The San Antonio Spurs delivered a crucial road victory on Monday night, defeating the New York Knicks 115-111 at Madison Square Garden in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Victor Wembanyama led the charge with 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists, helping his team snap the Knicks’ impressive 13-game playoff winning streak. Despite the loss, New York still holds a 2-1 series lead, but the momentum has shifted as the home team curse in this Finals continues—no host venue has secured a win yet.
The victory came at a critical moment for San Antonio, which needed to respond after a heartbreaking Game 2 loss where Wembanyama missed the potential winning shot. The young star made amends with a dominant performance, while teammates De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle provided clutch scoring down the stretch. The Spurs’ defensive intensity in the fourth quarter proved decisive, holding the Knicks to just 2-of-12 from three-point range in the final period.
Spurs establish early dominance before Knicks rally
San Antonio came out with clear determination to set the tone, building an 11-point lead after the first quarter. Wembanyama scored nine points on efficient 4-of-6 shooting, while Castle contributed seven points on a perfect 3-of-3 from the field. The Spurs’ aggressive start silenced the sold-out Madison Square Garden crowd and put immediate pressure on the home team. However, New York demonstrated the resilience that defined their 13-game winning streak. The Knicks gradually found their rhythm in the second quarter, using the energy of their home fans to fuel a comeback. OG Anunoby caught fire with 17 first-half points on 5-of-6 shooting, including two three-pointers and five made free throws. Jalen Brunson added 15 points, while Josh Hart exploited the Spurs’ defensive strategy of leaving him open, draining multiple three-pointers for 13 points. By halftime, the momentum had completely swung—New York took a 64-57 lead into the break.
Defensive adjustments fuel Spurs’ third-quarter response
The second half began with San Antonio showing the same intensity that marked their opening quarter. The Spurs forced turnovers and capitalized on transition opportunities, quickly erasing their seven-point deficit. Their defensive adjustments limited the Knicks’ three-point opportunities and forced New York into contested mid-range shots. Both teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter in what became a physical, back-and-forth battle. Neither squad could establish a comfortable lead as the intensity increased. San Antonio managed to edge ahead by the end of the period, taking a slim one-point advantage into the fourth quarter. The stage was set for a heavyweight bout in the final 12 minutes at “The Mecca.”
Castle and Fox deliver clutch baskets in decisive fourth quarter
The fourth quarter saw the Spurs finally maintain their lead, something they had struggled to do in previous games. New York quickly fell into foul trouble, allowing San Antonio to enter the bonus early. Wembanyama took full advantage, converting free throws at critical moments while the Knicks went cold from the field. The Spurs extended their lead to eight points with 4:50 remaining after Wembanyama sank two more free throws. San Antonio’s defense rose to the occasion repeatedly. The defining defensive sequence came when the Knicks attempted to swing the ball around the arc for a three-point attempt, but the Spurs closed out on every shot opportunity. The possession ended with Wembanyama swatting away Landry Shamet’s layup attempt, drawing roars from the visiting fans in attendance.
Stephon Castle delivered the first crucial basket with 1:53 left, burying a deep three-pointer from the wing with a defender in his face. The shot clock was winding down when Wembanyama passed him the ball, and Castle’s clutch make extended the lead to seven at a moment when New York had momentum. Brunson responded with the Knicks’ first three-pointer of the quarter, cutting the deficit to three points. But Fox answered immediately with a 15-foot stepback jumper with 12.2 seconds remaining that appeared to seal the victory. Anunoby, who finished with 28 points on 9-of-12 shooting, kept New York’s hopes alive with a three-pointer following a timeout, cutting the margin to two with 9.4 seconds left. Castle calmly sank both free throws to close the door and secure the win for San Antonio.
Balanced scoring and presidential presence mark eventful night
Castle finished with an impressive 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, adding five rebounds and five assists to his stat line. Every Spurs starter reached double figures in scoring, demonstrating the balanced attack that coach Mitch Johnson had emphasized. Dylan Harper contributed 13 points off the bench on 18 shot attempts, providing valuable minutes in San Antonio’s rotation. For New York, Shamet’s struggles stood out—he managed just 1-of-8 from the field, including 1-of-7 from three-point range, an area where he had thrived throughout the playoffs. His cold shooting in a close game proved costly for the Knicks.
- Wembanyama posted 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the victory.
- Castle added 23 points with clutch three-pointer and free throws late.
- Anunoby led New York with 28 points on efficient 9-of-12 shooting.
- Knicks shot just 2-of-12 from three-point range in the fourth quarter.
- President Donald Trump attended the game, sitting with Knicks owner James Dolan.
The game took place with President Donald Trump in attendance, seated in a suite alongside Knicks owner James Dolan. The presidential presence led to heightened security measures around Madison Square Garden throughout the afternoon and evening, with Secret Service, TSA and NYPD transforming the venue into a fortress. Game 4 of the NBA Finals will tip off Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden, with the Knicks looking to regain momentum and the Spurs aiming to even the series at 2-2. The home team curse remains intact—no Finals host has won in their building yet this series.
