The San Antonio Spurs finally defeated the red-hot New York Knicks, snapping their 13-game winning streak in the playoffs with a 115-111 victory at Madison Square Garden.
Victor Wembanyama had his finest scoring effort of the series, totaling 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. Stephon Castle, his teammate, also scored 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists, including key free throws to increase his club’s lead late in the game.
Jalen Brunson once again led his team, tying Wemby’s 32-point effort while also dishing out five assists and grabbing five boards. Karl-Anthony Towns, who had been outstanding in the first few games, scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Towns’ coach, Mike Brown, was reported to be upset with the officiating’s unevenness, especially the free-throw disparity in the second half, during the postgame media session. However, Towns disagreed with his coach’s analysis of what caused the Knicks to lose the game.
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Nah, the officiating didn’t cost us the game. Turned the ball over. Did not execute. Didn’t do what earned us victories in 13 consecutive games, Towns stated to reporters. That’s how you lose a game. We didn’t do what we had been doing for the previous 13 years.
Towns identified “throwing the ball away” as a serious flaw for his side. The Knicks had thirteen turnovers, whereas the Spurs had eight. San Antonio also took advantage of the Knicks’ turnovers, scoring 21 points off of them.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown spoke at length about how he rarely complains about officiating, but questioned why the Spurs got 24 free throws in the second half to his team’s eight.
Brunson committed the majority of turnovers with five, while Towns had only one. However, Brunson, Towns, Mikal Bridges, and reserve Landry Shamet all got into foul trouble, earning four or more personal fouls.
The Spurs undoubtedly had a better performance, and they may have regained some momentum with a big win at what is considered the biggest basketball arena. The Madison Square Garden spectators were filled with Knicks superfans and other notables who attended Game 3.
Celebrities such as Ben Stiller, Tracy Morgan, and Spike Lee, as well as musician Jay Z and actors Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, were among those who watched the Knicks lose.
With Game 3 of the NBA Finals taking place at MSG at 8:30 p. m. ET on Wednesday, the Knicks currently lead the series 1-2.
