Victor Wembanyama turned in a stellar performance of 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 115-111 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, reducing the series deficit to 2-1.
After the painful defeat in the second match, marked by a decisive loss of the ball in the final moments, the young French star responded with authority and achieved his first victory in a Finals. Wembanyama was decisive especially in the last quarter, where he scored 10 points to keep New York’s comeback attempts at bay.
The Spurs avoided falling into a 3-0 hole, a situation no team has ever recovered from in Finals history. In addition to Wembanyama, Stephon Castle stood out, with 23 points, and De’Aaron Fox, who contributed key baskets in the decisive minutes.
The match, played in a packed Madison Square Garden, ended the Knicks’ impressive streak of 13 consecutive victories in these playoffs, the second longest in NBA postseason history. The New York team also suffered its first defeat in 46 days.
Jalen Brunson once again led the Knicks with 32 points, while OG Anunoby added 28. However, the poor offensive production of Karl-Anthony Towns, limited to 11 points, and Mikal Bridges’ foul problems complicated the home team’s performance.
San Antonio started strong and led by double digits in the first quarter thanks to the dominance of Wembanyama. The Knicks reacted before halftime and went into the intermission up 64-57, but the visitors regained control in the second half.
A three-pointer by Castle with 1:53 remaining put the Spurs up by seven points and ended up being decisive. Although Anunoby brought the Knicks closer with a three-pointer in the final seconds, two free throws by Castle sealed the Texan victory.
The series will continue this Wednesday with the fourth game, again in San Antonio, where the Spurs will seek to equalize a Finals that seemed to be clearly leaning towards New York. The Knicks, for their part, maintain the lead, but now face unexpected pressure as they try to win their first championship since 1973.
