Spurs Beat Knicks 115-111 in NBA Finals Game 3 — Wembanyama Silences MSG
The Knicks' streak is over. The series just got interesting.
Victor Wembanyama delivered 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals as the San Antonio Spurs silenced Madison Square Garden with a 115-111 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Monday night. The win snaps the Knicks' remarkable 13-game postseason winning streak and cuts San Antonio's series deficit to 2-1. Game 4 is Wednesday at MSG.
Wembanyama Delivers Historic Performance at MSG
Wembanyama was the best player on the floor in the building where the Knicks' first Finals game since 1999 was being played. His performance made him only the second-youngest player in NBA history to post a 30-5-5 game in the Finals — joining Magic Johnson in that company.
Stephon Castle was equally crucial in crunch time, adding 23 points including a clutch three-pointer with under two minutes left and the game-clinching free throws with 6.8 seconds remaining to seal the win. The Spurs finished with 28 assists to New York's 18 and held a 21-7 advantage in points off turnovers — dominant execution in both phases.
After the win, Wembanyama kept it direct: "The job is absolutely not done. The hardest is yet to come."
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Brunson and Anunoby Fight Back — But It Wasn't Enough
The Knicks were not without their own star performances. Jalen Brunson matched Wembanyama with 32 points — though on 11-of-25 shooting — while OG Anunoby was outstanding with 28 points on an efficient 9-of-13 from the field.
But the rest of the Knicks went quiet where it mattered most. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns — both major contributors in San Antonio — were far quieter offensively on home court. New York had led by seven at halftime after a strong second quarter surge, but the Spurs outscored them by 11 in the second half to turn the game entirely.
The Knicks also lost the turnover battle badly — a key reason the Spurs were able to manufacture easy points in the second half and grind New York's momentum to a halt.
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Mike Brown Blasts Officiating — Spurs Shot 24 Free Throws to Knicks' 8 in Second Half
The biggest controversy of the night wasn't on the scoreboard. Knicks coach Mike Brown came out swinging at officials after the game, pointing to a staggering 24-8 free throw disparity in the second half in favour of San Antonio.
"There are a lot of things we can do better," Brown said. "But hopefully they will see some more fouls called against them, so it's not 24-8. This is a four-point ballgame. One-possession ballgame going down the stretch. It's tough to overcome." The disparity was one of the most discussed storylines coming out of the game — and with the series shifting back to MSG for Game 4 on Wednesday, the officiating conversation is far from over.
The Spurs, who began the Finals 0-2 and were widely written off, now have life. No team in NBA Finals history has ever come back from 0-2 to win the championship, but Wembanyama, Castle and their young roster have already proven they will not go quietly.
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Key Takeaways
- Spurs win Game 3 115-111 at Madison Square Garden — series now Knicks 2-1.
- Wembanyama posts 32-8-6 — second-youngest player ever with a 30-5-5 Finals game after Magic Johnson.
- Stephon Castle hits the clutch three and the game-sealing free throws late — 23 points.
- Knicks' 13-game playoff winning streak is over — Brunson (32) and Anunoby (28) couldn't do it alone.
- Spurs had a 21-7 advantage in points off turnovers and 28 assists to New York's 18.
- Mike Brown blasts officiating — Spurs shot 24 free throws to Knicks' 8 in the second half.
- Game 4 is Wednesday at Madison Square Garden — Knicks still lead the series.
