The San Antonio Spurs cut into the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals lead with a 115-111 win in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Monday, June 8.
Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals. NBA.com reported that Stephon Castle added 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists as the Spurs won their first game of the series.
The Knicks still lead the Finals 2-1. Jalen Brunson scored 32 points for New York, while OG Anunoby helped keep the Knicks close in the fourth quarter.
The game also brought President Donald Trump, extra security, canceled outdoor watch parties, and a packed celebrity crowd to the Garden on the Knicks’ first home Finals night since 1999.
Wembanyama Put the Spurs Back in the Series
San Antonio needed a road win after dropping the first two games at home, and Wembanyama gave the Spurs their best game of the series. NBA.com reported that he became the second-youngest player to record a 30-5-5 game in the NBA Finals, behind Magic Johnson.
Castle gave San Antonio another strong scoring night, and De’Aaron Fox hit a late three after Brunson and Anunoby had cut into the Spurs’ lead. The Guardian reported that Castle’s free throws helped close out the win after New York’s final push.
The Spurs also won key possession numbers. NBA.com noted that San Antonio had 28 assists to New York’s 18 and a 21-7 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Knicks Still Lead 2-1
New York entered Game 3 with a chance to take a 3-0 Finals lead in front of its home crowd. Instead, the Knicks lost for the first time since April 23, according to People.
People reported that the Spurs’ win guarantees at least a Game 5. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, at Madison Square Garden, and Game 5 is set for Saturday, June 13, in San Antonio.
The Spurs are trying to become the first team to win the NBA Finals after losing the first two games at home. The Knicks are trying to win their first championship since 1973.
Trump’s Attendance Changed Security Around the Garden
Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game. Reuters reported that he appeared at Madison Square Garden as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan and was booed when shown on the arena screen during the national anthem.
People reported that the NBA announced extra security measures before the game, including TSA-style screening and a strict no-bag policy. Outdoor watch parties near the Garden were canceled because of security concerns.
Reuters reported that pedestrian traffic around the arena was restricted and that some ticket holders dealt with slower entry because of the security setup.
The Courtside Crowd Was Full of New York Regulars
Business Insider reported that Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Timothée Chalamet, Spike Lee, Jeremy Lin, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jay-Z, Derek Jeter, Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, Larry David, Robert Kraft, and David Zaslav were among the notable names at Game 3.
Spike Lee, Stiller, and Chalamet had also traveled to San Antonio for the first two games of the series, according to Business Insider.
San Antonio now has one win in New York. The Knicks still have the series lead and another home game before the Finals return to Texas.