Wembanyama fires up the Spurs as San Antonio climbs back into the series
This time, Victor Wembanyama showed up. With their backs against the wall after two defeats in Texas, the Spurs were already out of room for error when they walked into Madison Square Garden. Instead, they leave New York with a huge win (115-111) and an NBA Finals that’s suddenly wide open again.
San Antonio needed a leader. Their franchise player gave them much more than that. With 32 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, the Frenchman produced his best performance of the series and, in the process, picked up his first career win on the biggest stage in basketball.
At just 22, Wembanyama also becomes the youngest player since Magic Johnson to clear 30 points in an NBA Finals game. It’s a major statement from the man carrying so much of Texas’s hopes on his shoulders.
The Spurs refused to fold
As in the first two games, San Antonio came flying out of the blocks. Stephon Castle immediately put pressure on New York’s defense while Wembanyama finally used his size and mobility around the rim to set the tone. Still, it looked like the game might tilt the Knicks’ way again. More patient, more methodical, Mike Brown’s side gradually wrestled back control before the break. Jalen Brunson steered the comeback and New York went into halftime with the lead.
That’s usually where the Spurs have wilted in this series. Not this time. The visitors brought back the edge on defense, challenged every possession and slowed New York’s pace. Bit by bit, the gap closed until the Texans took over in a much more controlled second half. Stephon Castle stepped up again when it mattered, while Dylan Harper brought his usual burst of energy. De’Aaron Fox, quiet for long stretches, then buried a huge shot in the final minute to fend off one last Knicks push.
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New York loses its grip, San Antonio gets hope
Kept afloat for long spells by an excellent OG Anunoby, who finished with 28 points and made his presence felt at both ends of the floor, the Knicks eventually ran out of answers in the clutch. Karl-Anthony Towns never really found his rhythm, and Jalen Brunson was often left to carry the offense on his own. Even when the All-Star guard, who scored 32 points, blew the roof off Madison Square Garden with a three-pointer inside the final 30 seconds, San Antonio never blinked.
Fox and then Castle were ice-cold from the line to seal a win that completely changes the feel of the series. Down 2-0 just days ago, the Texans needed a statement game to stay alive. They found it at exactly the right time. With a dominant Victor Wembanyama finally embracing the spotlight, San Antonio gets back to 2-1 and has every reason to believe again.
Game 4, which takes place overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, looks set to be a thriller.
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