Pinched myself. Still awake. Here we go.
The Knicks return to Madison Square Garden tonight for Game Three of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. The Knicks have won 13 straight games and are two wins from their first championship since 1973, while the Spurs face a 3-0 series deficit from which no team has ever recovered.
Our heroes won Game Two, 105-104, on Friday at Frost Bank Center. The score looks close because it was close. Skin-of-their-teeth close. Karl-Anthony
Towns led New York with a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Mikal Bridges added 20 points, but it was Jalen Brunson’s late bucket and steal, plus costly mistakes by Victor Wembanyama, that held off a 14-0 fourth-quarter run by the Spurs.
Wembanyama finished with 29 points, but the game flipped when Towns attacked him steadily. Also, Wemby attempting just four field goals in the first half was remarkable (hence, I’m remarking on it). To his credit, Wembanyama showed leadership after intermission and rallied his troops to near victory. If not for his backbreaking pass (into the back of Stephon Castle) and his final brick . . . the Knicks would be in a very different position coming home tonight.
You heard that the Knicks gave up too many picks to get Bridges? Pshaw. He has proven himself worthy of the trade in these playoffs. In Game Two, Bridges was on such a heater that every time he rose to shoot, we were sure it was money. With the city gone Knicks-crazy, expect the Brooklyn Bridge to be renamed the Mikal Bridge if they win the championship. Appropriate, given that he crossed it to join us.
New York’s supporting cast keeps showing up. Landry Shamet keeps hitting huge, steeply discounted shots. Josh Hart did Hart things (fewer than in Game One, but totally fine). OG Anunoby made momentum-changing defensive plays, and his dunk on Wemby should be on a poster in your bedroom. Miles “Deuce” McBride made a couple of timely shots. Everyone’s showing up for the party! Jordan Clarkson is due for a few minutes in the limelight tonight.
Fun fact: the Knicks have not lost a third quarter in 16 straight playoff games. Either Coach Brown and his staff are making excellent halftime adjustments, or the players are hitting the go-go powder before returning to the court. Whatever works!
The Spurs’ expected starting five tonight: Julian Champagnie (40% from three in the Finals), Devin Vassell (five assists, nine rebounds in Game Two), Victor Wembanyama (29 points, nine rebounds, four blocks in Game Two), De’Aaron Fox (20 points, five assists, 63% FG in Game Two), and Stephon Castle (14 points, four assists in Game Two). Castle rolled an ankle late in the last game but is expected to be available. Fox continues to play through a high-ankle sprain. Both teams are otherwise healthy.
Three factors will likely decide the game. First, Towns must continue to dominate Wembanyama and avoid foul trouble. Second, the Knicks need to limit turnovers after committing 15 in Game Two. Third, they must keep up the pace to tire out the lanky Frenchman, while also not tiring themselves out. ESPN gives the Knicks a 58% chance. Fair enough. We’re picking the Knicks by eight.
Because my wife got so excited watching the first game, she joined me to watch the final quarter on Friday. She squealed through most of it. I might’ve squealed a little, too. After the final buzzer, as Wemby was leaving the court, Jen said to my horror, “I feel bad for him. And the fans! They all look so sad!”
She doesn’t understand. No one has ever cared for Knicks fans. I picked New York to win the Finals in six games, but now it feels like they have to sweep to finally get the respect they deserve. Anything less will be tagged with disclaimers—that Games One and Two were given away by the Spurs, and Fox was injured, and blah blah blah. As for sympathy: the Knickerbockers will never get any sympathy if they screw the pooch and lose the series. No one would cry for our heartbreak. They’d just laugh with the usual derision and say, LOLKnicks. So, I say let’s sweep to avoid any misery and squash any potential qualifying narratives.
Go Knicks!!!
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (2-0) at San Antonio Spurs (0-2)
Date: Monday, June 8, 2026
Time: 8:30 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NY
TV: ABC
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
