knicks owner James Dolan, prompting tightened security around the arena.
Looking ahead, Game 4 of the NBA Finals is slated for Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden.
