NBA Finals, Game 3: Spurs reflect on crucial moments from vital win over Knicks
Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points to spoil the first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden in 27 years, powering the Spurs to a 115-111 win over the Knicks that gives San Antonio new life in the series, trailing 2-1 after Monday's Game 3.
Wembanyama hit 11 of 18 shots with eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks, while Stephon Castle scored 23 points.
The Spurs led for most of the final period, but Jalen Brunson tried to spark the Knicks down the stretch, hitting a 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining to shrink the margin to three points. De'Aaron Fox stepped up for the Spurs on the other end, knocking down a midrange jumper for a five-point edge with 12 seconds to play.
The Knicks refused to go quietly, as OG Anunoby connected on another 3-pointer with less than 10 seconds to play, but Castle hit a pair of free throws to seal the win.
With Game 4 set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in New York, catch up on live updates and postgame reaction from Game 3:
Wemby rises to must-win moment
Before the Spurs arrived at Madison Square Garden for Game 3, Victor Wembanyama was spotted drawing at New York's Gramercy Park. He's found his first experience of the NBA playoffs to be a whirlwind, and he said he likes to try to find ways to relax and decompress between games.
"I drew the statue of that park," Wembanyama said after Game 3.
How did the drawing come out?
"Not bad," Wembanyama said. "Pretty good."
By the end of Game 3, Wembanyama had transformed from an innocent tourist into the city's newest basketball villain, drawing profane chants from the Knicks fans at MSG. Some would consider that the ultimate compliment.
"I guess," Wembanyama said. "I'm nowhere near Trae Young level, though."
While Wembanyama might not have been as antagonistic toward the MSG crowd as Young was during the Atlanta Hawks' first-round upset of the Knicks in 2021, the Spurs' young star was every bit as problematic on the court. Forcefully attacking the basket early and often, Wembanyama delivered his highest-scoring and most efficient game of the Finals, driving San Antonio's offense.
"I'm sure Victor has numerous sources of motivation," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said, "and I don't think any of us are surprised or expect anything different than a strong performance of him being on the front foot in terms of being in attack mode."
Spurs return to form in Game 3
After San Antonio dropped Game 2 to fall into an 0-2 hole, coach Mitch Johnson said the Spurs would "be just fine" if they started playing to their usual standard.
And when the team took the court for Game 3, he saw a group that was back on brand, starting in "attack mode."
"I thought we made some strides in terms of ball movement and playing with our teammates," Johnson said. "We showed better poise, at times. We finished the game still with some things that need improvement, but stronger than we did the first two games."
The Spurs' win snapped the Knicks' 13-game winning streak, which ranks as the second-longest winning streak in a single postseason in NBA history.
As usual, the young duo of Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle was at the center of the action, becoming the first pair of teammates age 22 or younger to each score 20 or more points in an NBA Finals game.
But with the Spurs trailing in the series, Castle wasn't ready to spend much time celebrating.
"I feel like we still haven't really done anything," Castle said. "Obviously we're still down 2-1, and we're looking forward to the next 48 minutes."
Castle's maturity shines through in the clutch
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama said 21-year-old guard Stephon Castle is the most mature player on the roster. Castle wasn't so quick to give himself the title, passing it back to the 22-year-old Wembanyama.
"I don't go to sleep at 9 p.m.," Castle said.
Which youngster is right is up for debate, but Castle made a strong case with his play in the closing moments of Game 3. Stepping to the line with a two-point lead and seven seconds remaining, Castle calmly converted both free throws to ice the win.
While the Spurs practice pressure free throws, Castle acknowledged that nothing could compare to the weight of that moment, with the crowd at Madison Square Garden desperately rooting against him.
"It felt great," Castle said. "Obviously you hear them, you're in their arena, but at that point, it's just you and the rim, honestly."
Clutch Fox delivers again
A stabilizing 28-year-old veteran and a former Clutch Player of the Year, Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox is often counted on to deliver in big moments, and he came through late in Game 3.
With the Spurs leading by three, Fox drove for a fadeaway jumper at the free-throw line with 12 seconds to play, creating a vital cushion.
"Making that shot, it's a make or miss league a lot of times," Fox said. "A lot of times it's get to your spot, and if you miss that shot, it is what it is. You try to make that shot more often than not, obviously, but it feels good to hit a big shot down the stretch."
Knicks' 3-point slump helps Spurs hold fourth-quarter lead
The Knicks failed to hit a 3-pointer across more than 10 minutes of the fourth quarter, missing their first 10 attempts.
The Spurs opened the period 0-for-7 from outside before Stephon Castle connected on a desperate heave from deep, giving San Antonio a seven-point lead with less than two minutes to play.
Wembanyama, Spurs look to close strong in Game 3
Victor Wembanyama is up to 32 points on 11-of-16 shooting, delivering his best game of the NBA Finals with eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
Wembanyama has gotten the better of Karl-Anthony Towns, who has just 11 points and six rebounds after standout performances during the first two games of the series.
Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' other star, is again having to grind for his points, scoring 25 on 9-of-22 shooting with five turnovers.
Spurs clamp down on defense to hold fourth-quarter lead
The Knicks exploded for 42 points in the second quarter, tying for the third-most points in any quarter of an NBA Finals game in the play-by-play era.
But the Knicks have been much more quiet on offense since their 64-point first half, including going scoreless for the first 3:30 of the fourth quarter. The offensive slump helped the Spurs build a seven-point lead with less than eight minutes to play.
New York is also racking up fouls early in the fourth quarter, opening the door for San Antonio to shoot a lot of free throws down the stretch.
Wagner product Clarkson delivering for Knicks in Game 3
After going scoreless and playing just six minutes between two Finals games in San Antonio, Wagner grad Jordan Clarkson has made an impact for the Knicks in Game 3.
He has 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting in 12 minutes off the bench, closing out the third quarter by knocking down a desperation 3-pointer late in the shot clock. But Dylan Harper had an answer at the other end for San Antonio, helping the Spurs carry a 92-91 lead into the fourth quarter.
Brunson in foul trouble as Spurs take third-quarter lead
Victor Wembanyama found Keldon Johnson cutting to the basket for a layup and then knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Spurs a lead about midway through the third quarter.
Just a few moments later, Jalen Brunson picked up his fourth foul defending Dylan Harper's dribble. Momentum is flowing the way of the Spurs.
Brunson hits circus shot as Knicks hold lead
Jalen Brunson charged into the lane, crashed into De'Aaron Fox and then flipped in a shot over his head with his back nearly turned to the basket, delivering one of the most impressive highlights of Game 3.
The Spurs have been assertive to start the third quarter, at one point taking a lead on a 3-pointer by Devin Vassell, but another 3-pointer by Josh Hart gives him 16 points as the Knicks protect a four-point lead.
Champagnie provides early third-quarter spark
Julian Champagnie got the Spurs started in the second half with six straight points, cutting into the Knicks' lead.
Champagnie scored a layup and then knocked down a 3-pointer, tacking on a free throw after Knicks guard Jalen Brunson was assessed a technical for impeding on Champagnie's landing zone.
Hart finally coming up big offensively
After scoring a combined three points in the first two games of the Finals, Knicks lunch-pail forward Josh Hart has 13 points on 5 of 6 from the field and 3 of 4 from deep to go with five rebounds and three assists.
Hart's 3-pointer with 41 seconds left helped the Knicks close the first half on an 8-0 run for a 64-57 lead at the break.
Hart was a force in helping New York take a 2-0 lead with his work on the boards and distributing the ball. Now, he's scoring, which is a big reason why the Spurs are in danger of falling into a 3-0 hole.
-Tom Orsborn
Knicks proving to be Spurs' kryptonite in Finals
Knicks are to the Spurs what the Spurs were to the Thunder.
Not as good of an 82-game team. But just a nightmare playoff matchup.
-Mike Finger
Knicks surge in second quarter to take halftime lead
After San Antonio led by as many as 12 points early in the second quarter, the Knicks outscored the Spurs 40-21 the rest of the half, including ending the period on a 10-1 run to take a 64-57 lead into halftime.
Stephon Castle scored 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, and Victor Wembanyama has 15 on 6-of-10 shooting, but no other player has more than six points.
OG Anunoby has 17 and Jalen Brunson has 15 to lead the Knicks., who are shooting 57.9% overall and 47.1% from 3-point range.
Castle enjoying best game of NBA Finals
With 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting in just 14 minutes on the court, Spurs guard Stephon Castle is already enjoying his best game of the NBA Finals, finding success attacking the basket off the dribble.
Castle scored 17 points on 7-of-16 shooting in Game 1 and had 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting in Game 2 but has delivered a much more efficient performance so far in Game 3.
Knicks rip off quick run to trim gap
The Spurs had managed a double-digit lead most of the way before the Knicks ripped off eight straight points in less than a minute to force a timeout.
Wagner product Jordan Clarkson knocked down a 3-pointer, Karl-Anthony Towns connected on a floater and then OG Anunoby drilled another 3-pointer.
The Knicks have proven all postseason they aren't going to go down quietly, and Game 3 is no exception.
Harper pesters Brunson
Dylan Harper's length bothered Jalen Brunson whenever he defended him in the first quarter.
The Knicks star finished the quarter with five points on 2 of 7 from the field.
Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell also shadowed the crafty guard, but Harper's length and ability to stay with him seemed to bother him the most.
Wherever Brunson turned, Harper was there, a reminder that the rookie, in addition to his ability to get downhill offensively, is a pretty good defender.
-Tom Orsborn
Harper again looks comfortable for Spurs
At just 20 years old, rookie Dylan Harper has looked ready for every step of his debut playoff appearance, and his first road game in the NBA Finals is no exception.
Harper split a pair of defenders off the dribble for a layup and used an off-ball screen to find a lane to the basket for a dunk, giving him four points in the opening quarter.
He's also tallied three rebounds, an assist and a steal, again looking like San Antonio's only reliable scoring option off the bench.
Tensions high early in Game 3
After Luke Kornet and Josh Hart collided, sending Hart tumbling to the floor, a handful of players sprinted off the Knicks' bench to keep the players separated before the situation could escalate.
Play has been exceptionally physical in the early going, and Victor Wembanyama appeared to get away with shoving Jalen Brunson by the back of the neck as the two battled for position.
Hart was assessed a technical for shoving Kornet after their collision. Officials will need to get a handle on Game 3 quickly, or more technical free throws could be ahead.
Castle off to fast start
The Spurs didn't list Stephon Castle on their injury report for Game 3 after he tweaked his right ankle in the fourth quarter of Game 2 on Friday.
And if that wasn't enough to erase doubts about his health, his fast start tonight should provide plenty of proof.
The Spurs jumped out to a 19-9 lead after Castle scored seven points on 3 of 3 from the field to go with two assists and a rebound. It's still early, but it looks like he's poised for a bounce-back performance after finishing Game 2 with just 14 points and four assists.
-Tom Orsborn
Spurs not rattled early by MSG stage
Far from facing any jitters in their first road finals game, the Spurs have jumped out to a 19-9 lead in about five minutes, hitting 8 of their first 10 shots.
Victor Wembanyama has been at the center of the action, knocking down his first four shot attempts after attempting just four in the entire first half of Game 2.
Wemby slams home early lob as Game 3 underway
During the first half of the Spurs' Game 2 loss, Victor Wembanyama attempted just four shots - a total coach Mitch Johnson called unacceptable for such a grand stage.
But in the first two minutes of Game 3, Wembanyama slammed home a pair of dunks, finding some rare breathing room around the basket.
A more aggressive Wembanyama bodes well for the Spurs.
Madison Square Garden crowd sets tone ahead of Game 3
Knicks fans showered the Spurs with some sustained booing as the Western Conference champions took the court for final pregame warmups ahead of Game 3.
When the Knicks took the court, they did so to a lengthy chant of, "Let's go, Knicks. Let's go, Knicks."
But Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox made it clear at shootaround he and his teammates won't be intimidated after playing three games at the Paycom Center in their seven-game triumph over the Thunder in the Western Conference finals.
"There's been loud arenas in the NBA, loud arenas in college," Fox said when asked at shootaround to name the loudest crowds he's performed in front of. "I think OKC was probably one of the loudest arenas I have played in, especially on the road."
He added the Spurs take pride in making road crowds "unhappy."
-Tom Orsborn
Mixed reaction as Trump shown on video board at MSG
President Donald Trump was shown saluting during the national anthem at Madison Square Garden ahead of Game 3, drawing loud boos and cheers from an energetic crowd.
Trump is watching the game from one of the upper-level suites at midcourt.
Spurs ready for the moment as Game 3 arrives in New York
The Knicks are hosting an NBA Finals game for the first time in 27 years, and the moment could hardly be any bigger. President Donald Trump is expected to be in attendance alongside thousands of crazed New Yorkers hungry to celebrate their first championship since 1973.
The fanfare comes with a few logistical challenges that guard De'Aaron Fox described as inconvenient, but Spurs coach Mitch Johnson is more focused on the task at hand, looking to battle back from a 2-0 deficit in the series.
"I have not felt any inconvenience," Johnson said. "We have a big game tonight, and trying to continue to find a way to play closer to the standard and our identity than we have in the first two games. There's a lot going on, and I'd much rather be part of it than not."
The moment and the atmosphere will be another major test for star center Victor Wembanyama and a young roster, but Johnson has seen the Spurs answer challenges all year, and he's prepared for the team to do so again Monday.
"It's the makeup of the group," Johnson said. "It's no surprise. You still have to go do it. You still have to go execute. That doesn't mean you're always going to get the results you want. But this group is excited for the moment. This group will be ready to go."
Wembanyama growing more assertive among keys to victory
If the Spurs are going to notch their first win of the NBA Finals on Monday, star center Victor Wembanyama will need to be more assertive looking for his offense, particularly early in the game, writes beat reporter Jeff McDonald with the San Antonio Express-News.
Winning the crunch-time moments that have swung both games will also be key, and the Spurs should look to attack Karl-Anthony Towns in hopes that foul trouble keeps him from continuing the run of strong play that has him in the conversation as a possible Finals MVP.
Finals fashion: Spurs bring three unique looks to MSG
The Spurs arrived at Madison Square Garden on Monday night dressed for the moment.
Facing a must-win Game 3 against the Knicks, San Antonio's young stars showcased three distinct styles, from Victor Wembanyama's elevated denim ensemble to Stephon Castle's music-inspired streetwear and Dylan Harper's sleek luxury athleisure.
Spurs must continue to lock down on Jalen Brunson
Star guard Jalen Brunson has been a crunch-time standout for the Knicks, scoring 30 points in Game 1 and adding 20 in Game 2 to push New York to a pair of wins.
But San Antonio has limited Brunson to 33.9% overall shooting and a 23.5% mark from 3-point range with eight assists and eight turnovers. The Spurs will need to keep that pace up if they want to pull out a Game 3 win.
How to watch the game on TV
The Spurs are set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. Monday from Madison Square Garden in New York, with a broadcast on ABC. The game will also air on the radio on 1200 AM, or in Spanish on 1350 AM and 107.5 FM.
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