NBA Finals Game 3 live takeaways: Spurs start strong, Knicks battle back

The New York Knicks hosted Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026, marking the first Finals appearance at the venue in 27 years. President Donald J. Trump attended the game as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan, amid record-breaking ticket prices. The Spurs entered the game with a desperate energy, prioritizing paint-focused offense after struggling with shot selection in Games 1 and 2. Star player Victor Wembanyama led the charge, scoring in the paint on his first four attempts, while guards De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper also drove aggressively. By the second quarter, the Spurs shot 9-of-20 (45.0%) from the field, a significant improvement from earlier games. The Knicks started slowly, committing 11 turnovers through three quarters compared to the Spurs’ six, though they recovered with an 11-2 run in the second quarter. New York’s defense improved, forcing Spurs into 19 points off turnovers while the Knicks converted just five. Their fast-break opportunities gave them a 9-0 edge in transition plays by halftime. Despite the turnovers, the Knicks outscored the Spurs 18-0 in the second quarter, closing it on a 14-3 run. However, ball protection remained a critical issue, as the Spurs capitalized on Knicks mistakes to stay competitive. The game highlighted the Spurs’ resilience and the Knicks’ need for tighter execution to avoid a historic 3-0 deficit.