Coming off a heartbreaking Game 2 loss, the Spurs traveled to Madison Square Garden with a 0-2 deficit vs the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. No team in NBA history has come back down 3-0 in a series, so the Spurs knew they had to play with extreme desperation. Like the first two games, the Spurs dominated the first quarter. This time, they outscored the Knicks 33-22. In the second, the Knicks and Spurs switched roles. The Knicks outscored the Spurs 42-24 in the quarter, and the Spurs faced a seven-point
deficit. The Spurs fought back in the third, and their defense started to frustrate the Knicks’ offense. They took a one-point lead into the fourth, with their season on the line.
The Spurs’ defense continued to buckle down, and clutch plays were provided by Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox in the last several minutes. Despite a comeback attempt from the Knicks, Castle drained a crucial shot clock buzzer-beating 30-footer to give the Spurs a seven-point lead with 1:53 remaining. With the lead down to three, Fox drained a clutch stepback jumper to put the Spurs back up by 5 with 12 seconds left. OG Anunoby drained a clutch three from the corner, and Castle was fouled on the ensuing inbounds pass. The 21-year-old drained clutch free throws and shut down the Knicks on the next possession. The Spurs ultimately won 115-111, and now trail the series 2-1.
Victor Wembanyama led the way with 32 points (11-18 FG, 8-9 FT), eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals. After having the worst turnover of his career and the missed game-winner in Game 2, Wemby said that he would use it as fuel for Game 3. He turned in his best game of the Finals so far. The Spurs made it a point of emphasis to get him involved in the paint early, and his buckets came off lobs and paint touches. He’s now averaging 29 points per game and about 10 rebounds with three blocks. In his first Finals at 22, Wemby has played better each game, and he does not appear to be slowing down.
On the board! Fox drives into the paint and floats it up for Wemby to throw it down for the first points of the game!
CAUTION: APPROACHING AREA 51. Castle sees Wemby seal off Anunoby and dishes it to him for the easy slam!
AND ONE! Wemby uses his patience and fights through contact for the and-one finish!
STEPBACK TREY! Wemby catches and steps back behind the three-point line for the trey ball!
LOB CITY! Fox and Wemby run the P&R to perfection as Wemby finishes the lob with one hand!
Makes it look easy! Wemby catches the pass off the screen and faces Karl-Anthony Towns up for the midrange jumper!
Outsmarting the defense! Wemby fakes the three and finds a cutting Keldon Johnson, who finishes with patience!
AREA 51 PART TWO. Steph finds a cutting Wemby for the alley-oop slam connection!
GET THAT OUTTA HERE! Wemby swats Landry Shamet’s layup off the glass late in the fourth!
Here’s the rest of Wemby’s Twitter/X highlights
Stephon Castle dropped 23 points (8-14 FG, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block. Steph was on fire in the first half, dropping 18 of his 23 in the first two quarters. He was driving to the cup with toughness and ease, with even finishing through uncalled contact multiple times. His defense also remains disciplined (for the most part) and impressive. As mentioned before, the 21-year-old was unbelievably clutch down the stretch. He drained a bailout three-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer and swished two clutch free throws to seal the game. After struggling from the field in Games 1 and 2, this is a welcome sight for him and Spurs fans worldwide.
HOW?! Steph drains the tough midrange jumper over Josh Hart!
CRAFTY AND-ONE! Steph crosses over Mikal Bridges and eurosteps into the paint for the and-one finish!
Another drive, another finish! Steph uses the eurostep to the other side and finishes over Hart!
Here’s all of Steph’s buckets from his red hot first half!
CLUTCH. With the shot clock winding down, Steph nails a clutch deep three to provide more cushion!
Dylan Harper dropped 13 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Even though Dylan struggled from the field, his impact on drives and on the boards was tremendous. The 20-year-old rookie continues to play like an experienced veteran every time he’s on the court. His finishing ability has fans comparing his game to other all-star guards around the league. He has been the Spurs’ best player off the bench this entire playoff run, and he continues to get extended playing time during these Finals.
Smooth as silk! Dylan splits two defenders and glides to the cup for an easy layup!
DYLAN POSTER! Dylan gets free off the Luke Kornet screen and posterizes Anunoby!
Floatin’! Dylan drives into the paint and glides again for another finish at the rim!
Transition three! Dylan leads a three-on-one fastbreak and finds an open Devin Vassell, who knocks down the three!
BIG BOY BUCKET! Dylan drives in on KAT and finishes over him!
DIMER! Dylan rifles a pass to a wide-open Julian Champagnie for the three at the top of the key!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 12 points, eight assists, three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Fox struggled shooting the ball all game, but he made an impact defensively. He got a crucial block on KAT and stayed active on rotations. When it mattered most, Fox drained his most clutch bucket in a Spurs uniform with 12 seconds left to put the Spurs up by five. For all the criticism this man has received throughout the season, including the playoffs, moments like these are why he gets paid the big bucks.
What an amazing response from this young team. After being down 0-2, they could have easily thrown in the towel, given the odds and how they’re stacked against them. Instead, this team locked in defensively and got clutch performances from their top players. The confidence this team exudes is infectious and has reached its fanbase. With winning one on the road, the door is wide open for the Spurs to even this series and put the pressure back on New York.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs have a chance to tie up the series this Wednesday back in MSG at 7:30 P.M. (CST) on ABC.
