San Antonio Spurs defeat New York Knicks in Game 3, scores, Victor Wembanyama bounces back, clashes with Jalen Brunson, Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden

The San Antonio Spurs have ended a 4,377-day wait for an NBA Finals win, taking Game 3 from the New York Knicks 115–111 in a bruising, momentum-swinging contest at a packed Madison Square Garden.

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After dropping the first two games of the series, San Antonio again came out with purpose, exploding to an early double-digit lead. This time, though, they found a way to hold on when it mattered most, surviving a frantic finish to keep their season alive.

From the opening minutes, Victor Wembanyama set the tone. The Spurs raced ahead 14-5 behind his early dominance, with Wembanyama posting six points, a rebound, an assist and a block inside the first few minutes. He quickly stretched that to nine points on perfect shooting (4-of-4), looking far more assertive after criticism about his aggression coming into the game as he attacked the paint with confidence.

But the opening quarter wasn’t just about scoring. It got heated early. Wembanyama found himself in the middle of an early flashpoint with Jalen Brunson, appearing to shove him during a heated sequence that went uncalled in real time. The commentators weren’t convinced it should have been let go.

“That should be a flagrant one!” said NBA analyst Richard Jefferson, as replays showed contact that left the Knicks bench visibly frustrated.

The physical tone carried on. Josh Hart picked up a technical foul after reacting to contact from Luke Kornet, adding to the sense that this was quickly becoming more than just a basketball contest.

There were also early contributions elsewhere. Rookie Dylan Harper brought energy off the bench with four points and three rebounds, helping San Antonio maintain control through the opening burst.

By quarter-time, the Spurs were firmly in front at 33-22. They had 11 assists as a group, shot 58 per cent from the field and 57 per cent from three-point range (4-of-7), with Wembanyama finishing the first frame on nine points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

New York answered in familiar fashion. The Knicks, a team built on late surges and resilience, flipped the game in the second quarter with a 17-6 run. OG Anunoby led the charge as New York found rhythm offensively, feeding off a raucous home crowd that quickly believed momentum had shifted for good.

But San Antonio had a response of their own. Stephon Castle took over the second quarter stretch, catching fire with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting. His aggression downhill steadied the Spurs at a time when the game threatened to completely swing away, keeping them within striking distance when the Knicks looked set to run away with it.

There was also a highlight that snapped the crowd back into silence. De’Aaron Fox found Wembanyama on a perfectly timed alley-oop, the finish showing his reach and timing as he rose above the defence with ease.

Even so, New York closed the half with a 10-1 burst, turning what had been a 42-24 second-quarter advantage into a halftime lead. It was another reminder of their ability to swing games quickly, especially at home, with the Spurs again forced to regroup after losing control late in the period.

At the half, the conversation wasn’t just about the scoreboard. NBA legend Charles Barkley weighed in on the Spurs’ physical approach towards Brunson, suggesting it risked backfiring.

“There’s two things about this play. Number One, you got the lead and the ball. There’s no need for it. But you know what really p*ssed me off about the play, you have to know who you can intimidate on other teams.”

“you’re just going to p*ss Brunson off. You’re not going to intimidate Mr. Brunson, you’re just wasting fouls and giving them momentum”

Wembanyama was again central, setting the tone at both ends as the Spurs began to look more composed in a game that had been swinging wildly since tip-off.

New York’s situation worsened when Jalen Brunson picked up his fourth foul, forcing him to the bench while still sitting on 20 points, two rebounds and four assists. His absence came at a crucial stage, disrupting the Knicks’ offensive flow just as the game tightened.

From there, San Antonio began to edge ahead. A Stephon Castle three-pointer in the final stretch pushed the Spurs into a 111-104 lead, setting up a tense finish. Brunson answered immediately with a deep shot to keep New York alive, before De’Aaron Fox responded with a composed floater to restore breathing space.

OG Anunoby wasn’t done either, drilling another clutch three to cut the margin to two with seconds remaining and keeping the building on edge right to the finish.

There were chaotic moments layered into the closing stages as well. A controversial sequence involving Mitchell Robinson and Keldon Johnson saw a potential four-point play overturned after review, wiping points off the board but keeping San Antonio in front. Shortly after, an out-of-bounds challenge created confusion on both benches, with delayed decisions and a stoppage that briefly stalled the flow before the Spurs’ challenge was ultimately denied.

When play finally settled, it was San Antonio who held their nerve.

They closed out a 115-111 win, snapping the Knicks’ 13-game playoff winning streak and cutting the series to 2-1, while injecting real life back into what had looked like a one-sided Finals.

At the centre of it all was Wembanyama. He finished with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks on 11-of-18 shooting, delivering his most complete Finals performance yet. From the opening burst to the final possession, he set the tone, absorbed the pressure, and carried the Spurs through a game that swung on emotion, momentum and moments of chaos right to the end.

Re-live Game 3 in our live blog below. Can’t see the blog? Click here.

EARLIER

New York’s fabled Madison Square Garden went gone into virtual lockdown Monday as police implemented a tight security cordon around the venue where President Donald Trump is attending game three of the NBA Finals with his hometown Knicks.

Authorities have barred fans without tickets from coming within several blocks of the Manhattan venue, and have banned watch parties directly outside — a break from the first two playoff games, which drew jubilant crowds.

Officials have urged ticket holders to arrive at least two hours before the 8:30pm (10.30 AEST Tuesday) tip-off to clear airport-style security screening. Bags will not be permitted inside.

“The message is simple: celebrate the Knicks, but avoid the MSG area tonight if you do not have tickets for the game,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told a news conference.

Police downplayed broader security concerns after a stabbing late Sunday wounded six people at Penn Station, which sits beneath the venue. US media described the male suspect as emotionally disturbed with no terror links.

An AFP reporter on Monday saw a 10-foot (three-metre) fence around parts of Madison Square Garden and a heavy presence of Secret Service personnel charged with protecting the US president.

Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox said during San Antonio’s shoot around ahead of Game 3 that Trump’s presence was “inconvenient” given the added measures.

“I think the president being here just makes it inconvenient on everybody else,” Fox said.

“We got more security, our buses were a little early … we’re getting screened like it’s TSA. It’s a little inconvenient for the people that’s got to play, but it is what it is.”

Prominent NBA pundit Stephen A. Smith had earlier urged Trump to stay away.

“He’s coming to Game three of the Finals, and I don’t want him there. It has nothing to do with politics, policy, or anything like that. It has everything to do with him disrupting and contributing at the same time to the chaos that’s going to be existing at Madison Square Garden,” Smith said.

“If it were Barack Obama coming to the Garden, I would say, ‘Stay home.’ Stay at the White House … I have been covering sports for over 30 years. And I’m telling you right now, come Monday, for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, I expect to see an environment I have never seen in my entire career covering sports.”

Largely players declined the opportunity to talk about Trump’s attendance.

Knicks forward OG Anunoby tried to downplay any impact it will have on his team.

“He’ll just be there watching the game,” he said. “We’re going to go as usual, play our game, try to win the game.”

The players will be able to say little else as credentialed media have been denied access to the locker room for pre-game interviews for the first time this season.

Knicks fan Eric Velez, 45, said he planned to watch the game at a Manhattan bar because he did not have a ticket and could not get near the venue due to the security measures.

“It’s looking good so far. I’m nervous. Hopefully they do it this time,” Velez said ahead of the game.

– Packed venue –

The Knicks have a commanding 2-0 lead in the best of seven series against the San Antonio Spurs, and now the action shifts to the Big Apple for games three and four.

The team, chasing their first basketball championship since 1973, have whipped up a feverish following in the largest US city.

Ticket prices for Monday’s game are out of the reach of most New Yorkers, but the self-proclaimed “World’s Most Famous Arena” will still be packed to the rafters, with celebrity fans courtside.

Among those attending is New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who told reporters he paid nearly $1,000 for his tickets. He is not expected to watch alongside Trump.

The Secret Service plans to deploy counter-drone technology as part of its operation to protect the US leader, who has faced three alleged assassination attempts in less than two years.

Trump, a long-time Knicks fan, last visited Madison Square Garden in November 2024 to watch a UFC fight after his election victory. He earlier held a campaign rally at the venue.

“We all know what tonight means to New Yorkers who have been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this,” Special Agent Matt McCool told reporters.

“The Secret Service’s focus is straightforward: to ensure everyone attending the game can enjoy the game and have a safe experience, while we carry out our responsibility to protect the President of the United States.” The New York Police Department said it would not increase security specifically at Penn Station because of Sunday’s stabbing.

NYPD Chief Michael LiPetri said that hundreds of officers are assigned to the transit hub, adding that the deployment there “will not change in light of the incident yesterday.”