SAN ANTONIO Spurs kept their championship hopes alive after defeating New York Knicks, 115-111, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Victor Wembanyama delivered a dominant performance with 32 points, eight rebounds, and six assists to help San Antonio secure its first victory of the series and cut New York’s lead to 2-1.
The win ended the Knicks’ remarkable 13-game playoff winning streak and marked their first defeat since April 23, when they dropped Game 3 of their opening-round matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.
San Antonio entered the contest facing the possibility of falling into a 3-0 series hole, a deficit no team in NBA history has ever overcome in the Finals. Instead, the Spurs responded with a crucial road victory to put themselves back in contention.
Stephon Castle contributed 23 points, while De’Aaron Fox came through with 12 markers, including a key step-back jumper late in the game that helped seal the win for the visitors.
Filipino-American guard Dylan Harper also made his presence felt for the Spurs with 13 points, while Julian Champagnie and Devin Vassell ended with 12 and 11, respectively.
The victory also guarantees San Antonio at least one more home game in the Finals, with Game 5 scheduled to be played in Texas should the series continue as expected.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 32 points, while OG Anunoby added 28 markers. Despite the setback, New York remains in control of the series heading into Game 4.
The loss denied New York an opportunity to move within one win of capturing its first NBA championship since 1973.
Game 4 is set for Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) still in New York, where the Spurs will look to level the best-of-seven championship series at two games apiece./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN ANTONIO 115 — Wembanyama 32, Castle 23, Harper 13, Champagnie 12, Fox 12, Vassell 11, Johnson 7, Bryant 3, Kornet 2.
NEW YORK 111 — Brunson 32, Anunoby 28, Hart 16, Towns 11, Clarkson 10, Robinson 5, Alvarado 4, Shamet 3, Bridges 2, McBride 0, Sochan 0.
Quarterscores: 33-22; 57-64; 92-91; 115-111.
