NEW YORK, NY — Victor Wembanyama delivered a dominant performance with 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night.
The win gave the Spurs a much-needed boost in the Finals to cut into the Knicks' lead, 2-1. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.
Wembanyama responded to New York's tough defense with a poised and efficient outing, including 10 points in the fourth quarter. He helped the Spurs build just enough separation late to withstand a final push from the Knicks in front of a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden.
San Antonio also received key contributions from Stephon Castle, who finished with 23 points, and De’Aaron Fox, who made critical plays down the stretch, including late baskets that helped secure the win.
The Spurs came out aggressively, taking control early behind Wembanyama’s inside presence. He scored on the team’s first two possessions, and San Antonio built a double-digit lead within the opening minutes. The Spurs shot 9 of 11 to start the game and led 33-22 after the first quarter.
Despite the slow start, New York responded with a strong second quarter. Jalen Brunson led the charge, finishing with 32 points, while OG Anunoby added 28. The Knicks closed the half on a surge, taking a 64-57 lead into the break after overcoming the early deficit.
The game shifted again in the second half, as San Antonio regained control in the third quarter. The Spurs’ defense tightened, and their offense capitalized on key possessions to retake the lead heading into the fourth.
In the final minutes, Castle hit a crucial 3-pointer to extend the Spurs’ lead to 111-104 with under two minutes remaining. Anunoby answered with a late 3-pointer to cut the deficit to two, but Castle sealed the game at the free-throw line with 6.8 seconds left.
The loss ended the Knicks’ 13-game postseason winning streak — the second-longest in NBA playoff history — and marked their first defeat since April 23. During that stretch, New York swept Philadelphia and Cleveland and won the first two games of the Finals in San Antonio.
New York struggled with consistency despite strong individual performances. Karl-Anthony Towns was limited to 11 points, while Mikal Bridges dealt with foul trouble throughout the game.
San Antonio’s victory not only kept the series alive but also ensured at least one more home game, with Game 5 scheduled back in Texas.
Game 4 is set for Wednesday night in New York, where the Spurs will attempt to even the series at 2-2, while the Knicks look to regain momentum as they continue the pursuit of their first NBA championship since 1973.
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