Spurs Breathe Life Into NBA Finals with Vital Game 3 Win in New York
The San Antonio Spurs kept their NBA championship hopes alive on Monday night, defeating the New York Knicks 115-111 at Madison Square Garden to cut the NBA Finals series deficit to 2-1 and ensure the battle for the Larry O’Brien Trophy will return to Texas.
Facing the prospect of falling into a near-impossible 3-0 hole, the Spurs delivered when it mattered most, becoming the latest road team to prevail in a series that has surprisingly been dominated by visitors.
The result guarantees at least five games in the best-of-seven Finals and gives San Antonio renewed belief heading into Game 4 on Wednesday.
Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs’ response with a commanding performance, finishing with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocks.
The French star, who endured mixed fortunes in the opening two games, looked far more comfortable as he dictated play at both ends of the floor.
I’m sure Victor has numerous sources of motivation,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I don’t think any of us are surprised or expect anything different than a strong performance and him being on his front foot in terms of being in attack mode.”
Wembanyama credited improved communication and execution for San Antonio’s turnaround after two home defeats to begin the series.
Knowing our coverages. Knowing our plays on defense, knowing our plays on offense. Being there early and letting our teammates know what to do if we see things.”
De’Aaron Fox also came up big for the Spurs, knocking down a crucial late jumper that helped extinguish New York’s comeback hopes in front of a disappointed Garden crowd.
The defeat was a frustrating one for the Knicks, who failed to build on a strong second quarter and managed just 47 points after halftime. Head coach Mike Brown criticised his team’s offensive approach and questioned the significant free-throw disparity that favoured San Antonio in the second half. “I never thought I would be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free throw attempts in the second half to another team’s eight,” Brown said. “Maybe we were fouling. But they fouled, too.”
While the Knicks still hold a 2-1 advantage, the Spurs have shifted the momentum of the series and prevented New York from having a chance to clinch the title in Game 4.
Another San Antonio victory would level the Finals before the series heads back to the Frost Bank Center for Game 5.
For now, the Spurs have given themselves a lifeline and turned what looked like a one-sided Finals into a contest once again.