The Spurs have a Finals win. San Antonio beat the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, trimming New York's series lead to 2-1.
Victor Wembanyama led the response with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocks. He shot 11-of-18 from the floor and 8-of-9 at the free-throw line. San Antonio had been down by 12 and entered halftime trailing by six.
The young Spurs did not fade. Stephon Castle finished with 23 points, five rebounds and five assists, becoming part of the first teammate duo aged 22 or younger to each score 20 or more in an NBA Finals game. Wembanyama was the other half. De'Aaron Fox added 21 points and made a jumper with 12 seconds left that stretched the lead to five.
New York received 32 points from Jalen Brunson and 28 from OG Anunoby. The Knicks carried the early advantage, but they scored only 20 points in the fourth quarter and could not recover in the final possessions.
The defeat snapped New York's 13-game postseason winning streak. It was also the Knicks' first loss in 46 days and their first home loss of these playoffs after eight consecutive wins at Madison Square Garden.
A 3-0 lead was within reach for New York. No NBA team has ever come back from that margin. San Antonio avoided it, forced the series back to Texas for at least a fifth game and can tie the Finals in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.
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