Spurs beat Knicks to cut NBA Finals deficit to 2-1

NEW YORK: Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game Three of the NBA Finals on Monday, trimming New York’s lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Wembanyama also contributed eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals at Madison Square Garden, which hosted its first NBA Finals game since 1999. The Knicks’ 13-game winning streak ended with the defeat, leaving them two short of the NBA playoff record of 15 set by Golden State during its 2017 title run.

The French star said the Spurs had done what they needed to do, but warned the task remained incomplete.

"We've done what we were supposed to do but the job is absolutely not done," the 22-year-old Wembanyama said. "We're not even halfway. The hardest is yet to come."

Wembanyama said the crowd atmosphere had made the challenge tougher for the visitors, comparing the home support to an extra man for New York. He added that San Antonio improved by cutting down mistakes and turnovers, saying the team had played with greater seriousness and control.

Stephon Castle added 23 points for the Spurs, while Dylan Harper scored 13 off the bench. Wembanyama praised Castle’s composure and described him as highly valuable to the team. Jalen Brunson led New York with 32 points and OG Anunoby had 28, but the Knicks finished 40-of-88 from the field and 13-of-37 from three-point range.

Wembanyama also pointed to sharper defensive communication as a key improvement. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said his side had played in attack mode and shown better poise, although he added there were still areas requiring improvement despite a stronger finish than in the opening two games.

New York coach Mike Brown criticized the officiating after the loss, while also acknowledging San Antonio had earned the result.

"They won the game. They came and took the game," Brown said. "But I will say this: I never thought I would be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free throw attempts in the second half to another team's eight. "That's tough to overcome when you're playing against a great team. "Maybe we were fouling. But they fouled, too. There were opportunities for fouls to be called to at least try to even the free throws out."

San Antonio moved ahead 111-104 with 1:53 left after a three-pointer from Castle. Anunoby made a free throw and Brunson followed with a three-pointer, but De'Aaron Fox hit a jump shot with 12.2 seconds remaining to give the Spurs a 113-108 lead. Anunoby responded with a three-pointer to cut the gap to two points before Castle made two free throws to secure the win.

The game was also marked by the attendance of US President Donald Trump, who was booed when shown on the arena video screen. Security arrangements were expanded for his visit, with fans asked to arrive two hours before tip-off and an outdoor watch party canceled.

Game Four will also be played in New York on Wednesday. The Spurs are chasing their sixth NBA title and first since 2014, while the Knicks are seeking their first championship since winning their only crowns in 1970 and 1973.