The San Antonio Spurs have taken Game 3 of the NBA Finals on the road. They beat the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden by a score of 115 to 111. The win gave the Spurs new life in the series. It also ended a long winning run for their opponents.
The result carried extra weight for the Knicks. The defeat snapped their 13-game playoff win streak. It came in front of their own crowd at Madison Square Garden. The game was also notable as the first NBA Finals game at the venue since 1999.
San Antonio's young star led the way. Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points in the game. It was his first Finals appearance at Madison Square Garden. His performance was central to the road win.
The Knicks had their own high scorer on the night. Jalen Brunson also finished with 32 points. He kept New York within reach for much of the contest. His effort, however, was not enough to secure the win.
The game was physical from start to finish. Players battled on nearly every possession. Josh Hart picked up a technical foul after a dust-up with Luke Kornet. A non-call between Wembanyama and Brunson also raised eyebrows.
New York pushed hard late in the contest. The Knicks mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter. OG Anunoby knocked down a three-pointer from the corner. Despite the rally, San Antonio held on for the win.
The night drew attention beyond the court. President Trump attended the game, becoming the first sitting president at an NBA Finals game, and was booed during the national anthem. Celebrity row included Spike Lee, Timothee Chalamet and Ben Stiller. Outside the arena, a chaotic scene led police to use pepper spray and make several arrests, with the teams now turning to a critical Game 4.